MIKE GRIFFIN, Georgia Baptist Mission Board
We reside in a time the place the social acceptance of playing is past something we ever thought attainable in our lifetime. I’ve seen statistics that reveal that there are as many as 48 states within the US which have some type of legalized playing and that 85% of Individuals have gambled not less than as soon as of their lives. It has additionally been reported that 60% of Individuals have gambled up to now 12 months.
With this type of exercise happening within the nation, we now have to ask ourselves, “Is playing one thing that Christians needs to be concerned in?
Once we speak about Christians and playing, we should begin by saying that playing is opposite to biblical morality. Which means that playing is immoral. Which means that it’s habits that’s opposite to established biblical ethical ideas.
The favored playing of our time would relatively be characterised as “predatory playing”. Predatory playing happens when company playing groups up with the federal government to defraud and exploit its residents. (Which is now taking place by new playing laws in Georgia.) So many points of one of these playing are manipulated by the trade that – should you win – it may be used to entice you to gamble extra.
For Christians, due to the ferocity of playing, playing turns into a dangerous habits that violates the ethical ideas laid down in God's Phrase. I’m going to share with you what I name: “10 Causes Why a Christian Shouldn't Gamble”.
#1. Playing violates the precept of worshiping God himself as a result of it promotes idolatry.
There are numerous Scriptures, starting with the Ten Commandments, that talk of the supremacy of worshiping God (Ex 20:3; Deut 18:9-12; Matt 6:33). Since playing is essentially extra about 'luck' and never about talent, it encourages folks to place their belief in 'likelihood' and 'superstition'.
In actual fact, in Isaiah 65:11 (ESV, NASB, NIV) we now have two pagan gods named “Fortune” (Gad) and “Destiny” (Meni). There isn’t a doubt that this verse has some relation to the playing exercise. Now I ask if there actually are different gods apart from the Lord? No! So who’re these? 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 reveals who they appear as much as, if not the Lord God.
Playing finally promotes elevated demonic exercise in folks's lives. The subsequent time you're on the common retailer, discover the astrology books and horoscopes obtainable that can assist you choose numbers for actions just like the lottery.
#2. Playing violates the precept of serving to others in want as a result of it exploits the poor and destitute.
Proverbs 14:31 says, “He who oppresses the poor dishonors his Creator, however he who honors him has mercy on the poor.“
Playing encourages folks – usually those that can least afford it – to spend their cash and supply for his or her households within the perception that they are often higher off financially in consequence. It’s not God's will for Christians to take part in habits that additional oppresses poor and needy folks.
Research have proven us that folks residing in poverty or close to poverty usually tend to play the lottery than those that are higher off financially. Generally they contribute as much as half of the earnings to the lottery cooperation of their state.
Amos 2:6 says that God mentioned to the folks, “I can’t avert his punishment; for they offered the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of footwear.”
#3. Playing violates the precept of being content material with what you will have by encouraging greed, greed, and the worship of cash.
Jesus Himself mentioned in Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: both he’ll hate the one and love the opposite; in any other case he’ll cling to 1 and despise the opposite. You can not serve God and mammon.”
Playing encourages folks to need the world and its pleasures greater than to rejoice within the issues of God. And that's why it might result in cash worship!
1 Tim. 6:10 states that cash itself just isn’t evil, however relatively the “love” of cash is! This love leads us away from God. Scripture teaches that specializing in God and godliness is the place true contentment is in life (Phil. 4:10-13; 1 Tim. 6:6-9).
#4. Playing violates the precept of kid safety, because it additionally exposes them to their households to a higher danger of evil.
Once more we will look to the best authority of all, Jesus, and see what He mentioned in Luke 17:2: “It had been higher for him to have a millstone hung round his neck and thrown into the ocean than to offend one in every of these little ones.” This is only one of many passages the place Jesus prioritizes the care of youngsters over different wants and needs in life.
Playing encourages and has the potential to destroy complete households by habit, chapter and different evils reminiscent of alcohol, medication and pornography.
I’ve mentioned for years once I testified at hearings on the State Capitol that the legalization of immorality does the best hurt to our kids. And but kids and training tax income are sometimes used as an excuse to legalize issues like predatory state-sponsored playing!
#5. Playing violates the rule of regulation as a result of it will increase the crime fee and unlawful playing.
Scripture says in Romans 13:1, “Let each soul be topic to greater powers. For there isn’t a energy however of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.“
Playing encourages extra breaking of the regulation by different unlawful actions normally related to playing. Statistics have proven that issues like theft, medication, pornography, homicide, prostitution, drunkenness, and unlawful playing enhance wherever predatory playing is legalized.
Scripture warns us once more in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “…the love of cash is the foundation of all evil…”. One other enlargement of authorized playing has confirmed to advertise MORE evil in society!
#6. Playing violates the biblical work ethic as a result of it means you possibly can have doing little or nothing.
The apostle Paul mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For once we had been with you, that is what we commanded you, that if anybody doesn’t need to work, let him not eat.”
Playing encourages folks to assume that being lazy and lazy just isn’t one thing to be appeared down upon as a result of victorious (in some circumstances) has develop into extra vital than working.
There isn’t a doubt that in societies the place work is extremely valued and revered, people, marriages and households usually tend to specific love, devotion and dedication to 1 one other. With a lot homelessness, divorce, little one abuse and crime, we will't afford to go the opposite method.
In Genesis and Exodus we even see that God expressed work and inspired others to do the identical (Gen 2:2; 3:19; Exodus 20:8-11).
#7. Playing violates the precept of excellent stewardship as a result of most bets are wasteful cash with little or no reward.
God desires prosperity amongst his folks and the entire earth, however his ideas have to be adopted as seen in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Furthermore, directors are required to seek out an individual devoted.”
Playing, however, encourages folks to take what’s normally their hard-earned cash (which can also be God's cash) and put it at monumental danger. It's a danger that more often than not will finish in failure!
Predatory playing relies on the idea that the losers have to be the bulk! The “Home” MUST at all times win! Which signifies that individuals who play MUST lose as a common rule.
Proverbs 12:11 makes the precept clear: He who tills his land shall be happy with bread, however he who follows useless males has no understanding.”
#8. Playing violates the precept of freedom by enslaving its members into playing habit.
Scripture says in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth towards the Spirit, and the Spirit towards the flesh, and these are opposed to 1 one other, so that you simply can’t do what you’d.”
Playing, nonetheless, incites a compulsion to behave, which, as soon as an individual is “hooked,” turns into uncontrollable. Wherever predatory playing spreads, habit explodes exponentially!
It’s just like the harmful fascination of a moth with a candle flame. It's a deadly fascination that can theoretically and in some circumstances actually kill you. Nationwide statistics present that one-third of addicted gamblers try suicide.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:12, Every part is permitted to me, however not all the pieces is useful. Every part is permitted to me, however I can’t be below the facility of anybody.
#9. Playing (if legalized) violates the precept of a authorities division by permitting legal guidelines that encourage its residents to interact within the playing trade.
Scripture says in Romans 13:4, “For he’s the servant of God in your good. However should you do what’s evil, worry; for he doesn’t bear the sword in useless, for he’s the servant of God, an avenger to execute wrath on him who does evil.”
However, playing (if operated by authorities) promotes what’s evil and perverts the aim for which God supposed authorities.
That's hardly ever what predatory playing is. It's state-sponsored playing based mostly on the pretense that we're doing one thing evil, however it's sanctified as a result of it supposedly does one thing (raises tax income) that's good (ie helps kids)!
I don’t consider that God will hold us as residents innocent if we permit this to occur once more in Georgia!
#10. Playing violates the precept of affection by main folks to an exercise that would very properly destroy their lives.
Christians are reminded in Romans 13:10 that: “Love doesn’t hurt one's neighbor, subsequently love is the success of the regulation.”
Playing, however, promotes destruction and hurt to people and households! That is the alternative of serving to them expertise blessing and success.
It’s not possible for us to like folks the way in which God desires us to like them and on the identical time take part in, assist, or do nothing to cease actions that harm and destroy folks's lives!
Jesus Himself mentioned in Matthew 22:39, “…You shall love your neighbor as your self.” He additionally mentioned this in Matthew 7:12, “Due to this fact, no matter you need males to do to you, do even so to them…”
I can by no means settle for Jesus being a part of a predatory gamble. And I discover it onerous to think about anybody following Jesus, figuring out these risks, collaborating in it or not preventing to cease it!
Conclusion
Playing is immoral and incompatible with biblical Christianity.
The very nature of the predatory playing trade (lotteries, video slot machines, sports activities betting, casinos and Parimutuel betting) is antithetical to the Christian life.
Ephesians 5:8-10 says, “For ye had been as soon as darkness, however at the moment are mild within the Lord: stroll as kids of sunshine: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and reality;) Show what is agreeable to the Lord. And shouldn’t have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, however relatively rebuke them.”
There isn’t a doubt that participating in actions reminiscent of predatory playing is a poor testimony to the remodeling energy of the gospel within the lifetime of a believer!
For extra statistics on the influence of playing on society, see this hyperlink: https://gabaptist.egnyte.com/dl/YGzUY5Z5sp
