Gambling From A Christian Perspective
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective Counseling
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective Christian
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective Emphasizes
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective Lesson
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective Approach
- Gambling From A Christian Perspective
Gambling does not create a growing enterprise that can provide value; it consumes resources in a moment in time and it too often snares the hearts of men and women in an addiction that robs them of their resources. Gambling also relies on something I don’t believe in “luck.” You will never hear me say “Good luck.” WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. For the believer in Jesus Christ, there should be no appeal to take part in gambling. Gambling clearly breaks several biblical principles which are central to a Christian’s way of life. A Christian lifestyle is one that expresses faith in the loving care and provision of Almighty God, not in chance or luck (Matthew 6:33). The church has spoken out very little and done virtually nothing in opposition to the presence and influence of gambling. Government, especially on the state level, is an advocate for gambling, and the church needs to take a stand, expose the evils of gambling, and declare how it's really at odds with the principles of Scripture.
Gambling From A Christian Perspective Counseling
Christianityin America
There is no doubt that Christianity is the largest religion in the US, with over 70% of the population. Christianity came to the shores of this vast continent in the 16th century with the first British settlers. At the time, the American continent offered safe refuge from persecution for many protestant Christians. It so happens that the perpetrators of the oppression were their catholic brethren in Europe.
As a religion, Christianity flourished in America. The faith evenprevailed over the turbulence of the Civil War that had spilt thecontinent in twain. The original Christian denominations have spiltmultiple-times over time, with offshoots morphing into distinctdenominations at every turn. The eventual outcome is that the Americaof today is host to the largest number of Christian denominations onearth.
Gamblingand Christianity in America
Whenyou consider the proliferation of Christian denominations in the US,you may find yourself asking this question. Do all AmericanChristians confess the same beliefs? Do US Christians have the samestance towards major social issues? Do all the various denominationshave the same opinion about gambling? In our attempt to answer thesequestions, we will try to understand how Christian doctrinecontributes to mainstream Christian attitudes towards gambling.
Christian-backedanti-gambling rhetoric has been part of the American political andsocial-economic landscape for a very long time. Pressure fromChristian lobby groups had, at one time, led to federal regulationsbanning gambling from all states except Nevada. Las Vegas was theonly government-sanctioned gambling destination in the US. However,government policies towards gambling have become lenient, and casinosare currently prime contributors to state revenue.
GamblingNot Exclusively Mentioned in Scripture
Theopinion of most Christians is far from being adiaphorous when itcomes to the issue of gambling. Conservative Christians firmlybelieve that gambling is a vice that should be banned within the US.Others have a milder stance and find certain forms of gamblingallowable. This notable difference in opinion might have more to dowith church doctrine than sound scriptural teaching.
Nodirect reference is made towards gambling within the bible, either asan outright vice or as a practice that can be condoned. This premisemeans the vast majority of anti-gambling church rhetoric arises fromsubjective opinions of church leadership. Church leaders, however,assert that their sentiments towards gambling are derived from theproper application of biblical principles. Let us look at somecommonly referenced bible verses and how they apply to gambling
SomeChristians consider Gambling Okay
Thereare Christians who do not see any harm in gambling if they make abudget beforehand. This view proposes that as long as one does notcompromise on life essentials, then one is free to gamble. Christianswho commit to this belief view gambling as nothing more than harmlessentertainment. As such, any gambling expenses, thus incurred, wouldbe no different from the money spent at an amusement park.
Gambling From A Christian Perspective Christian
Doesthe bible allow for such a liberal opinion of gambling? The answerdepends on how you look at one particular verse. 1stCorinthians 6:12 grants a Christian the right to do anything providedthat he/she is not mastered by anything.
BiblicalTeaching used to imply Gambling is wrong
There are several verses in the bible that have been used as the basis for anti-gambling rhetoric. What follows is a general discussion of these verses. We look at what they say and how their message is interpreted.
2nd Corinthians 6:14
The portion of the verse inferred to gambling has to do with ‘not being yoked together with unbelievers’. This verse is used to extort Christians from associating with unbelievers at two levels. The first interpretation has to do the physical aspect of the association. The verse is thus used to imply that Christians should not attend the same venues as unbelievers. The second interpretation has to do with the social outlook of a Christian. A Christian is thus extorted from engaging in behaviours associated non-believers. The first inference is therefore made against attending casinos while the second inference prohibits gambling as a vice.
Proverbs 15:27
Gambling From A Christian Perspective Emphasizes
The relevant portion of the verse that has to do with ‘greed for unjust gain’. This verse does appear to refer to gambling when you consider that gambling does allow for a disproportionate gain. Using this inferred aspect of gambling, preachers have condemned the activity as an avenue for greed that Christians should avoid. However, the rest of the verse does make things clear. The warning contained therein has to with the accepting of bribes and not gambling.
1st Timothy 6:10
Thisverse is a favourite for many pastors and preachers as a scripturalprinciple against gambling. The verse warns against ‘the love ofmoney’ as being the ‘root of all evil.’ Preachers assert the mainreason why people gamble is the desire for riches, and as such, thisdesire would ultimately lead a Christian to greater evil. Is thedesire for money the sole reason why people gamble? Indeed, it is asignificant reason, but it is not the prime reason. As with previousverses, this verse is also open to interpretation.
Mathew 18:6
Thisverse warns against ‘causing one of these little ones to sin.’ Theverse is broadly interpreted as a warning against introducingchildren to corrupt practices. Thus the verse is used to rallyChristian parents to actively participate in efforts to shut downgambling establishments in a neighbourhood. You should note, as withthe other bible verses above, this verse does not directly refer togambling.
TheChurch’s Stance on Lottery Winnings
Many churches across the US have at one time or another, accepted lottery winnings as church contributions. These contributions have been made by devout Christians who firmly believe in the biblical obligation to tithe. One such gift in 2008 saw the True North Community Church in Port Jefferson receiving $100,000 annually for 20 years. This arrangement between the state lottery and the church came about after a parishioner donated a lottery ticket worth $ 3 million.
Gambling From A Christian Perspective Lesson
But does the acceptance of tithes from lottery winnings imply that gambling winnings can be used positively? Opinion on this particular point varies. Indeed, there is a deep divide between conservative preachers and more liberal pastors when it comes to accepting contributions originating from gambling activities. Conservative preachers and Christians alike stick to the position that gambling is a modern vice arising from the mother of all vice, Greed.
Although liberal Christians do not condemn church contributions from lottery winnings, some do limit their approval to lotteries. To this faction, the purchase of ticket lotteries is acceptable because a fraction of the money is meant for charitable contributions. This premise thus validates making church contributions from lottery winnings.
Gambling From A Christian Perspective Approach
Conclusion
Gambling From A Christian Perspective
Christianopinion of gambling is mostly negative. However, Christians havebegun to realize that a would-be vice like gambling can havedesirable aspects. It is also evident that Christianity is becoming,increasingly, accommodating towards gambling. More and moreChristians are letting go of the hard-line views put forth byleadership in the church. Ultimately, these liberal Christians willthe majority, and Christianity will be negative towards gambling nomore.