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GAMBLING
#1 · September 12, 2003, 4:03 pm
Posted by: henkf <henkf@...>
Sign Language Translator
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GAMBLING
2Cor 6:14-18
INTRODUCTION:
A. In recent months gambling has been in the news media quite a
lot.
B. Many of our civil leaders are looking at various forms of gambling as a
means of raising funds for the state
C. It seems that some have the idea that Bingo used as a fund raiser for
non-profit organizations (not just the child's board game) is a fine way to
raise funds for various organizations. "North Americans spend billions a year
at charity--sponsored bingo and casino games. But only 10% goes to help the
needy." Money (magazine) October 1993. Many say that the percentage is
steadily declining and in some cases the charity only receives a fraction of
1% of the profit.
D. From US News & World Report, March 14, 1994 in an article titled
"America's Gambling Craze".
lot.
B. Many of our civil leaders are looking at various forms of gambling as a
means of raising funds for the state
C. It seems that some have the idea that Bingo used as a fund raiser for
non-profit organizations (not just the child's board game) is a fine way to
raise funds for various organizations. "North Americans spend billions a year
at charity--sponsored bingo and casino games. But only 10% goes to help the
needy." Money (magazine) October 1993. Many say that the percentage is
steadily declining and in some cases the charity only receives a fraction of
1% of the profit.
D. From US News & World Report, March 14, 1994 in an article titled
"America's Gambling Craze".
"The casino boom is growing daily. But it might not last forever, and its
ill effects are Potent."
ill effects are Potent."
"No one howled in protest last month when H&R Block set up makeshift
tax-preparation offices in four Nevada casinos and offered gamblers same-day
'refund-anticipation loans.' And few people cared recently when a Florida
inventor won a U. S. patent that could someday enable television audiences
to legally bet on game shows, football games and even beauty pageants from
their homes.
tax-preparation offices in four Nevada casinos and offered gamblers same-day
'refund-anticipation loans.' And few people cared recently when a Florida
inventor won a U. S. patent that could someday enable television audiences
to legally bet on game shows, football games and even beauty pageants from
their homes.
"What's the deal? Not that long ago, Americans held gambling in nearly the
same esteem as heroin dealing and applauded when ax-wielding police paid a
visit to the corner dice room. But moral outrage has become as outmoded as
a penny slot machine. In 1955, for example, baseball commissioner Ford
Frick considered watering so corrupt he prohibited major leaguers from
overnighting in Las Vegas. Las year, be contrast, Americans for the first
time made more trips to casinos than they did to Major League ballparks --
some 92 million trips, according to one study.
same esteem as heroin dealing and applauded when ax-wielding police paid a
visit to the corner dice room. But moral outrage has become as outmoded as
a penny slot machine. In 1955, for example, baseball commissioner Ford
Frick considered watering so corrupt he prohibited major leaguers from
overnighting in Las Vegas. Las year, be contrast, Americans for the first
time made more trips to casinos than they did to Major League ballparks --
some 92 million trips, according to one study.
"It took six decades for gambling to become America's Pastime, from the
legalization of Nevada casinos in 1931 to April Fool's Day 1991, when
Davenport Iowa, launched the Diamond Lady, the nation's first legal
riverboat casino. The gradual creation of 37 state lotteries broke down the
public's mistrust, conveying a clear message that the government sanctioned
gambling; indeed, is even coming to depend on it as a tax-revenue source.
Corporate ownership of casinos helped in its own way, too, replacing shady
operators with trusted brand names like Hilton and MGM. Casinos now operate
or are authorized in 23 states, and 95 percent of all Americans are expected
to live within a three or four-hour drive of one by the year 2000."
legalization of Nevada casinos in 1931 to April Fool's Day 1991, when
Davenport Iowa, launched the Diamond Lady, the nation's first legal
riverboat casino. The gradual creation of 37 state lotteries broke down the
public's mistrust, conveying a clear message that the government sanctioned
gambling; indeed, is even coming to depend on it as a tax-revenue source.
Corporate ownership of casinos helped in its own way, too, replacing shady
operators with trusted brand names like Hilton and MGM. Casinos now operate
or are authorized in 23 states, and 95 percent of all Americans are expected
to live within a three or four-hour drive of one by the year 2000."
E. We must then, realize that legalized gambling is already a part of our
civilization and is rapidly expanding. So what should be the Christian's
attitude toward this. Is it just another form of recreation in which a
Christian can participate, regulated by good judgment?
F. As a Christian we have put on Christ Gal 3:27
1. Christ lives in us; our life is hid with Christ in God Gal 2:20;
Col 3:1-3
2. Thayer: "To become so possessed of the mind of Christ as in thought,
feeling and action to resemble Him and, as it were, reproduce the life He
Lived."
civilization and is rapidly expanding. So what should be the Christian's
attitude toward this. Is it just another form of recreation in which a
Christian can participate, regulated by good judgment?
F. As a Christian we have put on Christ Gal 3:27
1. Christ lives in us; our life is hid with Christ in God Gal 2:20;
Col 3:1-3
2. Thayer: "To become so possessed of the mind of Christ as in thought,
feeling and action to resemble Him and, as it were, reproduce the life He
Lived."
I. SO, WHAT IS GAMBLING?
A. Webster - "To play a game for money or other stake; hence to stake
money or any other thing of value upon the uncertain event; to hazard, to
wager."
B. Usage of word "gamble" from Thesaurus in computer with some
scripture added to illustrate Bible usage of some of these synonymous
terms
1. a possibility of danger or harm = chance Eccl 9:11; risk;
hazard Acts 15:26 2. a venture depending on chance = bet; speculation;
wager 3. to make a bet on = put; play; lay; bet;; lay down; post; stake;
game; wager 4. to put up as a stake or speculation in a game = go; set;
lay, bet; risk; venture 1Ki 22:34; stake; wager 5. to take a risk
in hope of gaining advantage = speculate; venture
C. Two essential elements involved in gambling 1. A stake involved
whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others depending upon the
outcome of some selected element of chance 2. The element of
chance is arbitrarily determined by the parties involved
D. Don't confuse with risks such as farming, driving, playing sports,
investing in stocks, etc. In farming, etc gain is not sought at the loss
of another; these would be happy if no risk were involved.
E. There are many different types of gambling: check pools, raffles,
punch boards, bingo for money, cards for money, betting on sporting
events, etc.
F. What about "casting lots" as used in the Bible? similar to drawing
a name out of a hat 1. Casting lots = choosing Lev 16:7-10
2. Determining who got Jesus coat Jhn 19:23-26 3. Determining
God's will Acts 1:26, (24)
money or any other thing of value upon the uncertain event; to hazard, to
wager."
B. Usage of word "gamble" from Thesaurus in computer with some
scripture added to illustrate Bible usage of some of these synonymous
terms
1. a possibility of danger or harm = chance Eccl 9:11; risk;
hazard Acts 15:26 2. a venture depending on chance = bet; speculation;
wager 3. to make a bet on = put; play; lay; bet;; lay down; post; stake;
game; wager 4. to put up as a stake or speculation in a game = go; set;
lay, bet; risk; venture 1Ki 22:34; stake; wager 5. to take a risk
in hope of gaining advantage = speculate; venture
C. Two essential elements involved in gambling 1. A stake involved
whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others depending upon the
outcome of some selected element of chance 2. The element of
chance is arbitrarily determined by the parties involved
D. Don't confuse with risks such as farming, driving, playing sports,
investing in stocks, etc. In farming, etc gain is not sought at the loss
of another; these would be happy if no risk were involved.
E. There are many different types of gambling: check pools, raffles,
punch boards, bingo for money, cards for money, betting on sporting
events, etc.
F. What about "casting lots" as used in the Bible? similar to drawing
a name out of a hat 1. Casting lots = choosing Lev 16:7-10
2. Determining who got Jesus coat Jhn 19:23-26 3. Determining
God's will Acts 1:26, (24)
II. GAMBLING'S EFFECT ON SOCIETY - A MENACE
A. The gambling picture in the United States 1. Americans legally
wagered $330 billion in 1992 -- a 1,800 percent increase over 1976 (U.S.
News & World Report 30 May, 1983) Americans wager a trillion dollars
annually, or $4,500 for every man, woman and child in the nation
a. Population of U. S. in 1990 248,709,873.
b. $330 billion averages out to about $1300 a year for each
man, woman and child in U. S. c. $330 billion can pay $40,000 a year
to 206,250 preachers for 40 years
2. Robert Goodman, professor of urban planning at the University of
Massachusetts in Amherst, says that Atlantic City, the faded New
Jersey resort that ended Nevada's monopoly in 1976, is a prime case of
what can go wrong. "During a 16-year period," Goodman said, "they
pulled in revenues of $44 billion--more than $1 million for every man,
woman and child in the place. It was a major benefit for the
casinos, but the community lost 26 percent of its population and 100
of the 250 restaurants that were there when the casinos moved in.
On top of that the city has the highest unemployment in the state and a
lot of homelessness." Mclean's (magazine) May 30, 1994
3. Fifty-one percent of American adults now find casino gambling
"acceptable for anyone," and 35 percent describe it as "acceptable
for others but not for me," according to a recent Yankelovich Inc.
survey paid for by Harrah's casinos. The attraction is simple. "The action
for them is the thrill of what's going to happen in the next pull of
that slot-machine handle," explains Harrah's president, Phil Satre. US
News & World Report, March 14, 1994 4. There are only two states with no
legal gambling of any kind: Utah and Hawaii 5. There is gambling in
churches, homes, schools, government, recreation, everywhere
B. Produces nothing of value and adds nothing to the economy
C. Not everyone is amused. "The country is flying blind," says William
N. Thompson, a professor of public administration at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, who studies gambling policy. "State legislators think
this is free money," says Thompson, "but it's not free. It's just taken
from other parts of the local economy." Fortune (magazine) November 1,
1993
D. States frequently overestimate the financial impact of gambling
revenue, too. "Legalized gambling is never large enough to solve any
social problem," says gambling-law professor and paid industry consultant
I. Nelson Rose. In New Jersey, for example, horse racing along
accounted for about 10 percent of state revenue in the 1950s. Today,
despite the addition of a lottery and 12 casinos, the state earns only 6
percent of its revenue through gambling. "Atlantic city used to be a
slum by the sea," says Rose, "Now it's a slum by the sea with casinos." US
News & World Report, March 14, 1994
E. It promotes crime and traffics in immorality and destroys citizens
(Christians also) 1. It causes men and women to kill, steal, mortgage
homes, starve and half clothe their families, lose jobs and many
other ills upon society 2. Statement by gas station attendant in Las Vegas:
"Everybody in town at one time or another has been offered to share a
wife in trade for gas or repairs
wagered $330 billion in 1992 -- a 1,800 percent increase over 1976 (U.S.
News & World Report 30 May, 1983) Americans wager a trillion dollars
annually, or $4,500 for every man, woman and child in the nation
a. Population of U. S. in 1990 248,709,873.
b. $330 billion averages out to about $1300 a year for each
man, woman and child in U. S. c. $330 billion can pay $40,000 a year
to 206,250 preachers for 40 years
2. Robert Goodman, professor of urban planning at the University of
Massachusetts in Amherst, says that Atlantic City, the faded New
Jersey resort that ended Nevada's monopoly in 1976, is a prime case of
what can go wrong. "During a 16-year period," Goodman said, "they
pulled in revenues of $44 billion--more than $1 million for every man,
woman and child in the place. It was a major benefit for the
casinos, but the community lost 26 percent of its population and 100
of the 250 restaurants that were there when the casinos moved in.
On top of that the city has the highest unemployment in the state and a
lot of homelessness." Mclean's (magazine) May 30, 1994
3. Fifty-one percent of American adults now find casino gambling
"acceptable for anyone," and 35 percent describe it as "acceptable
for others but not for me," according to a recent Yankelovich Inc.
survey paid for by Harrah's casinos. The attraction is simple. "The action
for them is the thrill of what's going to happen in the next pull of
that slot-machine handle," explains Harrah's president, Phil Satre. US
News & World Report, March 14, 1994 4. There are only two states with no
legal gambling of any kind: Utah and Hawaii 5. There is gambling in
churches, homes, schools, government, recreation, everywhere
B. Produces nothing of value and adds nothing to the economy
C. Not everyone is amused. "The country is flying blind," says William
N. Thompson, a professor of public administration at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, who studies gambling policy. "State legislators think
this is free money," says Thompson, "but it's not free. It's just taken
from other parts of the local economy." Fortune (magazine) November 1,
1993
D. States frequently overestimate the financial impact of gambling
revenue, too. "Legalized gambling is never large enough to solve any
social problem," says gambling-law professor and paid industry consultant
I. Nelson Rose. In New Jersey, for example, horse racing along
accounted for about 10 percent of state revenue in the 1950s. Today,
despite the addition of a lottery and 12 casinos, the state earns only 6
percent of its revenue through gambling. "Atlantic city used to be a
slum by the sea," says Rose, "Now it's a slum by the sea with casinos." US
News & World Report, March 14, 1994
E. It promotes crime and traffics in immorality and destroys citizens
(Christians also) 1. It causes men and women to kill, steal, mortgage
homes, starve and half clothe their families, lose jobs and many
other ills upon society 2. Statement by gas station attendant in Las Vegas:
"Everybody in town at one time or another has been offered to share a
wife in trade for gas or repairs
III. I BELIEVE GAMBLING VIOLATES DIVINE LAW
A. If gambling is a violation of divine law why are religious people
not more vigorously opposed? This quote from US News & World Report,
March 14, 1994 "The sky is not falling yet. Apart from a handful of
academics and the odd politician, few Americans are seriously questioning
the morality of an industry that is expected to help gamblers lose a
record $35 billion in 1995 alone. Religious leaders have been oddly
silent, perhaps because so many churches and synagogues rely on bingo
revenues. 'The biggest things we have to help people are churches and
temples and the government,' says Arnie Wexler, executive director of the
Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. 'And now they're all in the
gambling business.'"
B. Gambling is not mentioned specifically in the Bible. However, not
all sinful acts are specifically mentioned
C. General terms and principles cover specifics 1. The terms
"rape," "suicide," "abortion," etc are not specifically
mentioned 2. However, one is able to "discern" their error Heb 5:14
not more vigorously opposed? This quote from US News & World Report,
March 14, 1994 "The sky is not falling yet. Apart from a handful of
academics and the odd politician, few Americans are seriously questioning
the morality of an industry that is expected to help gamblers lose a
record $35 billion in 1995 alone. Religious leaders have been oddly
silent, perhaps because so many churches and synagogues rely on bingo
revenues. 'The biggest things we have to help people are churches and
temples and the government,' says Arnie Wexler, executive director of the
Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. 'And now they're all in the
gambling business.'"
B. Gambling is not mentioned specifically in the Bible. However, not
all sinful acts are specifically mentioned
C. General terms and principles cover specifics 1. The terms
"rape," "suicide," "abortion," etc are not specifically
mentioned 2. However, one is able to "discern" their error Heb 5:14
IV. BIBLE PRINCIPLES WHICH GAMBLING VIOLATES
A. Industry (work) - encourages laziness See Gen 2:15;
3:19 1. Slothfulness and prosperity at the expense of others is not the
will of God Prov 6:9-11;
1Tim 5:8; 2Thess 3:10 2. Gambler profits at expense of
another's labor - is non-productive and parasitic
B. Economics - 3 legitimate means of transferring property 1. Law of
labor and capital - money or worth paid for physical or mental effort
expended
Eph 4:28; Lk 10:7; 1Cor 9:9,10 2. Law of exchange - a
commodity is exchanged for its value in money or goods
Matt 13:44-46; 25:27; Lk 22:36 3. Law of love - value given
without expectation or desire for return Rom 13:10 as a gift or to
relieve physical distress Eph 4:28; Acts 2:45; 11:29 4. Gambling
violates all three of these
a. Gambling is essentially covetousness, because it seeks
rewards for another's labor b. Covet is to "long inordinately for
something that is another's" and is condemned Col 3:5
C. Gambling places an unequal yoke on Christians 2Cor 6:14-17
D. Gambling wields a bad influence on others Matt 5:16
E. Gambling is a corrupt tree Matt 7:16-20
F. Gambling is not conducive to Godliness 1. Can you picture Jesus
financing his work in a card game or shooting dice, even betting on a
horse race or having a raffle in view of 1Pet 2:21-23 2. Gambling
is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, etc as per Phil 4:8
3:19 1. Slothfulness and prosperity at the expense of others is not the
will of God Prov 6:9-11;
1Tim 5:8; 2Thess 3:10 2. Gambler profits at expense of
another's labor - is non-productive and parasitic
B. Economics - 3 legitimate means of transferring property 1. Law of
labor and capital - money or worth paid for physical or mental effort
expended
Eph 4:28; Lk 10:7; 1Cor 9:9,10 2. Law of exchange - a
commodity is exchanged for its value in money or goods
Matt 13:44-46; 25:27; Lk 22:36 3. Law of love - value given
without expectation or desire for return Rom 13:10 as a gift or to
relieve physical distress Eph 4:28; Acts 2:45; 11:29 4. Gambling
violates all three of these
a. Gambling is essentially covetousness, because it seeks
rewards for another's labor b. Covet is to "long inordinately for
something that is another's" and is condemned Col 3:5
C. Gambling places an unequal yoke on Christians 2Cor 6:14-17
D. Gambling wields a bad influence on others Matt 5:16
E. Gambling is a corrupt tree Matt 7:16-20
F. Gambling is not conducive to Godliness 1. Can you picture Jesus
financing his work in a card game or shooting dice, even betting on a
horse race or having a raffle in view of 1Pet 2:21-23 2. Gambling
is not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, etc as per Phil 4:8
CONCLUSION:
A. Gambling does not involve gain by reason of labor, exchange or love and
does not fit into God's scheme of thing reflecting his nature
B. For reasons both temporal and spiritual, gambling is a sin and as such
Christians cannot participate in it.
C. If it is a sin, then it is a sin regardless of the amount wagered
D. The sincere child of God will keep himself from all appearance of evil
1Thess 5:22; keep himself unspotted from the world Jas 1:27; will not love
the world 1Jhn 2:15-17
does not fit into God's scheme of thing reflecting his nature
B. For reasons both temporal and spiritual, gambling is a sin and as such
Christians cannot participate in it.
C. If it is a sin, then it is a sin regardless of the amount wagered
D. The sincere child of God will keep himself from all appearance of evil
1Thess 5:22; keep himself unspotted from the world Jas 1:27; will not love
the world 1Jhn 2:15-17
Sign Language Translator
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