Daily Bible Lessons for You #3 ~ Gambling
When it comes to gambling, some people have viewed it as innocent harmless fun as long as it is done legally. While others have viewed it as addicting and probable cause for temptation and addiction. An example of legalized gambling is that of sponsored lotteries which generate revenue for programs that benefit the public.
Although the Bible has no exact mention of gambling that would be considered significant...it does give us God's perspective on the matter. It shows us how God feels about gambling from his perspective.
The bare truth of gambling, making money at the expense of others, contradicts the biblical warning to [quote]"beware of the greed of all kinds."[/quote] [b](Luke 12:15)[/b] Yes, gambling is driven by greed. Gambling institutions promote big jackpots while downplaying low odds, knowing that dreams of wealth lead players to bet big at casinos. If we're going, to be honest too, gambling doesn't really help protect people from the act or behavior of greed but enables the desire to make easy money instead of earning and working hard for money.
Gambling is solely based on the inherent selfish goal of winning money that other players have lost. However, the Bible encourages us to [quote]"seek the interest of others and not our own."[/quote] [b](1 Corinthians 10:24)[/b] This also applies to one of the [b]Ten Commandments[/b] too, which can be found in [b](Exodus 20:17)[/b] [quote]"You must not desire...anything that belongs to your fellow man." [/quote]When a gambler is intent on winning, they basically want others to lose money so they can gain and make a profit. It may not be the case, but in actuality, it is just so.
The Bible also cautions against viewing luck as a mystic force that might give us blessings. There were people in ancient Israel who lacked faith in God and began to [b]"set a table for the God of prosperity."[/b] Some would ask if this dedication to the [b]"God of Fortune"[/b] would be acceptable to God. Definitely not, our heavenly Father said to them: [quote]"You have continued to do wrongdoing in my sight, and have chosen to displease me."[/quote] [b](Isaiah 65:11, and 12)[/b]
It is an undeniable fact that in some parts of the world, funds from legalized gambling have been used to pay for [b]education[/b], [b]economic development[/b], and other forms of [b]public programs[/b]. However, [b]the use of those funds does not change how they were obtained.[/b] Through the activities that promote and encourage greed and selfishness of getting something for nothing.
You may have wondered or even asked what negative effects can gambling have on its host.
The Bible warns that [quote]"those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin."[/quote] [b](1 Timothy 6:9) [/b] The practice of Gambling is rooted in greed, and greed is so scathing that the Bible lists [b]"greediness"[/b] among some behaviors that should be avoided at all costs. [b](Ephesians 5:3)[/b] Greediness breeds discontent, leaving people unsatisfied with their financial status and robbing them of their happiness. [quote]"A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income."[/quote] [b](Ecclesiastes 5:10)[/b]
Lots of people are lured into gambling and have found themselves baited by a vicious gambling addiction. The problem has become so widespread, with millions of gambling addicts in the world. Some have gone to great lengths to satisfy their needs and habits by [b]stealing, lying, and doing fraudulent activities just to support their addictions.[/b] Gambling has plunged addicts into [b]debt or bankruptcy[/b]. In some cases, it has cost many their [b]jobs, marriage, and or friendships[/b]. One proverb states: [quote]"An inheritance obtained first by greed will not be a blessing in the end."[/quote] [b](Proverbs 20:21)[/b]
When we apply the Bible's guiding principles, it will help us or a person avoid the negative effects that gambling can have on life and happiness.
Although the Bible has no exact mention of gambling that would be considered significant...it does give us God's perspective on the matter. It shows us how God feels about gambling from his perspective.
The bare truth of gambling, making money at the expense of others, contradicts the biblical warning to [quote]"beware of the greed of all kinds."[/quote] [b](Luke 12:15)[/b] Yes, gambling is driven by greed. Gambling institutions promote big jackpots while downplaying low odds, knowing that dreams of wealth lead players to bet big at casinos. If we're going, to be honest too, gambling doesn't really help protect people from the act or behavior of greed but enables the desire to make easy money instead of earning and working hard for money.
Gambling is solely based on the inherent selfish goal of winning money that other players have lost. However, the Bible encourages us to [quote]"seek the interest of others and not our own."[/quote] [b](1 Corinthians 10:24)[/b] This also applies to one of the [b]Ten Commandments[/b] too, which can be found in [b](Exodus 20:17)[/b] [quote]"You must not desire...anything that belongs to your fellow man." [/quote]When a gambler is intent on winning, they basically want others to lose money so they can gain and make a profit. It may not be the case, but in actuality, it is just so.
The Bible also cautions against viewing luck as a mystic force that might give us blessings. There were people in ancient Israel who lacked faith in God and began to [b]"set a table for the God of prosperity."[/b] Some would ask if this dedication to the [b]"God of Fortune"[/b] would be acceptable to God. Definitely not, our heavenly Father said to them: [quote]"You have continued to do wrongdoing in my sight, and have chosen to displease me."[/quote] [b](Isaiah 65:11, and 12)[/b]
It is an undeniable fact that in some parts of the world, funds from legalized gambling have been used to pay for [b]education[/b], [b]economic development[/b], and other forms of [b]public programs[/b]. However, [b]the use of those funds does not change how they were obtained.[/b] Through the activities that promote and encourage greed and selfishness of getting something for nothing.
You may have wondered or even asked what negative effects can gambling have on its host.
The Bible warns that [quote]"those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin."[/quote] [b](1 Timothy 6:9) [/b] The practice of Gambling is rooted in greed, and greed is so scathing that the Bible lists [b]"greediness"[/b] among some behaviors that should be avoided at all costs. [b](Ephesians 5:3)[/b] Greediness breeds discontent, leaving people unsatisfied with their financial status and robbing them of their happiness. [quote]"A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income."[/quote] [b](Ecclesiastes 5:10)[/b]
Lots of people are lured into gambling and have found themselves baited by a vicious gambling addiction. The problem has become so widespread, with millions of gambling addicts in the world. Some have gone to great lengths to satisfy their needs and habits by [b]stealing, lying, and doing fraudulent activities just to support their addictions.[/b] Gambling has plunged addicts into [b]debt or bankruptcy[/b]. In some cases, it has cost many their [b]jobs, marriage, and or friendships[/b]. One proverb states: [quote]"An inheritance obtained first by greed will not be a blessing in the end."[/quote] [b](Proverbs 20:21)[/b]
When we apply the Bible's guiding principles, it will help us or a person avoid the negative effects that gambling can have on life and happiness.
22-25, M
