Gambling-1.a. To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest. b. Games. To play a game of chance for stakes. 2. To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.
1) Is a covetous practice:
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet … any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Col. 3:5 covetousness, which is idolatry:
Psalm 10:3 the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:
Luke 12:15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
2) Is from a desire to be rich:
Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich:
Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
1 Cor. 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
1 Tim. 6:8-10 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] 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. [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.
3) Is against God’s way of labouring for wages; ‘something for nothing’:
Luke 10:7 for the labourer is worthy of his hire.
1 Tim. 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Cor. 9:9-10 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:
2 Thes. 3:10, 12 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done:
1 Thes. 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
4) Is an unwise risk:
Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Luke 19:12-13, 15-26 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. [13] And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [16] Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. [17] And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. [18] And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. [19] And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. [20] And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: [21] For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. [22] And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: [23] Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? [24] And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. [25] (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) [26] For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
5) It is not of faith
Romans 14:23 : for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. You are betting on something ‘uncertain’. 1 Tim. 6:17 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. Gambling is hoping in something uncertain. Therefore it is not of faith. What if you trust God for the gamble? Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Where does the word of God instruct such faith? Then to trust God for gambling would be to tempt God. Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Did he not also say “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (Eccl.9:11)?
6) It assumes a false view of chance or luck.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. Chance is not something that governs the universe. Probability is only a valid form of processing information if the omnipotence of God is assumed. There is no atheistic chance or superstitious luck.
Gambling is an addictive lust which destroys men’s lives drowning them in destruction and perdition. There are organizations who try to help gambling addicts to get free from the bondage and they list many dangers associated with gambling. These are a few random example:
The Financial Dangers
The chief problem associated with gambling addiction relates to an individual’s finances. Men and women will run through all of their savings in order to keep playing. They may become so consumed with gambling that they lose their jobs – thus destroying their family’s primary source of income.
Relationship Risks
Many people lose much more than their money when they become addicted to gambling. Relationships are often lost as well. Gambling compulsively usually involves lying to one’s spouse or significant other about money, jobs or one’s whereabouts. When this trust is damaged it is very difficult to repair.
Health Risks
Many people might think that there are no health risks associated with gambling addiction. Although there not as many medical problems as found in alcohol and drug addicts, individuals can still experience high levels of stress as a result of gambling or gambling debts. This stress can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure and other serious health issues. Many commit crimes to obtain gambling money, their families are devastated, and a disproportionate number commit suicide.
Some symptoms of gambling addiction:
Craving for gaming.
Depression.
Feelings of remorse after gambling.
Resorting to theft or fraud to obtain money to gamble.
Gambler feels the need to bet more money more frequently.
In spite of escalating losses, the person continues to gamble believing they will recuperate losses.
Increasing financial debt (using income and savings for gambling, borrowing money, resort to gambling to meet financial obligations).
Loss of control.
Loss of sleep.
Person persists in gambling behavior in spite of growing, severe, negative consequences.
Repetitive unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
Rising obsession with gambling.
Stress related problems (migraines, intestinal disorders).
When attempting to refrain from gambling, the person becomes restless or irritable.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15929.php
True and free salvation from all addictions comes through the death of Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood and resurrection from the dead; through faith in his death as the destruction of our lusts and the power of his resurrection for the full deliverance from our sin.
Read these powerful and informative chapters of scripture:
Comments