What the Bible has to Say About Gambling (Part 2)
Introduction:
Each compulsive gambler costs society an average of $9,469 per year in economic losses. This is devised from considering employment losses, unpaid debts, civil court costs, thefts, arrests, trials, probation, incarceration, therapy, and welfare. Some estimates claim the number to be nearly $50,000 per year.
There are many good biblical reasons why we should say “No MO Gambling”:
THE BIBLE PROMOTES GOOD STEWARDSHIP AGAINST GAMBLING
Gambling undermines good stewardship. Christians are to put their trust in God for their financial resources, not in blind fate such as gambling. Ultimately, all things belong to God and we are His stewards (Psalm 24:1). We are to handle his resources wisely and gratefully. I do not think God wants his money put to the gambler’s wheel.
The New Testament teaches that we first give ourselves to God (2 Corinthians 8:3), then out of that surrender, we gratefully use whatever money or property we have, for God’s glory and human good (Luke 12:42-48)
Gambling is poor stewardship because gamblers are losers. Your chances of being struck by lighting are greater than winning it big by gambling, even if you play and pay on a regular basis.
The Bible instructs us that good stewardship occurs when we use money for our basic needs—to support family, contribute to the Lord’s work, give to the poor, and to pay taxes. This precludes gambling.
THE BIBLE EMPHASIZES WORK OVER GAMBLING
Gambling destroys a proper work ethic. Honest work and honest wages go together. Luke 10:7 tells us “the laborer is worthy of his hire.” The parable of the talents gives us the option of investing in order to gain wealth, but it does not allow for gambling. Each person is obligated to work. One purpose for work is to gain wealth that can be used for God’s glory. However, work in itself is good. What would life be like if one sat in idleness? I have heard people say, “If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.” If winning at gambling allowed you to stop working, that in itself would bring a certain amount of destruction to your life.
THE BIBLE PROMOTES CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE IN OPPOSITION TO GAMBLING
Gambling destroys one’s Christian influence. If your pastor or other influential Christians gambled, would your admiration and appreciation for them decline? Most likely it would. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 instructs us to abstain from all appearance of evil. All our actions should glorify God. Gambling will not bring glory to God even if you give the church 10% of your winnings, or even 100%. Remember God cannot be bought. He already owns his own cattle on a thousand hills.
THE BIBLE HATES GAMBLING BECAUSE IT CORRUPTS GOVERNMENT
The purpose of government is to serve and protect citizens under its authority (Romans 13:1-7). Taxation
is a legitimate method for government to raise revenue for its operating expenses (Matthew 22:31). When government legalizes gambling to supplement taxes, it transforms itself from a benevolent protector to a retailer of gambling. Through advertisement and other means, it becomes a hostile predator and an exploiter of the people. When gambling becomes legal, the government promotes something that Missouri’s forefathers stamped as illegal and bad.
It is the responsibility of government to protect and possibly supply a safety net for the poor. When government legalizes gambling, it exploits the very people its responsible to protect. Money is used that should purchase food, clothing, and lodging. Government sponsored gambling encourages the poor to be totally destitute.
THE BIBLE DEPLORES GAMBLING BECAUSE IT ENCOURAGES CRIME
Studies show that when gambling comes to town, so does crime. In 1993, in Greenville, Mississippi, when riverboat gambling opened up, crime jumped 19%. When gambling was legalized in New Jersey, crime more than doubled from 1976 to 1989. In 1995 the FBI reported that organized crime families had infiltrated a Mississippi Gulf Coast casino and stolen a half million dollars. There are numerous stories available about crime, prostitution, and other vices that follow the gambling trade.
CONCLUSION:
Gambling contributes nothing to the common good. It undermines values, mocks work, finances crime, robs children, enslaves its addicts, subverts government, and poisons whatever it touches. Biblical insights lead us to reject its false promises and say “No MO Gambling.”
(Used With Permission by Joe Bob Mizzell, Alabama)
