GAMBLING: THE DEVIL’S WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
By Bibleman
“Tragically ten million North Americans are compulsive gamblers, psychologically addicted to an activity that robs them of their money, their employment, and often their families. Many are driven to drug and alcohol addiction, crime, or suicide by their uncontrollable gambling lust. Gambling is not a simple risk taking, equated with operating a business or driving on a busy freeway. It devises artificial risks in pursuit of excessive and unearned gains based almost entirely on chance or “luck.†For those who take the scriptures seriously gambling cannot be an option. (Handbook For Christian Living, Paul A. Kienel, editor, p. 135) Statistics indicate that gambling is a major contributor to divorce, child abuse, job loss, unpaid debts, property loss, alcoholism, prostitution, drug abuse, stealing, crime and suicide. When a State or Nation endorses and legalizes gambling it becomes a “pimp†that promotes and encourages lust and covetousness for the sole profit of the State. Legalized gambling only erodes the moral fiber of society while producing more revenues for the gaming industry, crime syndicates and corrupt politicians.
Gambling Violates the Laws of God
Gambling violates many of God’s laws and scriptural principles that are to govern the actions of Christians.
1) Principle of good Stewardship.
Gambling violates the Biblical Principle of good stewardship. This principle is violated when the gambler becomes unfaithful with his God-given assets (1 Cor. 4:1,2). Christians cannot honor the Lord by gambling away their God-given income and resources (Prov. 3:9). Christians must not ignore God’s requirements for responsible stewardship. Christians are responsible for properly caring and providing for their family and honoring the Lord with all of their income, and resources (1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:14). God has ordained that ones resources and income are to come only from honest work (2 Thes. 3:10), wise investments (Luk. 19:1-27), and inheritance (2 Cor. 12:14; Luk. 15:12). Christians should never foolishly squander their God-given resources by gambling them away. Such unworthy stewardship practices eventually leads to poverty and bankruptcy. Repent of unworthy stewardship practices and become involved in the Biblical principles of good stewardship (Luk. 15:12-32).
2) Violates the Biblical Work Ethic
The desire to obtain money or wealth by unearned and dishonorable means violates the Biblical work ethic that God instituted for man (Gen. 3:19; Prov. 13:11; Jer. 17:11; Gal. 6:5; 1 Thes. 4:11,12). Unearned money, which the Bible calls “filthy lucreâ€, that is obtained by gambling is dishonorable and unacceptable to God (Deut. 23:18). Gambling addicts become slothful and indifferent to the Biblical work ethic by continually hoping for an opportunity at free unearned gains or a “big win†(Prov. 24:30-31; Heb. 6:12). The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to avoid any who violate God’s work ethic and warn those who walk disorderly of their evil ways (2 Thes. 3:3-15).
3) Admonition Against Worldliness
Gambling violates God’s admonition against worldliness. Christians are not to waste their time and money on anything that does not bring glory to God (Ep. 5:15-17; 1 Cor. 10:31). Gambling is a worldly venture that Christians are commanded to avoid and abstain from (1 Thes. 5:22). Christians are to live a life of separation from that which has the appearance of evil and they are not to participate in the activities of the ungodly (1 Thes. 5:22; Jam. 1;27, 4:4). Christians are not to be conformed to worldly lusts nor desire their fulfillment but are to be completely severed of such influences (Rom. 12:2; Gal. 6:14; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Failure to follow the Biblical admonitions against worldliness can result in spiritual corruption and a fall from grace ( 2 Pet. 1:4; 2 Tim. 4:10).
4) Violates Servantship
Christians are to be faithful servants to God not to some sinful and enslaving addiction (Rom. 6:16). Gambling is servitude to the false god of mammon. Jesus said that “No man can serve two masters…Ye cannot serve God and mammon†(Mt. 6:24). The gambler violates the first commandment (Ex. 20:3) when he chooses to follow the god of mammon. The gambler makes mammon, the god of fortune, his god by following the laws of chance and coveting unearned wealth rather than obeying the laws of God (1 Tim. 6:9-12). The gambler, who cannot love God with all his heart, violates this commandment of Jesus in Mt. 22:37,38, because he is an idolater lusting after mammon. Kwan Ti is the god of mammon that Chinese gamblers direct their prayers to.
5) Violates the 10th Commandment
Christians are not to lust after or covet anything that does not belong to them (Ex. 20:17; Rom. 13:9). Covetousness is a form of idolatry that catches the gambler in the snare of lust, greed and wantonness (Rom. 13:9-13; Col. 3:5).
6) Violates the Laws of Love
Gamblers violate the laws of love set forth by Christ. Jesus commanded us to love one another and refrain from any activities that would rob our children, break up our families, dishonor our parents, and neglect the welfare of our families (Mt. 7:11, 15:4, 19:19, 22:39; Ep. 6:2
. We have a Biblical duty and responsibility to care for and properly provide for our families. Statistics often indicate that gambling greatly hinders our Biblical responsibilities to those around us resulting in a serious dereliction of our duty to them. Jesus taught that the right way is self-sacrifice rather than selfishness and greed (Jn. 13:34). Gambling which seeks to profit from another’s loss only promotes a greedy, selfish spirit, that emphasizes getting rather than giving (1 Thes. 4:4-12)
7) Violates Faith in God
Gamblers who put their faith in luck or chance with the hope of winning big (get-rich-quick-schemes) should instead put their trust in God who deeply cares about each of us and who can adequately provide for every need (Mt. 6:25-34). Jesus said true believers are those who hear his voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:26-28). Christians are to us their faith in God to resist and overcome worldly addictions such as gambling and then walk and live by faith (1 Jn. 2:2:13-17; Ep. 6:16; Rom. 1:17, 4:12).
The Law of Compensation
Gamblers who live to play on the devil’s wheel of fortune must some day give an account of their stewardship at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). The Biblical law of compensation or the sowing and reaping principle will condemn the gambler (Gal. 6:7,8). According to the word of God the consequences for gambling could include: poverty (Prov. 18:9, 21:25, 28:22), chastisement (Heb. 12:3-14), judgment (Col. 3:6), spiritual depravity (1 Tim. 6:9) and the permanent loss of ones salvation (Gal. 5:19-21; Ep. 5:5).
Repentance is Necessary!
Gambling is a sinful addiction, an abomination to God and a work of the flesh that must be confessed to God. Why lose your soul to the god of mammon and lust? Repent and allow God to forgive you and cleanse you of this unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:6-9). After being cleansed of this sin have no more fellowship with this unfruitful work of darkness (Ep. 5:11) but “put on the new man who like God is created in righteousness and true holiness†(Ep. 4:24; Rom. 13:14).
Prayer to overcome Gambling!
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for You to forgive me of the sin of gambling. Forgive me of being an unfaithful steward of the resources You gave to me and for having wasted those resources. Forgive me for having violated Your moral laws and principles. Forgive me for having broken Your commandments. Forgive me of this coveteous lust to get and obtain in an ungodly manner and forgive me for all the heartache and pain this has caused me and my family. I repent of this gambling addiction and renounce this ungodly practice. I no longer desire to be a slave to this ungodly habit or be brought under its power. Cleanse me of this sin and from all my unrighteousness. Deliver me and set me free from this gambling addiction. Strip away this old nature, with its sinful habits, from my life and help me to renew my mind and put on the new nature. Thank you, Lord, for delivering me from this sinful gambling addiction and for cleansing me of my sins. I choose to walk in all your ways and to love You and serve You with all my heart and with all my soul, in Jesus name, amen!
By Bibleman
“Tragically ten million North Americans are compulsive gamblers, psychologically addicted to an activity that robs them of their money, their employment, and often their families. Many are driven to drug and alcohol addiction, crime, or suicide by their uncontrollable gambling lust. Gambling is not a simple risk taking, equated with operating a business or driving on a busy freeway. It devises artificial risks in pursuit of excessive and unearned gains based almost entirely on chance or “luck.†For those who take the scriptures seriously gambling cannot be an option. (Handbook For Christian Living, Paul A. Kienel, editor, p. 135) Statistics indicate that gambling is a major contributor to divorce, child abuse, job loss, unpaid debts, property loss, alcoholism, prostitution, drug abuse, stealing, crime and suicide. When a State or Nation endorses and legalizes gambling it becomes a “pimp†that promotes and encourages lust and covetousness for the sole profit of the State. Legalized gambling only erodes the moral fiber of society while producing more revenues for the gaming industry, crime syndicates and corrupt politicians.
Gambling Violates the Laws of God
Gambling violates many of God’s laws and scriptural principles that are to govern the actions of Christians.
1) Principle of good Stewardship.
Gambling violates the Biblical Principle of good stewardship. This principle is violated when the gambler becomes unfaithful with his God-given assets (1 Cor. 4:1,2). Christians cannot honor the Lord by gambling away their God-given income and resources (Prov. 3:9). Christians must not ignore God’s requirements for responsible stewardship. Christians are responsible for properly caring and providing for their family and honoring the Lord with all of their income, and resources (1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:14). God has ordained that ones resources and income are to come only from honest work (2 Thes. 3:10), wise investments (Luk. 19:1-27), and inheritance (2 Cor. 12:14; Luk. 15:12). Christians should never foolishly squander their God-given resources by gambling them away. Such unworthy stewardship practices eventually leads to poverty and bankruptcy. Repent of unworthy stewardship practices and become involved in the Biblical principles of good stewardship (Luk. 15:12-32).
2) Violates the Biblical Work Ethic
The desire to obtain money or wealth by unearned and dishonorable means violates the Biblical work ethic that God instituted for man (Gen. 3:19; Prov. 13:11; Jer. 17:11; Gal. 6:5; 1 Thes. 4:11,12). Unearned money, which the Bible calls “filthy lucreâ€, that is obtained by gambling is dishonorable and unacceptable to God (Deut. 23:18). Gambling addicts become slothful and indifferent to the Biblical work ethic by continually hoping for an opportunity at free unearned gains or a “big win†(Prov. 24:30-31; Heb. 6:12). The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to avoid any who violate God’s work ethic and warn those who walk disorderly of their evil ways (2 Thes. 3:3-15).
3) Admonition Against Worldliness
Gambling violates God’s admonition against worldliness. Christians are not to waste their time and money on anything that does not bring glory to God (Ep. 5:15-17; 1 Cor. 10:31). Gambling is a worldly venture that Christians are commanded to avoid and abstain from (1 Thes. 5:22). Christians are to live a life of separation from that which has the appearance of evil and they are not to participate in the activities of the ungodly (1 Thes. 5:22; Jam. 1;27, 4:4). Christians are not to be conformed to worldly lusts nor desire their fulfillment but are to be completely severed of such influences (Rom. 12:2; Gal. 6:14; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). Failure to follow the Biblical admonitions against worldliness can result in spiritual corruption and a fall from grace ( 2 Pet. 1:4; 2 Tim. 4:10).
4) Violates Servantship
Christians are to be faithful servants to God not to some sinful and enslaving addiction (Rom. 6:16). Gambling is servitude to the false god of mammon. Jesus said that “No man can serve two masters…Ye cannot serve God and mammon†(Mt. 6:24). The gambler violates the first commandment (Ex. 20:3) when he chooses to follow the god of mammon. The gambler makes mammon, the god of fortune, his god by following the laws of chance and coveting unearned wealth rather than obeying the laws of God (1 Tim. 6:9-12). The gambler, who cannot love God with all his heart, violates this commandment of Jesus in Mt. 22:37,38, because he is an idolater lusting after mammon. Kwan Ti is the god of mammon that Chinese gamblers direct their prayers to.
5) Violates the 10th Commandment
Christians are not to lust after or covet anything that does not belong to them (Ex. 20:17; Rom. 13:9). Covetousness is a form of idolatry that catches the gambler in the snare of lust, greed and wantonness (Rom. 13:9-13; Col. 3:5).
6) Violates the Laws of Love
Gamblers violate the laws of love set forth by Christ. Jesus commanded us to love one another and refrain from any activities that would rob our children, break up our families, dishonor our parents, and neglect the welfare of our families (Mt. 7:11, 15:4, 19:19, 22:39; Ep. 6:2
. We have a Biblical duty and responsibility to care for and properly provide for our families. Statistics often indicate that gambling greatly hinders our Biblical responsibilities to those around us resulting in a serious dereliction of our duty to them. Jesus taught that the right way is self-sacrifice rather than selfishness and greed (Jn. 13:34). Gambling which seeks to profit from another’s loss only promotes a greedy, selfish spirit, that emphasizes getting rather than giving (1 Thes. 4:4-12)7) Violates Faith in God
Gamblers who put their faith in luck or chance with the hope of winning big (get-rich-quick-schemes) should instead put their trust in God who deeply cares about each of us and who can adequately provide for every need (Mt. 6:25-34). Jesus said true believers are those who hear his voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:26-28). Christians are to us their faith in God to resist and overcome worldly addictions such as gambling and then walk and live by faith (1 Jn. 2:2:13-17; Ep. 6:16; Rom. 1:17, 4:12).
The Law of Compensation
Gamblers who live to play on the devil’s wheel of fortune must some day give an account of their stewardship at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10). The Biblical law of compensation or the sowing and reaping principle will condemn the gambler (Gal. 6:7,8). According to the word of God the consequences for gambling could include: poverty (Prov. 18:9, 21:25, 28:22), chastisement (Heb. 12:3-14), judgment (Col. 3:6), spiritual depravity (1 Tim. 6:9) and the permanent loss of ones salvation (Gal. 5:19-21; Ep. 5:5).
Repentance is Necessary!
Gambling is a sinful addiction, an abomination to God and a work of the flesh that must be confessed to God. Why lose your soul to the god of mammon and lust? Repent and allow God to forgive you and cleanse you of this unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:6-9). After being cleansed of this sin have no more fellowship with this unfruitful work of darkness (Ep. 5:11) but “put on the new man who like God is created in righteousness and true holiness†(Ep. 4:24; Rom. 13:14).
Prayer to overcome Gambling!
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask for You to forgive me of the sin of gambling. Forgive me of being an unfaithful steward of the resources You gave to me and for having wasted those resources. Forgive me for having violated Your moral laws and principles. Forgive me for having broken Your commandments. Forgive me of this coveteous lust to get and obtain in an ungodly manner and forgive me for all the heartache and pain this has caused me and my family. I repent of this gambling addiction and renounce this ungodly practice. I no longer desire to be a slave to this ungodly habit or be brought under its power. Cleanse me of this sin and from all my unrighteousness. Deliver me and set me free from this gambling addiction. Strip away this old nature, with its sinful habits, from my life and help me to renew my mind and put on the new nature. Thank you, Lord, for delivering me from this sinful gambling addiction and for cleansing me of my sins. I choose to walk in all your ways and to love You and serve You with all my heart and with all my soul, in Jesus name, amen!
