Introduction
• Is Gambling
–Innocent?
–Extra Income?
–Something to fund our
scholarships with?
–Something Sinful anyway you look
at it?
Gambling has a History!
• Gambling is almost as old as the race.
• Ancient Babylon engaged in the vice.
• Ancient Egyptians and at least six centuries before Abraham was
born.
• Cretans were gambling in the 17th century BC.
• There were gambling Greeks during the time of Homer and he
lived about 850 BC or earlier. (Contemporary with Elijah and Ahab)
• Herodotus, father of history, said gambling was going on during his
era.
• Aristotle lifted his powerful pen and valiant voice against gambling
in Greece during the 4th Century.
• Roman soldiers pitched coins to see whether heads or tails would
win the available prize.
• Caligula was a compulsive gambler.
• America is swarmed with it today!
• But, just because America has made gambling
something that it is legal and since gambling has
a long time history, does it make it OK to
participate in?
– NO IT DOES NOT!!!
• Where does the Bible condemn gambling?
– The Bible condemns sin either:
• (1) explicitly, (thou shall not),
• (2) implicitly (the principles involved in the thing is
condemned)
• (3) because there is no authority in Christianity for the
thing done.
I.
HAS GOD
AUTHORIZED OR
NOT AUTHORIZED
GAMBLING?
Argument # 1
1. If it is the case that everything not
authorized by God’s Word is sinful,
2. And if it is the case that gambling is
not authorized by God’s word,
3. Then, it is the case that gambling is
sinful.
Argument # 2
• It is the case that everything not
authorized by God’s word is sinful
(Col. 3:17)
• It is the case that gambling is not
authorized by God’s Word.
• Therefore, gambling is sinful.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Gifts
– Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into
the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:
and when they had opened their treasures, they
presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense,
and myrrh.
– Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger,
feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Debt
– Matthew 18:23-25 23 Therefore is the kingdom of
heaven likened unto a certain king, which would
take account of his servants. 24 And when he had
begun to reckon, one was brought unto him,
which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But
forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be
made.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Interest
– Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have
put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with
usury.
• Investment
– Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the
money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Labor
– Ephesians 4:28 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.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Fines or penalties
– Rom 13:1-5
– 2 Samuel 12:6 And he shall restore the lamb
fourfold, because he did this thing, and because
he had no pity.
– Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto
the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I
give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing
from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold.
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• Taxes
– Romans 13:6-7 6 Forfor this cause pay ye tribute also: for
they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this
very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to
whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to
whom fear; honour to whom honour.
• Trade
– James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow
we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain:
God has AUTHORIZED 8 ways that
money can be exchanged or gained
• The argument rests: Gambling is simply a
non-authorized way of or gaining money!
• Where is the verse that teaches that I have a
right to put my brother under obligation to
me strictly by the avenue of chance when my
brother does not want to lose. He wants to
keep his goods. Gambling is a means of
stealing.
II.
WHAT IS
GAMBLING?
Definition
• Webster defines gambling:
– To play game for money or other stakes; to hazard,
wager; to stake or wager in gaming; a transaction
involving a risk of uncertainty.
• Definition
– There are 3 things that when come together, you
have gambling:
• An uncertain, arbitrary event
• The wager (something of value) that is deliberately
chanced on a particular outcome
• A winner and a loser – the winner wins at the direct loss of
the other gambler(s)
What all involves as being
“Gambling”?
• What does Not?
– Sweepstakes,
– Door prizes
– Drawings?
– For example:
• Publisher’s Clearing House
– It doesn’t fit the definition of gambling
– Why do these not fit?
• It does not fit the definition of gambling!
– You are not wagering any money!
– Therefore, you are not losing anything!
What all involves as being
“Gambling”?
• What DOES include being gambling?
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Lottery
Bingo
Cake Raffles
Selling chances
Card Games
Slot Machines
Claw Machines
Etc.
How are these considered to be gambling?
• An uncertain, arbitrary event
• The wager (something of value) that is deliberately chanced on a
particular outcome
• A winner and a loser – the winner wins at the direct loss of the other
gambler(s)
III.
WHY GAMBLING
IS SINFUL!
Gambling is wrong because it
goes squarely against the first of
all commandments.
• Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto
him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy
mind.
It violates the New Testament
obligation of Faithful
Stewardship
• 1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the
gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in
stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Statistics of winning the
lottery
18 million to 1
120 million to 1
Statistics of winning the lottery
The odds of being struck by lightning is
2,650,000 to 1.
(You are 45 times more likely to die from a lightning strike than to
win the lottery.)
You are 120 times more likely to die from flesh eating bacteria than
to win the lottery.
The chances of 2 out of 3 people making a hole-in-one on the same
hole are higher than winning the lottery.
You are 1,200 times more likely to die from a snake bite or bee sting
than to win the lottery.
If you drive 10 miles to purchase a lottery ticket, you are 20 times
more likely to be killed in a car accident than to win the jackpot.
Statistics of winning the lottery
God is going to stand us accountable for our
stewardship!
It violates the Golden Rule
• Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things
whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law
and the prophets.
• Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
• Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his
neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of
the law.
It violates the Golden Rule
It is no longer the golden
rule, but the iron rule!
“Get all that you can from
other by hook, crook, or by
whatever means available.”
Gambling promotes laziness
and quenches the desire for
honest work.
• Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man,
and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it
and to keep it.
• Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou
eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for
out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and
unto dust shalt thou return.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were
with you, this we commanded you, that if any
would not work, neither should he eat.
Gambling, like other vices, becomes
addictive and makes a slave of the
participant.
• If someone wins, they want to win again.
• If someone loses, they want to play and play again to
win.
• The Nevada observer Reports:
– The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• “Gambling is recession proof”
• We have a “Gamblers Anonymous” website
• On the back of lottery tickets in Texas had a number
for “The Gamblers Helpline”
– The biggest gambling problem in Texas is the Lottery
– It led with 73%
Gambling, like other vices, becomes
addictive and makes a slave of the
participant.
• Wayne Jackson study:
– 43% of people who gamble have a tendency towards
“compulsion” that results in them spending more
money than they can afford.
• 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me,
but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under
the power of any.
• Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.
Gambling is sinful because it fails
the “Fruit” test
• Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for
evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all
men.
• 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger
women marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to speak
reproachfully.
• 2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.
Gambling is sinful because it fails
the “Fruit” test
• Matthew 17:17-20 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O
faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him
hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he
departed out of him: and the child was cured from
that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus
apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Gambling is sinful because it fails
the “Fruit” test
• What type of fruit does gambling produce?
– Gulfport, Mississippi
•
•
•
•
•
•
Murder up 75 %
Rape up 200%
Robbery up 311%
Assaults up 64%
Burglary up 100%
Car theft up 160 %
• 3 years after casinos arrived, Atlantic City
went from 50th to 1st in per-capita crime.
Gambling is sinful because it fails
the “Fruit” test
• Las Vegas, Nevada
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1st in suicide
1st in divorce
1st in dropouts
1st in homicide against women
High in gambling addiction
3rd in bankruptcy
3rd in abortion
4th in rape
4th in out-of-wedlock births
4th in alcohol related deaths
5th in crime
6th in prisoners locked-up
Last in voter participation
Gambling is sinful because it fails
the “Fruit” test
• So many times we see the happiness on the
billboards of the lottery, but it does not show
the real story; This man lost everything!
Gambling breeds dishonesty and
deceit.
• These people often have to steal to try to
cover their gambling debts.
• Matthew 7:17-18 17 Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot
bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
Gambling is a destroyer of the
home.
• Many who gamble cannot buy food, clothing,
etc. for the family.
• 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his
own, and specially for those of his own
house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel.
Gambling is wrong due to the motive
that keeps it going.
• Covetous, greedy desire for gain at another’s expense, its
evil excitement and its combativeness to be a willing
winner with all others as reluctant losers.
• Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his
manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
• Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware
of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which he possesseth.
• Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Gambling is the enemy of mental
serenity.
• Many have committed suicide because of the
gambling losses. I wonder how many people
the mob has killed because they could not
pay their gambling debt?
It is wrong because it takes and
does not give.
• The gambling operator is not a giver, but a
taker!
Gambling is wrong because it looks
to luck and fortune – not to the Lord
and the faith.
• Matthew 6:19-20 Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break
through and steal: 20 But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and
where thieves do not break through nor
steal:
Gambling is wrong because it makes
one believe and trust in himself
rather than to God!
• Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom
of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.
Gambling preys on the weaknesses
of others
• Christian principles are totally opposite of this.
• Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.
• It steals from the poor and robs from the hungry.
• Most of the people that plays the lottery are the poor
people in the community.
• It has been reported that these people pay about 3X the
normal amount than those in the upper ways of living.
• The state lotteries in Connecticut and Massachusetts were
equivalent to a state sales tax of over 60 percent on
lower-income groups.
IV.
OBJECTIONS IN
DEFENSE OF
GAMBLING
Objections
• There is not a verse in the Bible that says NOT to.
– Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be
diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall
increase.
• All of life is a risk.
– It is not wrong because of the risk!
• Gambling is no different from investing in the
stock market.
– This is different!
• Exchange and money is working for you.
– Mat 25:14-30
Objections
• Good comes from it.
– Lie that so many states have been saying.
– “Using it for education.”
• Statement of the Devil.
– Abortion – stem cell research.
– Etc.
– Gambling Study
• “The social problems created by gambling (e.g., gambling addiction,
domestic abuse, suicide, crime, indebtedness, etc.) outweigh by far any
benefits to the community. In fact, the gambling enterprise costs taxpayers
$3 for every $1 of state revenue collected.”
– Creighton University Study
• “Counties with casinos have soon doubled the bankruptcy rate of counties
without casinos.”
– Nevada website states
• 1/3 of the funds are given to education.
• But Nevada Education QUICKFACTS states: 15% of educational funding
comes from “gaming taxes”.
Objections
• “I only spend a dollar a week.”
– “It gives me something to hope for.”
• Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal:
– You are wasting money!
– It would hard be hard to turn to the person behind
you in line and tell them about the gospel.
– The” Little Bit” Argument
• Pornography
• Lord’s Name in vain
• Cheat
CONCLUSION
• Gambling is a sin no matter how you roll the
dice!!!
• The wages of Sin is DEATH!
– Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
• If you are in Sin, YOU NEED TO GET OUT!
• If you are guilty of Gambling, it is time you put up
the dice and put on Christ!