FROM DAN'S DESK - JAN/FEB 2007
What’s Wrong With GAMBLING?
Happy New Year! Our January-February instalment of “From Dan’s Desk” concerns an important question for all of society: “What, if anything, is wrong with gambling?” Or perhaps more to the point, “What does God think of gambling?” We need to determine whether gambling is an ethical means of producing wealth and whether we as Christians should partake in this activity with along the world? There has been much controversy around this question for millennia in and out of the church world. Gambling is a worldwide activity and in many cases a world wide problem. It has a universal appeal and has been around as long as recorded history. But is it always bad? No organization or church or government can prohibit it, en masse, as it is a moral decision that we all have to make individually.
Why does gambling appeal to so many? Below are some reasons:
Thrill/Excitement/Risk/Danger/Glamour. Much like watching a scary movie or riding a roller coaster, many people find an element of risk makes an activity that much sweeter. It’s probably a safe bet J that the people who enjoy speeding and wild rides also enjoy gambling! Call it an adrenaline rush or getting your kicks, whatever you call it, some people are addicted to thrills. The very controversy itself can be appealing to those who are intrigued by “forbidden fruit.”
Quick Riches. Why work hard when you can work smart? And to many, gambling is working smart. Those who make this argument will say that their research and experience minimizes the risks. For those who need big money quick, especially if they have had success with it in the past, gambling looks like “easy money.” If you are a person who wants money without working for it, gambling is appealing.
Winning/Competition/Superiority/Self-Esteem. Winning feels good. So, if you are a competitive person gambling is going to have an appeal like sports, board games, video games, et cetera. And if you are good at gambling, it can stroke your ego. Some people build their self-worth on their ability to win.
Justification/Defence Of Gambling
When we enjoy something, we defend our right to continue enjoying it! Our love of an activity can blind us to the light of God’s Word and deafen us to the sound of His voice on any matter. We can, over time, sear our conscience by ignoring conviction and doing in spite of it. We will lie to ourselves to shut out the voice of conviction. We live in a society where we are, to a great degree, free to do as we like. We are also free to do as we ought. Ought we gamble? Gamblers offer up many justifications, which, they say, condone their habit:
Moderation: I know my limit and I play within it! This is like the person who smokes and says, “I am not addicted; I can stop anytime.” Gambling can be addictive – it is designed to keep you coming back for more because that is how casinos and lotteries make money. If people won more than they lost, there would be no casinos and no lotteries. In other words, it’s a business and it turns a profit. Those who use this excuse are gambling with more than their money; they’re betting they won’t get hooked.
I only gamble what I can afford to lose. Many will say that if they are only gambling what they would have just as easily spent elsewhere, it is ok, because that money was allocated for entertainment of any kind. “If I happen to win,” they say, “it’s a bonus!”
It’s an investment and, like all investments, there’s an element of risk. If risk itself were a bad thing, they reason, then all investments are bad, and no one is going to say all investments are bad.
I know what I am doing; my research and experience greatly reduce the risk. These gamblers have confidence that, while they may not always win, they will win more often than they lose.
The Bible says that when the lot is cast, the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Christians who like gambling will quote Proverbs 16:33 and other passages that involve the casting of lots as Biblical support for gambling. On this basis, some will go so far as to claim God’s blessing on their gambling.
What Does The Bible Say About Gambling?
What really matters, is never what men say, but always what God has said. Indeed, “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). The church world has, historically, condemned gambling and the gamblers. They have been long on preaching against it but short on explaining what is wrong with it. This has done a disservice to gamblers and would-be gamblers who need to hear clear counsel from the Bible, otherwise we ought to leave them alone.
For this reason, I will be very clear: Gambling is indeed a sin and wrong all the way around. There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for it from a Biblical standpoint.
Why? As with many other things, the Bible does not have a scripture that explicitly says, “gambling is bad.” But those who have received the love of the truth and are willing to search the scriptures with honesty, will find the counsel of God is in the Scriptures for every matter of life. The counsel of God is the consensus of all Scriptures on any matter. The Scriptures balance each other. For example, Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” If we read this scripture by itself we might conclude that God wants us to seek riches and He is going to help us get them! But I Timothy 6:6–10 say, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 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.” This passage, if read by itself might lead us to believe that God wants us to avoid riches and certainly not seek wealth; that wealth corrupts us. Are these passages contradictory? No, but they do balance each other. We must put them together and we should arrive at the conclusion Paul did when he said, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11–13).
Let’s look at the dictionary definition of gambling: “Gamble/gambling: To play a game for money or property; to bet on an uncertain outcome; to stake something on a contingency.” The etymology (the origin and history of a word) of gamble is as follows: it is derived from the old English word, “gamene” which is the early spelling of the word “game.” Synonyms include: gaming, betting, risk, hazard, stake, speculate, chance.
Now let’s us hear what the Scriptures say in response to the gambler’s justifications of and identify a few of the numerous Biblical principles gamblers violate:
Principle # 1: Gambling is a sin because it is based upon gaining from another's loss, making it a sophisticated form of stealing. Gambling is also sinful because it is fuelled by coveting that which belongs to another, for although you go your way as if you had done no one any wrong, you have nevertheless injured your neighbour; and if it is not called stealing and cheating, yet it is called coveting your neighbour’s property, that is, aiming at possession of it. All the money that you make comes from other gamblers, and the aim is to get dollars from other gambler’s wallets into your wallet. That holds true whether you are talking about a lottery ticket or a black jack table.
Principle # 2: Gambling is a sin because it exploits human weakness. I Corinthians 8:9 say, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak.” While you may “know your limit and play within it” and you may “only gamble what you can afford to lose” and you may consider it harmless entertainment, what about the other gamblers – do they know their limit? Are some of them addicted? When you leave the casino with their money in your wallet, could they be going home and lying to their spouse about where the money went – money that was intended for groceries and rent? You see, gambling exploits human weakness and profits from people’s addiction to it. You could justify yourself saying, “That’s their problem; I’m not responsible for their lack of self control.” But the fact remains you are the reason they are there – they are hoping to take your money, as you hope to take theirs. You are the carrot – part of the temptation. In this manner you are like a woman who dresses in a way to show off her most desirable assets, but claims no responsibility if her brother stumbles, asserting she is not responsible for his lack of self control. It is really no different – you are participating in Satan’s snare of gambling addiction. Gambling takes advantage of the compulsive weakness of others. And after you have left the casino, how do you know what damage you have done to others? You have helped to keep them in bondage.
Will we kid ourselves that some mothers and fathers with whom we cast our lots in gambling fail to feed their children because funds have been diverted in hopes of a big win? This is not the children’s fault but many parents do this in desperation of making more money. Statistics Canada in 2003 reported that Canadians who earn $20,000 or less spend an average of 2.6% of their income on gambling, while people who earn $80,000 or more spend an average of only 0.6% of their income on gambling. Stats Canada also says that 6.3% of Canadians were “problem gamblers” in 2003 and that number has likely risen given the revival of popularity of poker and similar games in the last couple years. Can we happily spend the money that we take from the mouths of the children of our country’s poorest people? Gambling systems and lotteries are micro-economies unto themselves and when we gamble we make ourselves part of an economy based on compulsive slavery, temptation and addiction.
Principle # 3: Gambling is a sin because it is poor stewardship of our God-given money. God has entrusted our money to us and we are to be responsible stewards of that money. This means we are to be fully aware of where our money is going, what it is supporting and what it is building. It also means we are not to assume risks that are beyond our control. It also teaches sowing in good ground.
What are we using our money to build when we gamble? Casinos, bars, organized crime, to name a few, and we are paying for advertisements to tempt more people. As for risks beyond our control, gambling is, by definition, “betting on an uncertain outcome.” One can argue that all investments are risky, but there are degrees of risk, and investment is supposed to be based on wisdom from God. For example, it is written of the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard” (verse 16). The word translated “considereth” means to plan, consider and devise. This woman is not at a casino casting lots and she doesn’t carelessly invest money; she is a responsible steward and her investment is based on careful planning. Also, where we spend we sow. What kind of soil are we sowing into at casinos; what harvest will we reap from that field?
Principle # 4: Gambling is not a legitimate, God-endorsed means of accumulating wealth. Look all through the Bible and you will not find a single recommendation or endorsement for gambling. And this shouldn’t surprise us, given its addictive appeal, its uncertain outcome and the sorrow that follows that lifestyle. Many a gambler is depressed and some commit suicide because they cannot break free from its grip. Is this the kind of thing God supports? What are legitimate means of endorsing wealth?
Neither Jesus nor the apostles nor any godly leader in the Bible encouraged gambling. If it were of God, surely Jesus or one of the New Testament writers would have suggested it!
If you look again at the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31, you will find in her character and habits a beautiful example of godly wealth accumulation:
- She first warns her son not to drink nor give his strength to women; what goes on at casinos?
- “The heart of her husband safely trusts in her” (vs. 11) because she doesn’t risk recklessly.
- “She will do him good and not evil” (vs. 12) because he needs not fear loss due to foolishness.
- Verses 13 – 27 show her to be a woman of industry, making her money honestly by hard work.
- Verses 28 – 31 show us a happy, prosperous family; and none of it was “won” by gambling.
- She made her money mostly by hard work, and some by careful investment.
The Bible does not recommend gambling, but it does repeatedly encourage hard work. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Paul and other apostles worked, as Paul says, “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it” (I Corinthians 4:12). And what about the Proverbs?
Proverbs 10:16 “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.”
Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Proverbs 14:23 “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”
Proverbs 21:25 “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.”
The Bible also encourages investment in the sense of trading - not uncertain risk. We are to make our money work as hard for us as we worked for it, but through business, not gambling. If your investment is a gamble, it won’t have the backing of Jesus. Let’s look at the kind of investment Jesus endorsed:
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.” Matthew 25:14 – 18
First of all, the kingdom if God is also the economy of God, for every kingdom is also an economy. Now, some have used this passage to support reckless investment, but Jesus didn’t say they did that. And they certainly didn’t gamble it! No, Jesus said they “went and traded with” what they were given. That is, they did business with it and used that money to make more money; because it does take money to make money. And you will discover, if you read on in this passage, Jesus taught that the man rewarded the servants who “traded with” what he gave them and punished the man who did nothing with his, because he was too lazy and thoughtless to use the money to make more money.
So, the Biblical model of investment is that of using money to do business, wisely. Proverbs 24:3 & 4 says, “Through wisdom is a house built, by understanding it is established and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Scripturally, investing has nothing to do with taking uncertain risks and if your “investment” is quite uncertain you are really gambling and calling it an investment and this is poor stewardship. Furthermore, the word “gambling” means “game” and our livelihood is not a game! God takes our finances seriously and so should we. Our financial security is not a toy and when we gamble we are playing with our finances and other people’s finances.
God also encourages tithes and offerings as well as sowing and reaping as ways to protect and grow our wealth. Time and space do not allow for specific teaching on these right here but go study!
As I touched on earlier, gambling has historically brought about sorrow, depression and sometimes even suicide; it leaves in its wake a legacy of ruin, divorce, violence, drugs, prostitution and organized crime in every society that has allowed it. Even if you do win, God would have nothing to do with this, for the Bible assures us, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom” Proverbs 10:22 & 23.
Principle # 5: Gambling is a sin because it is not of faith. The Bible says, “… whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Gambling cannot be of faith because the outcome is uncertain, whereas faith is always based on a promise from God and the outcome is always certain; that’s why there is a basis for faith. We have faith that God will save us if we ask Him to, for He has promised to do that. We have faith that He will protect us for He has promised to do that. We have faith for healing because God has promised to heal us and has even named Himself, “The Lord Who Heals You.” These are covenant blessings and are not left to chance nor to God making up His mind to do it: He has already made up His mind 2000 years ago at Calvary and He is pre-disposed to show favour by doing all these things! But He has never promised to get involved in gambling. The Bible warns the rich of this world to be wise stewards with the wealth God has entrusted to them: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (I Timothy 6:17). And you cannot trust God for something He has never promised to do.
Principle # 6: Proverbs 16:33 is not an endorsement for gambling. Many a Christian gambler quotes this verse (or misquotes it) in an effort to gain Biblical support for gambling. Let’s look at this verse:
“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (King James Version).
“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah” (Darby Translation).
Those who would christen gambling say this means that God determines the outcome of our gambling, so He must approve of it and in fact uses it.
However, if you look at the Scriptures that show the lot being cast you will notice something; in no case was it being used in gambling! It was used to make a decision when there was an impasse, not to make money. And yes, God has arbitrated decisions through this means when people have cast lots for this purpose. However, it needs to be understood that this should only ever be used when there is an impasse as to a decision, i.e.: a disagreement as to what the will of God is. He allows it to end disputes. God’s perfect will for His people is that we make decisions based on the principles in His Word and to hear His voice. Lots are not to substitute the voice of God! Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:16 & 27) so we can expect to hear His voice! If someone constantly needs to cast lots (draw straws) to find out what God’s will is, I truly wonder if that person belongs to Christ. As Christians, we are supposed to be walking in the Spirit and be led by that Spirit! Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Galatians 5:18 says, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” So then we can expect to be led of the Spirit.
Let’s look at some Biblical examples of lots being used:
The choosing of Judas’ replacement. Acts 1:15-26 records Peter addressing the disciples before the day of Pentecost and advising that a replacement for Judas’ was needed. Vs. 23 says, “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.” So then we see that there was a split decision as to who it should be, with some nominating Joseph and the other nominating Matthias. And how did they decide it? They prayed and then immediately cast lots. We do not read that they waited on God for His answer nor expected to hear His voice. But it must be remembered that these were new Christians who were not even filled with the Holy Ghost yet! Walking in the Spirit and being led by that Spirit was something foreign to them at this point, whereas lots were a traditional way to end disputes that they were all accustomed to. God of course did honour the method but again, we know that He would rather we sought Him for an answer and then waited rather than drawing straws.
You will see the same believers, years later, making decisions very differently! For example, Acts 13:1-4 records the disciples ministering to the Lord and fasting and it say, “the Holy Ghost said…” what to do. And in Acts 15 we see the early church in disagreement as to how to disciple the new gentile believers. Here we see wisdom from God prevailing through the leadership of Peter (vs. 6-12) and James (vs. 13-21) and we see that the other leaders agreed and their account of the matter was that this counsel was of the Holy Ghost, for they said, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us…” (vs. 28). They were well past needing to cast lots! In fact, we don’t see them using lots ever again after they were filled with the Holy Ghost!
The parting of Jesus’ clothes among the soldiers. Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23 & 24 all record that the soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes when He was yet alive on the cross. John’s record is the most complete:
“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also His coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be:’ that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, ‘They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots.’ These things therefore the soldiers did.”
Notice, again, the soldiers did this as a way to make a decision; and they were stealing. God never did endorse what they were doing. When we take something that belongs to another, that is stealing, and if we cast lots afterwards to decide who gets what, it is still stolen goods. Weren’t they merely fulfilling prophecy? Of course they were, but foreknowledge and endorsement are two different things! God knew what they would do, hundreds of years before they did it. This does not mean He agreed with it.
There were other examples of lots being cast to make decisions, but these were in the Old Testament by people who were not filled with the Holy Spirit. For example, casting of lots was used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem and who wouldn’t.
Principle #7: Gambling is a sin because it is a product of sinful men, not of Heaven and not of God. Gambling is worldly. It is of this world, exploits the weaknesses of a fallen humanity and appeals to the basest, most sordid traits in people who were created in the image of God. When we gamble, we degrade ourselves and others; we are not behaving like God, but as mere fallen men who are like natural brute beasts, void of the Spirit. Gambling is not in Heaven, yet we pray, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven” and we gamble and in so doing support further gambling. What hypocrisy!
Gambling’s Mecca is perhaps Las Vegas. I can’t think of a place more like Sodom and Gomorrah. Even the world acknowledges it is “Sin City.” Will we derive wealth from such a place, or will be we like Abraham, the father of faith? “And Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have lifted up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion’” (Genesis 14:22-24).
Do you see his integrity at work here? He truly saw God as his source and would not be made rich by this world. We are to get the riches OF the world but we don’t get the riches BY the world, and there’s a world of difference in principle. You see, when you gamble, you risk losing not only your money but also your integrity. God rewarded Abram’s decision for we see in the very next verse, “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Blessing follows when we go God’s way.
We are not to be like the world! We are putting our witness at stake when we do as they do and lust as they lust. We are to be separate from the world, not by distance, but by difference:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:15 – 17
What goes along with gambling? Well, let’s see what we can find in a casino:
- Alcohol & drugs (to impair your judgement) offered cheap if you are gambling
- Sometimes there are strippers/lap dances and other “soft” prostitution
- Worldly music and dancing
- Slaves to the vice of gambling, becoming more enslaved each night
- False weights (you think casinos and lotteries are never rigged?)
- All sorts of corrupting influences and stimulus of flesh
- Covetousness
- Organized crime
What we won’t find in a casino:
- The proclamation of the Gospel
- The teaching of the Word of God
- The New Wine and some New Wineskins seeking a filling
- Music of worship and praise
- People being set free from the vices mentioned above
- Brotherly love continuing
- The ministry of the Spirit
- Godly counsel
- Children
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” Galatians 5:19–21. These are things that accompany gambling. As birds of a feather flock together, so sinners (and sins) of a feather do, too.
“But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” Hebrews 6:9
It is the “better things… that accompany salvation” that I want for you.
Paul admonished Timothy, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” II Timothy 2:22.
You won’t find such people in the casino or at the lottery booth.
Deliverance To The Captives – Lets Stop Kidding Ourselves!
If you are bound by gambling there is great news! Christ came to bring deliverance to the captives; you can be set free! But to be made free, you must hear the truth for we are told, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). You must allow the Word of God to be the Sword of the Spirit and discern your thoughts and intents. In other words, you must be honest about your condition and call it what it is - a wholesale violation of God’s principles. Sadly, a hardened heart will not hear the counsel of the Word of God and so the person who really wants to gamble, whatever God thinks, will continue in self-deception. They will demand a LAW, which says, “Thou shalt not” otherwise they’ll say, “The Bible doesn’t say I can’t!” This is because where conscience has been long ignored a law becomes necessary. We ought not cloak sin with Pharisaical limits saying, "It's only a few dollars a week” and other such nonsense. Freedom comes to those who truly abandon the broad ways of this world that many are on and get on the narrow way, the way of holiness, with Jesus. If you want to be truly free, let self-deception be replaced with honesty with one’s self and with God, and you will find a place of genuine repentance and times of refreshing will come from the Holy Ghost, making you free indeed.