On Gambling

Gambling is by definition a risk taken for material gain. Of course we think of money, but gambling includes what money can buy as well. The astute reader will notice that gambling is also defined by the noun “risk” which is the expectation of probable loss. A risky activity means a person is endangered. We can also perform risky activities. For myself, I think of climbing to great heights. I'm careless and I'm taking a risk!
.

One can't become an alcoholic without imbibing. This implies that if a person drinks recreational beverages they are taking a risk. They take the chance of being one of the world's millions of alcoholics. In fact the probability of becoming an alcoholic if you drink has much more “favorable” odds than ever winning a lottery, yet people hope to win the lottery each time they play. I call it “stupid tax”.

.

Also, if you play Russian Roulette each time you spin the revolver you have one out of six chances of killing yourself. That means you have a 16.7% chance with each trigger-pull. With six tries you're statistically dead! The odds of becoming an alcoholic may not be that great, but there is a “bias” built into the system. Your family may skew the odds so as that you in particular may have even greater chances. Likewise we (everyone) have a sinful nature which skews the odds. I don't play Russian Roulette with alcohol and neither do I with gambling!

.

Gambling is legally rigged! It has to be so that the gambling houses can support the facility, pay the staff, pay utilities, pay taxes and make a profit. When you gamble, if you're wise, you know that you're doomed to lose. Just as with Russian Roulette with each pull of the trigger (each time you gamble) the odds increase that you'll lose. With the loss of money comes destitution. Some lose their home, their car, their jewelry, but as likely, their spouse and children, and even their friends! Everyone loves a winner, but no one likes a loser! Your destiny, if you're a gambler, is to be a loser.

.

There's another type of bias built into gambling. That bias is a spiritual emptiness. Those who are spiritually destitute put their hope on the thought of riches. I hate to really say this, but scripture does not say “Thou salt not gamble!”. However, scripture does say “Thou shout not covet.”, and that should be enough, but there is more. Covetousness is the desire of what belongs to others. If you gamble what you want is your opponents assets; their money or possessions. You are in effect jealous of what they have and you want it for yourself!

.

We can rationalize “easy money” as a quick and fun way of support. Ignoring the fact that the odds are against you, the Bible discourages “easy riches, but supports hard work and wise investment. The risk associated with gambling precludes wisdom.

.

Acts (ESV) 20:34 “You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

.

As you can see from Acts we are called to be hard-workers, and not only that, but we are to give of our abundance to the needy. You may use the argument that your intention is to give a portion of the jack-pot to the needy, but how often does that even happen? God doesn't honor the easy way out, but rewards you for your work! If you have winnings and you give, your generosity is already rewarded. If you help the needy out of the work of your hands, your reward will be eternal. You will receive a crown for your generosity because you're giving what's yours, not what belonged to another.

.

Many gamble for the reward. They like money and plenty of it. They like what it'll buy and the prestige of having money. For those people, they are on the wrong train!

.

1 Timothy (KJV) 6:10”For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

.

We're not to place emphasis on money! God will provide for those who're faithful. It may not be riches, but it will be necessities. For those who gamble they may be relinquishing the necessities which God has provided for the promise of wealth. Their heart is in the wrong place! They have “erred from the faith”. By having little faith in God to provide, they have opened themselves to the deceit of Satan. With their solicitation of wealth come consequences... “many sorrows”.

.

We've all gambled on something. We remember the exhilaration of winning, but do we remember the sorrow of losing? No! We long remember the thrill of winning, but when we lose, we look to the hope of that win again. It's a false hope and an ungodly hope. Winning is not defined by taking the belongings of another, but giving to others! Just as you feel a thrill in winning, the losing part feels depression and a sense of wrong. Any sane individual would keep a balance sheet showing losses and wins. The results would be staggering for anybody, but the “house”! You would see what a loser you are! Do you take pride in the lush carpets and dazzling lights of the casino? You should... you paid for it!

.

For me gambling is one of respect! I respect Jesus enough to have self-control. I don't seek riches, but the glory of God. Someday when I'm rewarded for my faith I'll live in a room in the most beautiful heavenly mansion describable. I'll walk there on streets paved with gold. However, I'll place a different value on those riches because they will all pale when compared with the glory I will see when I'm in the presence of God. Earthly pleasures are a roadblock to your coming heavenly pleasures!

.

“But”, you say, “I'm already a Christian and I'll see that anyway!”. There's a difference between “fire-insurance” and “glory in heaven”. Your rewards will be based on how faithful you are. A faithful person doesn't do things disrespectful to their Lord. Here's what I mean:

.

Mark (KJV) 15:24 “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.”

.

The Roman soldiers had just finished killing the man who came to save them. He was innocent. Jesus never even gambled. What was the most important things in the minds of the soldiers? “What's in it for me?” They didn't see salvation. They saw possessions. They threw the dice for Christ's clothing! How selfish! How disrespectful! Out of respect for my Savior, I don't gamble! It's just not worth offending Jesus for a small payback. The “return on investment” (ROI) is a pittance as it is with all gambling, but when we disrespect the sacrifice which Jesus made for us, the only ROI we deserve is eternal death. Riches will never save us, but selflessness is our call!

.

Will you go to hell for gambling? Probably not, unless you put more emphasis on the joys of life than you do on the promises of God. Did godly people gamble in scripture? There is no evidence of it. Lots were cast to determine God's will (Urim and Thummin), but that wasn't for gain. Does God's grace cover the sin of gambling? It covers all sin, but you have to repent first! Before gambling gets a hold on you, ask God for self-control. Tell Him that your priorities have been wrong. Don't pay the “stupid tax”, but give generously to those in need. Jesus will forgive and your reward will be great... eternal life and all the gold you can tread on for eternity!