GAMBLING

By: Richard Kirkland

Introduction:

                        A.        For those of us who profess to be Christians, this is an important opportunity for us to take a stand against the proliferation of those activities which are altogether contrary to the spirit of Christ.  There are many arguments that can be advanced from the biblical perspective against gambling.  I heave never heard yet one argument that has been advanced from precept or principle of the Bible in favor of gambling.  The only argument which a Christian might advance in support of gambling might also be used (and in fact is being used today) in support of many other innovations which have been consistently deplored, detested and resisted by the Christian community -- the Bible doesn’t specifically say “thou shalt not.”

                        B.         The Bible is a book of principles, commands and examples.  We must look to all of these to find either support for or opposition to the Christian participating in gambling.  This we will endeavor to do today.

I.          WHAT IS WRONG WITH GAMBLING?

                        A.        Gambling defined: “Gambling is the risky putting up of one’s possession in hopes of getting another's without just and due compensation.”

                        B.         Gambling involves covetousness, violates the Golden Rule, violates the command of love, violates the principle of giving to others, violates the work ethic, demonstrates poor stewardship, and have evil companions.

II.            GAMBLING INVOLVES COVETOUSNESS.

                        A.        Covetousness is the inordinate desire of that which belongs to another.  Unscrupulous businessmen practice this sin everyday when they oppress the poor and disadvantaged for this own gain.  Covetousness is not involved when a person offers a service or product at a reasonable price.  Supply and demand controls the marketplace, but covetousness is involved when customers are gouged by overpriced services or products.  Christian business people cannot participate in such things without being guilty of sin.

                        B.         Gambling involves covetousness because it seeks to gain from others without providing any benefit in return.

                        C.        The Bible consistently condemns covetousness and lists it among the most consequential sins that may be committed.

                                                1.         “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5).

                                                2.         “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:3-5).

III.            GAMBLING VIOLATES THE GOLDEN RULE.

                        A.        The Golden Rule is one of the finest statements of Christian conduct.  “Therefore, whatever you want me to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

                        B.         The spirit of this commandment is that we do nothing to hurt the other person and contrariwise we put ourselves in the position of the other person and try to treat them like we would want to be treated in the same circumstance.  The Good Samaritan illustrates this behavior (Luke 10:25-37).

IV.            GAMBLING DEMONSTRATES A LACK OF LOVE FOR OUR FELLOW MAN.

                        A.        Matthew 22:37-39.  Love your neighbor as yourself.

                        B.         1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — “Love...is kind; love does not envy; love does not ...seek its own”.

V.            GAMBLING VIOLATES THE LAW OF GIVING.

                        A.        Gambling has been defined as “stealing by consent.”

                        B.         Ephesians 4:28.

                        C.        Does gambling fit the Lord Jesus Christ’s statement, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

VI.            GAMBLING VIOLATES THE WORK ETHIC.

                        A.        Gambling exists because of the desire of people to “get rich quick and easy.” In other words, to get rich by hook or crook without having to exchange a fair amount of work for a fair amount of pay.

                        B.         Paul taught, both by example and command, that we are to work for our pay.  “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.  For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:7-10).

VII.            GAMBLING DEMONSTRATES POOR STEWARDSHIP.

                        A.        Don’t I have the right to do as I please with what belongs to me?

                        1.         Yes and no.  We are free moral agents, thus we have the freedom to make choices for ourselves about whether we will do right or not.  But once the choice has been made to serve God, we give up our right to choose how we will live.  Everything about our lives becomes subject to the will of God.

                        2.         “You are not your own...” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

B.         Stewardship.

                        A.        Steward defined.

                        B.         Stewardship explained.

                        C.        Stewardship exemplified.

VIII.            GAMBLING HAS EVIL COMPANIONS.

                        A.        “You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:16-17).

                        B.         George Washington — “Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.”

                                         C.        Deceit and cheating, strong drink, evil people, violence, murder, disobedience to law, organized crime, unpaid debts, theft to pay gambling debts, neglected and hungry families, suicides, etc. are a few of gambling’s companions.        

IX.            GAMBLING IS NOT BOLSTERED BY WEAK OR FOOLISH ARGUMENTS.

                        A.        Many of the arguments given to support gambling are just silly.  Surely those who use them know how foolish they must be!

                        B.         Business (farming) is a gamble.

                        C.        Life is a gamble.

                        D.        Gambling is just a harmless form of entertainment.  Much that is entertaining is nevertheless sinful!

                        1.         “Just a dime.” Another says, “Just a dollar.” Another says, “Just a C note.”

                        2.         Just a little sin is not justification.  The fact that sin is committed in degrees does not make the beginning of it any less sinful than the end of it.

Conclusion:

                        A.        There are too many arguments against gambling for Christians to support or encourage it.

                        B.         Every Christian who does not vote against gambling is doing a disservice to their state and God.