To be sure, there are no impersonal forces at work in God's universe such as fate, luck, chance or fortune. Fate is impersonal; God is personal. Luck is dumb; God is omniscient. Fortune is blind; God sees all. Prov. 16:33 is quoted: "The lot is cast unto the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD." Yes, God rules over all and doesn't leave anything to chance (which doesn't exist as a force, but only as a mathematical possibility); so worshiping at the idol of chance is insulting to our Maker's providence and sovereignty. In essence, we are testing God and our desire to get rich is clearly condemned.
I don't want to deflate someone's balloon, or a good thing going, but gambling can be a serious sin. Gambling per se is not sinning--that is, it is not specifically prohibited by Scripture--but, like smoking is a bad habit or way of life to succumb to and Paul certainly didn't want any undisciplined lifestyle (cf. 1 Cor 6:12: "...but I will not be mastered by anything"). What may be a sin for me, with greater light, may not be for someone else ("anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins"). Today we have people whose retirement plan is to win the lottery! Many poor people who can't afford to gamble are using good money to gamble and hoping to strike it rich. Some idle rich who have nothing better to do gamble for the fun of it not realizing that God will make them give an account someday. I realize that modern society is based on greed and gambling in the market, but you cannot equate the evil of a casino to the capitalistic system that is necessary.
There is a necessary risk, and then there's uncalled for risk that is unwise. There might be a little wiggle room for "penny machines" for amusement and blowing hard-earned cash--well, as they say easy come easy go. Many simply do not respect the value of a dollar! We are merely stewards of what God has entrusted us with and we don't own anything ("For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," says Ps. 24:1).
The big question to ask is whether Jesus would gamble. What would Jesus do? Making honest money is not evil: Wesley said to make as much as you can, save as much as you can, and give away as much as you can. It is in serving money (not using money) and loving it as an idol--anything that takes the place of God--that is evil. There are extenuating circumstances, of course, and you can't absolutely build an anti-gambling case from the Bible (you have to deduct or infer it). Obviously, playing penny poker or penny machines is trivial and a diversion for some.
But the most important aspect is being a responsible steward with our blessings. It all belongs to God and He lets us use it. I do not condemn Indians for owning casinos, because there are those that know what they are doing, and you don't throw away the baby with the bathwater. I also wonder about the dependence of governments on gambling revenue, whether it is moral. Soli Deo Gloria!
I don't want to deflate someone's balloon, or a good thing going, but gambling can be a serious sin. Gambling per se is not sinning--that is, it is not specifically prohibited by Scripture--but, like smoking is a bad habit or way of life to succumb to and Paul certainly didn't want any undisciplined lifestyle (cf. 1 Cor 6:12: "...but I will not be mastered by anything"). What may be a sin for me, with greater light, may not be for someone else ("anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins"). Today we have people whose retirement plan is to win the lottery! Many poor people who can't afford to gamble are using good money to gamble and hoping to strike it rich. Some idle rich who have nothing better to do gamble for the fun of it not realizing that God will make them give an account someday. I realize that modern society is based on greed and gambling in the market, but you cannot equate the evil of a casino to the capitalistic system that is necessary.
There is a necessary risk, and then there's uncalled for risk that is unwise. There might be a little wiggle room for "penny machines" for amusement and blowing hard-earned cash--well, as they say easy come easy go. Many simply do not respect the value of a dollar! We are merely stewards of what God has entrusted us with and we don't own anything ("For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," says Ps. 24:1).
The big question to ask is whether Jesus would gamble. What would Jesus do? Making honest money is not evil: Wesley said to make as much as you can, save as much as you can, and give away as much as you can. It is in serving money (not using money) and loving it as an idol--anything that takes the place of God--that is evil. There are extenuating circumstances, of course, and you can't absolutely build an anti-gambling case from the Bible (you have to deduct or infer it). Obviously, playing penny poker or penny machines is trivial and a diversion for some.
But the most important aspect is being a responsible steward with our blessings. It all belongs to God and He lets us use it. I do not condemn Indians for owning casinos, because there are those that know what they are doing, and you don't throw away the baby with the bathwater. I also wonder about the dependence of governments on gambling revenue, whether it is moral. Soli Deo Gloria!
You covered it pretty well and I mostly agree. I would have to think about whether Indian Casinos are the best choice for their nation to get out of poverty.
ReplyDeleteThe sad thing is that the vast majority of Indians are in poverty despite casinos and gaming. The profits are not equitably shared, as was the original intent--a few are indeed getting rich though.
DeleteIs gambling sin? Can you support that with biblical text? Sometimes we confuse the symptoms of sin with their root. For example poor financial stewardship sometimes is visible through the outward appearance of gambling. Is it the gambling that is sinful, or the lack of proper stewardship of Gods gifts and blessings? In another person this same sin could be manifest in compulsive shopping or an overpowering desire to have the finest clothes or the best car. Does that mean having a nice car or fine clothes is a sin that should be banished?
ReplyDeleteThere isn't much in Scripture to make an anti-gambling case on, but basically we are talking about stewardship,which is highly individualized. Our society is bent on materialism, which is a form of idolatry. Having a nice car is not sin per se, but you must possess your possessions, and not let them rule you (cf. Obadiah 17). We are to dress modestly, even if we are wealthy. Nothing is to be for "show" only, but to the glory of God. After all, we are not working for Buddha but for the King of Kings, who owns it all. Compulsive shopping is a weakness, that may indicate another underlying weakness or personality flaw that needs to be unlearned.
DeleteInteresting viewpoint! For myself, I believe trading in derivatives is sin because it is gambling with other people's money and expecting someone else to cover any bad bets. That's exactly what the big banks did under what should be the honorable name "capitalism."
ReplyDeleteAgreed, capitalism is a system for sinners who are motivated by greed. God recognizes this and we are to be in the world but not of it. Anything for a profit or the "bottom line" is evil and God always looks at the motives (Prov. 16:2).
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