Addictive Behaviors
Gambling
Labor, not Lottery
God
planted a garden with ample
provisions (Gen. 2:8)
Man to tend & keep it (Gen. 2:15-17)
Entrance of sin: Ground cursed
– Man would eat by sweat of brow
(Gen. 3:17-19)
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
2
Gift of God: Labor & the
Ability to Enjoy its Fruit
Eccl. 5:18-20: 18 Here is what I have seen:
It is good and fitting for one to eat and
drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor
in which he toils under the sun all the days
of his life which God gives him; for it is his
heritage.
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
3
Gift of God: Labor & the
Ability to Enjoy its Fruit
Eccl. 5:18-20: 19 As for every man to whom
God has given riches and wealth, and given him
power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and
rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20
For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his
life, because God keeps him busy with the joy
of his heart.
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
4
Our Concern Today
How
one chooses to obtain, use and
“enjoy the good of all his labor”
The priority being placed on material
possessions (Matt. 6:24, 33)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
5
Do not Trust in Wealth
(Matthew 6:21)
 Psa.
62:10: “Do not trust in oppression, nor
vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do
not set your heart on them.”
 1 Tim. 6:17: “Command those who are rich in
this present age not to be haughty, nor to
trust in uncertain riches but in the living God,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy.”
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
6
Do not Trust in Wealth
(Matthew 6:21)
Rather
than be content, many are
minded to be rich, and…
“fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction and
perdition.” (1 Tim. 6:9)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
7
The Wisdom & Welfare
of Labor
 Prov.
12:11-12: “He who tills his land
will be satisfied with bread, but he who
follows frivolity is devoid of
understanding. The wicked covet the
catch of evil men, but the root of the
righteous yields fruit.”
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
8
The Vanity of Gambling
Eccl.
5:10: “He who loves silver
will not be satisfied with silver;
Nor he who loves abundance,
with increase. This also is
vanity.”
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
9
Gambling Invites Impatience,
not Contentment (1 Tim. 6:6-8)
 Gambling’s
appeal is raw greed: It is
material, fleshly, worldly, profane &
passing (Heb. 11:25)
 Gambling’s hope is false & futile
 Gambling deceives millions & plunges
many into sinful & addictive behavior
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
10
Popularity of Gambling
Costly…and
Convenient
$482 billion wagered in 1994
– 2002 Super Bowl: $4 billion wagered
– Legal wagering on NCAA men’s
basketball tourney surpasses Super Bowl
– Internet: $6 billion revenue in 2003;
estimated to be $17 billion by 2009
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
11
Culture of Gambling
(Prov. 1:15-16)
In
1910, virtually all forms prohibited
America’s pastime (14% never gambled)
–
–
–
–
2003: 3 times more Americans visited
casinos than baseball games
2003: Spent more on casinos than
amusement parks & movies combined
50% played the lottery in 1998
Considered “harmless diversion”
What is Gambling?
Not
–
–
merely risk, Eccl. 9:11
“wagering of money or other item of
value on an uncertain event” (Encarta, 2004)
“to play at any game of chance for
stakes… to stake or risk money, or
anything of value, on the outcome of
something involving chance…bet;
wager” (Random House College Dictionary, p. 542)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
13
Two Elements
CHANCE
WAGER
on the outcome
of that chance
14
What is Gambling?
 Normal
risk of business is not gambling
as we are discussing it
–
–
–
Farming has risks (weather, pests, disease,
weeds, etc.)
Farmer minimizes risk by intelligent planning,
careful calculations, hard work and prayer!
His profit is not at the expense of others,
and the risk is not contrived
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
15
What is Gambling?
A
wager is made whereby one stands
to gain at the loss of others
–
–
–
–
Risk is engineered into the game
Object is to win while others lose
Winnings once belonged to the losers
It is not a “victimless” activity in which
“nobody gets hurt”
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
16
Legal Forms of Gambling
in the State of Washington
horse racing
 punchboards and pulltabs
 fund raising events such as casino nights, bingo,
raffles, amusement games
 contests of chance operated by charitable and
non-profit organizations
 card rooms
 the lottery
 casinos & bingo halls

(Washington State Council on Problem Gambling,
http://www.wscpg.org/index.html)
What is Gambling?
Problem
of identity
Gambling industry prefers “GAMING”
– Fund raising, revenue enhancement,
recreation, entertainment, disease
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
18
What is Gambling?
Problem
–
of identity
Types of gamblers:
•
•
•
•
Casual Social, Serious Social
Relief and Escape, Problem
Pathological or Compulsive
Antisocial and Professional
(“Types of Gambling Behavior,” WSCPG,
http://www.wscpg.org/h/types.htm)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
19
What is Gambling?
Problem
of immorality
– Gambling
is sin!
Fulfillment of worldly lusts
(1 Jno. 2:15-17)
• Not holy living (1 Pet. 1:15-16)
•
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
20
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Covetousness,
–
–
Lk. 12:15 (Rom. 13:9)
Covet (epithumeo): “to fix the desire upon…
to long for, lust after, covet” (Vine, 136)
Covetousness (pleonexia): lit., “a desire to
have more” (Ibid.); Eager for more
•
•
Greediness, Eph. 4:19
Not to be named among saints, Eph. 5:3
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
21
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Covetousness,
Lk. 12:15 (Rom. 13:9)
– Idolatry: Desire fixed on riches & not
on God, Eph. 5:5
– Gambling worships the false god of
money … put it to death! Col. 3:5-6
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
22
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Selfishness
(Matt. 22:39)
– Love does not harm its neighbor – but
gambling does! Rom. 13:10
•
Gambling is a selfish ambition that
esteems self above others, Phil. 2:3
(2 Tim. 3:2)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
23
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Waste
of material blessings,
Luke 16:10-12
– Rejects responsibility of stewardship
in pursuit of the elusive pot of gold
– Serving riches shows hate for God,
Lk. 16:13
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
24
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Evil
–
–
–
–
companions, Jas. 3:11-12
Greed, covetousness, dishonesty
Domestic violence, child abuse, adultery
& broken homes
Theft, extortion, fraud, organized crime
& prostitution
Alcohol, drugs, murder & suicide
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
25
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Evil
–
–
–
companions, 1 Cor. 15:33
Destroys credibility, honesty, reliability &
family stability
Causes great sorrow, pain and regret…
“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”
“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,
than great treasure with trouble.”
(Prov. 15:16)
26
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Burden
on society, Prov. 14:34
Gambling is generally viewed as
profitable to society; Regulated &
taxed by government
– Offered as a solution for funding
education & social programs
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
27
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Honolulu Police Department:
“We are convinced that gambling exploits those
who can least afford it, and undermines
community values. For example:
1. 15.4 million Americans are problem or
pathological gamblers, with more than 50
percent between 12 to 18 years of age.
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
28
Sinful Traits of Gambling
“2. Social and economic costs include
unemployment benefits, welfare benefits,
physical and mental health problems, theft,
embezzlement, bankruptcy, suicide, child
abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, divorce,
incarceration, work absences, and
homelessness.”
(Honolulu Police Department Website,
http://www.honolulupd.org/nv/gamblingposition.htm)
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Burden
on society, Prov. 14:34
Real cost: $3 of taxpayers’ money for
every $1 raised through gambling!
– Christians must be salt & light,
Matt. 5:13-16
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
30
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Does
not promote godliness
Not the image of Christ, Romans 8:29
– Hinders sober, righteous and godly
living, Titus 2:11-12
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
31
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Deceptive,
–
–
–
–
–
Jas. 1:16
“It’s just harmless entertainment”
“It’s a legal business enterprise”
“It’s for a good cause” (Rom. 3:8)
“It’s only wrong if you can’t afford it”
(Prov. 14:12)
“It won’t cost me my soul” (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
32
Sinful Traits of Gambling
Deceptive,
–Selfishly
Jas. 1:16
exploits a lack of self-control
“While they promise them liberty, they
themselves are slaves of corruption; for by
whom a person is overcome, by him also he
is brought into bondage.” (2 Pet. 2:19)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
33
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present
–
–
–
–
in the electronic media
“World Poker Tour” (Travel Channel)
“World Series of Poker” (ESPN)
“Celebrity Poker Showdown” (Bravo)
“The Casino” (Fox)
(“Online Gambling and Casino Reviews,”
http://gamblinglinks.com/nw_tv.html)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
34
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present
in the electronic media
Internet gambling is exploding
– 73 million (up 20 million in 5 years)
will visit online casinos an average of
6 times annually, losing billions of
dollars
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
35
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present
–
–
on high school campuses
Teenagers gamble sooner than they smoke
& drink (University of Minnesota, 1998)
87% gambled for money (’96 Conn. study)
•
40% involved in some form of statesanctioned gambling
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
36
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present
–
–
–
–
on college campuses
One Indiana U. junior lost $55,000 (mostly
online poker) (Sports Illustrated, May 30, 2005)
85% involved in some form of gambling
(23% on weekly basis) (1991 study)
72% college football & basketball players
while in college (Univ. of Michigan, 1998)
672,000 students “addicted” in 1997
37
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present
in many homes
As close at the Internet & TV!
– Wastes money, time & energy
– Destroys trust & security, leading to
despair, divorce…
–
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
38
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present at the workplace
–
–
–
Office “pool” on the big game
Establishes a pattern of acceptance
Lessens resistance to other forms
•
–
“If a little gambling is okay, then what’s wrong
with more?”
Social gambling is defended by an appeal
to consistency & as being “harmless fun”
39
Seduction of Gambling
(1 Cor. 15:33-34; Eph. 5:5-7)
Present in the church
–
–
–
Christians approving of and participating in
lotteries, charity raffles & bingo, casinos…
Increasingly tolerant of gambling
Increasingly intolerant of reproof & rebuke
• Covetousness should “not even be
named among you, as is fitting for saints”
(Eph. 5:3)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
40
Sinful Traits of Gambling
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an evil heart of unbelief in departing
from the living God; but exhort one
another daily, while it is called “Today,”
lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb. 3:12-13)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
41
The Sin of Gambling
Encourages
laziness & lust
“The desire of the lazy man kills him, for
his hands refuse to labor. He covets
greedily all day long, but the righteous
gives and does not spare.”
(Prov. 21:25-26)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
42
The Sin of Gambling
Discourages labor & encourages
“get rich quick” mentality

“He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows frivolity will have poverty
enough! A faithful man will abound with
blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will
not go unpunished.” (Prov. 28:19-20)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
43
The Sin of Gambling
Encourages
–
–
greed & discontentment
Gambling thrives on a constant desire for
more, 1 Tim. 6:9-10
Be content, not covetous (Heb. 13:5)
•
•
Coupled with godliness (1 Tim. 6:6-8)
Faith in Christ’s provisions (Phil. 4:11-13;
Matt. 6:33)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
44
The Sin of Gambling
Encourages
gets hurt”)
–
selfishness (“nobody
Selfish heart does hurt others & oneself!
•
•
“Lovers of themselves” and “lovers of
money” are truly “unloving” (2 Tim. 3:2-3)
“Lovers of pleasure” rather than
“lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
45
The Sin of Gambling
Encourages
–
–
reckless stewardship
Shows oneself to be unworthy of the true
riches (Lk. 16:9-13)
Trust in money will leave you bankrupt on
the Day of Judgment (Matt. 16:26)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
46
Beware of Gambling!
“A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
and does not consider that poverty will come
upon him.” (Prov. 28:22)
With self-denial, we must follow Jesus…
“…as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts which war against the soul”
(1 Pet. 2:11)
Addictive Behaviors: Gambling
47