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A Message to Christians
Each Christian must be governed by the law and consider the will of
Christ in his life. Each one must decide for himself what to do and
where to stand on the issue of casino gambling. Christians need to
carefully consider this subject.
Gambling has never enjoyed a very good reputation among those who
study sociology. True statesmen, patriots, and legislators do not
have much good to say for gambling.
George Washington was a believer in and frequently quoted the French
proverb: "Gambling is the child of avarice [greed], the brother of
iniquity, and the father of mischief." Thomas Jefferson said,
"Gambling corrupts our dispositions and teaches us the habit of
hostility against mankind." The great statesman Benjamin Franklin
said in Poor Richard's Almanac concerning gambling, "Keep flax from
fire, youth from gambling."
Statesmen and leaders such as these can not be brushed aside as
unimportant. They were concerned about the orderly moral development
of our nation. They felt that gambling would be a hindrance to such.
What is Gambling?
Gambling is an artificially created game of chance, completely
separated from all the vital and constructive risks of living. No
skill is involved in most gambling games. In other gambling devices,
skill only slows down the loss of the gambler's money. The only
consistent winner in gambling is the "house" (the casino). The games
are so planned and arranged that the odds are always in favor of the
house.
There are always a few winners, (very few compared with the losers)
but the money these few win is merely an excellent method of
advertising. It is no loss; it merely brings in millions of dollars
more as others see the possibility of winning, too.
The vast majority of gamblers are a sick and disappointed people.
When they do occasionally win, they usually lose it all again.
Free drinks are a part of the sales pitch which the gambling house
offers. Half-dressed girls serve drinks among the crowds
continuously. Since alcohol works fast on the part of the brain that
controls good judgment, the more a person drinks the more freely he
gambles until he has lost his last cent and lost his power to borrow
another dollar. Gambling becomes an addiction, and many feel that it
is harder to cure than alcoholism.
What Evils Result From Gambling?
Gambling is like a cancer, corrupting everything it touches.
Alcoholism is its attendant evil. That's why you see the free drinks
served at the casinos. Prostitution and the use of narcotics are
much more prevalent amongst the casino crowd.
Poverty, divorce, drunkenness, dope addiction, prostitution,
robbery, theft, suicide, and murder are a few of the evils that
gambling promotes. The revenue taken in taxes is hardly worth it
compared to the cost of combating crime, much of which is aggravated
by gambling.
Why Do People Want to Gamble?
Many people say they gamble just for fun. This may be true, to a
point. You see people also drink, smoke, swear, live immoral lives,
and use narcotics, too, just for fun. The Bible says that sin is
pleasure "for a season." It's a very short season, though, and the
hell that follows, both in this world and in the next, makes it a
poor deal all around.
But, really, I wonder sometimes if people do gamble just for fun?
They surely have serious looks on their faces while playing those
slot machines and table games. I witnessed many get angry and curse
when they lost!
I really think most people gamble because they are greedy, and want
to try to get something for nothing. Gambling is really wanting
something that we have no right to have, and without laboring for
it. The gambler wants to reap without sowing.
Does the Bible Give Any Advice to the
Christian in This Matter of Gambling?
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things
are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things." Phil. 4:8. We are to keep out of our thoughts those things
which are dishonorable and are not of good report. Gambling is
surely one of those things.
"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." Eph. 4:28. The right way to get
possessions is by working and not by gambling.
"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." I Tim. 6:10. Covetousness
makes people gamble. A Christian is not to covet, therefore a
Christian should not gamble.
Since life and money are sacred trusts given by God, let us not
squander them, but use them for Christ and the furtherance of His
cause. We have no right to squander our possessions and neither do
we have the right to use the money and life God gives us to satisfy
covetous desires. There is a great day coming when we shall render
an account of our stewardship to God. Let us learn early in life to
use our money for the benefit of the Kingdom of God and the saving
of souls for Christ.
What Should the Christian Do?
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15. That's our job; Christ has
told us what He wants done. Christian, get busy witnessing. "Can't
do it," you say? If you will totally consecrate yourself to God and
ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, then you'll be able to
witness. God guarantees it: "But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8.
Christian, have you ever shared what Christ has done for you with
anyone else? Say you can't do it? That doesn't sound right. My Bible
says, "And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you
fishers of men." Matt. 4:19. Jesus said that if you'd follow Him
that He'd make you a fisher of men, or in other words, a
soul-winner.
Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth." Are we? Have we been the
salt of the earth during this 20th century? I think not. We have
stood back while the secular humanists and atheists have taken the
Bible and prayer out of the public schools, legalized abortion on
demand, legalized gambling in nearly every state in one form or
another, etc. Today adultery is rampant, drug addiction is rampant,
pornography is rampant, homosexuality is rampant. Every type of
moral perversion is considered okay in American culture today. It's
sickening! Who is to blame? The Christian is! We have not been
acting as a preservative as salt should. Let's wake up, fellow
Christian and win this world for Christ as He told us to. |
