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Presented, September 11, 2005

SHOULD CHRISTIANS GAMBLE?

                Tonight we want to address a subject that seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year.  It is a subject that has impact on every one of our lives.  It is topic regularly debated in society and one that is becoming more and more acceptable.  We want to examine the subject of gambling.  Primarily we want to ask the question, should Christians gamble?  This is a subject we have discussed before, but considering its prevalence in society, we need to remind ourselves about what the Bible says about such subjects.  Of particular interest, we want to discuss the subject of casual gambling.

I.                     Gambling

a.        Defined – “1. To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest.  2. The playing of a game of chance for stakes.”  (American Heritage Dictionary, © 2000)  Gambling as we define it here involves 3 things:
1) a wager in which two or more parties create “stakes”
2) a game that involves an uncertain outcome
3) one (or more) person(s) wins, while others lose.  The loser does not receive fair compensation for what has been done

b.       Gambling vs. chance or risk taking. Some justify gambling by saying it is a game of chance (which it is) and we take risks every day (which we do).
But to compare the two is dishonest!  When one makes such arguments, it is an admission that threre is no real justification for actions. 
Chance is not always gambling.  When the farmer plants a crop he is taking a chance.  When a man takes out a loan he is taking a chance.  Driving a car involves risk.   But in each of these there is NOT a necessary winner and loser.  In fact, in such situations, the goal is for EVERYONE to win.

c.        The concern in society.  It is now more prevalent than ever.  Statistics could be shown for every aspect of gambling.
It is a multi billion dollar industry.  In 1999, the National Gambling Impact Study Commission released its report noting that more than 20 million Americans have or could develop serious gambling problems. At that time, more than a million teens, 13-17 had serious gambling problems.
In 1992 it was a 400 BILLION dollar industry. What is it now with the addition to the emergence of casinos on tribal lands, as well as state and national lotteries are getting bigger and bigger. 
Also there is a new area – internet gambling – where you can wager in the privacy of your home, anonymously.
Millions are addicted and the communities where gambling is the greatest have high crime rates.
Also, gambling (especially problem gambling) is not restricted to affluent society.  It is often found at its worst and it preys on the poor and those least able to afford it.

II.                   Should Christians Gamble?

a.        NO!  While the Bible does not specifically say, “You shall not gamble”, there are principles involved in gambling that are sinful.  Not everything that is wrong is specifically identified in God’s word.  Much of what we do and don’t do is based upon a mature understanding of Biblical principles (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14). 
In passages such as Galatians 5:19-21, Paul ends the list by saying, “and such like.”

b.       The sin of Covetousness –

                                                   i.      Covetousness is defined as, “to lust, desire, long after.”  While the original word could be used in a good sense, whenever the word covet is found, it is ALWAYS bad.  Implied in the word is desire for that which belongs to another (cf. Exodus 20:17)
Thayer defines the word as, “a greedy desire to have more”

                                                  ii.      Covetousness is condemned – Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3 – let it not even be named among you.

                                                iii.      Gambling involves a desire or lust to have that which belongs to your neighbor.  It is based on one not content to find gratification in the gifts of God, but rather in taking away that which belongs to another.

c.        The sin of Greed –

                                                   i.      The whole purpose of gambling is for you to gain something while another loses.  The more you win the better.   Do you want to see greed?  Look at a line to buy lottery tickets when the jackpot soars – everyone wants to be the winner at the expense of everyone else who is wagering against you.

                                                  ii.      Greed is condemned in the Bible – 1 Timothy 6:10- the love of money
Proverbs 15:27, “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.”

d.       3 Legitimate ways of obtaining resources
1) Working  - 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Eph. 4:28 – let him labor with his hands.
2) Fair Exchange – bartering or selling.  You give something and receive something of equal value (to you) in return.  Selling stuff fits in this category.
3) Giving and receiving – gifts.  Christians are to be givers as well as receivers.  The very concept of salvation is receiving a gift (Romans 5;15-18).  Also cf. Acts 11:29
Gambling can be found in none of these: Rather
  In place of work we find the law of ease (something for nothing).
  In place of fair exchange we find the law of greed (I get more than you get)
  In place of giving and receiving we find taking and keeping – “it’s all about me”

e.        Stewardship

                                                   i.      Stewardship means showing responsibility for the use of what we have received.  All that we have is a gift from God.  We are expected to use it wisely – 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

                                                  ii.      Gambling is a poor use of that which we have been entrusted with.  In society it does not contribute to anything good – but rather it usually makes things worse.  Whatever resources are directed toward “worthy” projects are often misused or manipulated. 

f.         Discontentment

                                                   i.      Christians are commanded to be content.  1Timothy 6:6, Philippians 4:11

                                                  ii.      Gambling usually breeds discontentment.  NO one who gambles enjoys losing.  They may be a good sport about it, but in the end they leave wishing the outcome were different – they WANTED to win.  If not, WHY wager?  Often losing means strategizing to “win it back”.  And those who win want to win more.

g.       Is gambling a moral issue?
I believe it fits in that category because of the harm it can do.
Matthew 7:12 – “the golden rule.”  Gambling is based upon the principle, “I win, you lose” – Phil 2:4.
Consider its impact upon society.  While gambling is often allowed in the name of raising funds for good causes (helping the Indian reservations, education, etc.) it produces much evil within the communities where it is allowed.   Also personal evils – including damage to families, domestic disputes, etc..
It is addictive behavior – every lottery ticket and scratch off ticket sold in California has a warning to gamble responsibly, AND a number to call if you have a problem with gambling.

III.                 What about Casual Gambling?

a.        What do we mean by casual gambling? Buying lottery tickets, participating in raffles, small stakes gambling at home, etc.

b.       Lotteries show even poorer stewardship than the tradition, “vice-style” gambling of Casinos.  AT least in the Casino, you have a chance of winning and depending on the game, you have some control.  Lottery odds are ridiculous – you are really giving away your money to someone else.

c.        While some of the principles of outright gambling may not apply to the casual sense, others do.

                                                   i.      Sin is Sin.  Covetousness is still covetousness, regardless of the amount!  When does stealing become stealing?  Greed is ALWAYS greed.  Can a poor man be greedy?

                                                  ii.      The drive of gambling? Why is gambling so exciting?  Because it provides an adrenaline rush, much the same way an amusement park ride or other exciting event produces adrenaline.  This drive is what leads to addictions.
Even the home card game has a degree of this drive. You WANT to win as the other competitors loose – and in so doing you take what was theirs by a mere game of chance.  At the least it serves as your “trophy”.
If you win – you want to win more.  If you lose, you want to win it back.  It becomes a never ending cycle – where given enough time you luck WILL run out!
Where will it ultimately lead?  Will it lead to addiction?

                                                iii.      It clouds the lines between right and wrong.
Would you say that gambling fits more in the category of the fruit of the Spirit or a work of the flesh?  BE HONEST!  Would you call it a good thing or an evil thing?  Some would say neither – that is the line.  Where should Christians line up their lives?  As close to the center of the road as possible, or more to right of center?  I believe the latter.

                                                iv.      Consider influence on others.

d.       Does the fact that it is for a good cause make it acceptable? 
Romans 3:8 – can we do evil, to accomplish good?

It is my hope that in this lesson we have seen that Christians should not gamble, even in the small ways we have discussed.  It is not just a matter of the potential for greater problems, but the fact that we must apply godly principles in ALL we do, great or small.  In this lesson we have not discussed all that could be said about this subject.  There are many other principles that could be added to the ones mentioned and scriptures applied.  But these are sufficient to, at the very least, cast doubt upon whether or not we should gamble in ANY form whatsoever. A little bit of sin is no better than a big pile of sin.  Both will condemn one to hell if he does not repent.   THINK ABOUT IT!