I wasn’t sure if I agreed with you or not, so I rolled a die.

Seriously… Great post! I love the way you stopped through the argument. You are absolutely correct that this is a heart issue. This is another one of those times where it is easier to ban something than to deal with a possible sin issue.

-Alan

I’m glad to have offered such a timely post :). I think the closest thing you will find in Scripture regarding gambling is casting lots. In fact, many people use the casting lots to support their anti-gambling agenda. They will go so far as to say that the Eleven were wrong for casting lots to find a second “Twelfth.”

It is funny though, God commands Aaron to cast lots in Leviticus 16:8. This was to determine which of two goats would be used for the Lord and which would be used as a scapegoat.

I think you may find the “lots” arguments to be lacking.

Thanks for commenting.

God’s Glory,
Lew

Just wanted to reiterate what Steve and Aussie john said:

Drunkenness, like gambling addiction, comes from a heart issue. But rather than deal with those heart issues, we just tell people they can’t partake at all. That is, in my estimation, quite misguided.

and

Problem is that for many decades ‘churchianity’ has confused the religion of Moralism for being born again

And a great thought/question, Jeff: Basically, everyone who invests in anything, including people, is taking a gamble. Maybe the people who are against gambling are drawing a line and only against it when it is done for entertainment? … just as an example, since we’re talking about money, look at today’s ride on the stock market … now if that’s not a gamble, I don’t know what is!

Thanks for this excellent post :)

~Heather

When I stopped playing, my buddies and I would usually put 10 dollars in and get 100 chips. That works out to be .10$ per chip.

Sometimes, when the night couldn’t be too long, we’d do 40 chips, or about .25$ per chip. Those were some fun nights, I miss them.

I totally understand your fear. I urge you to use your understanding to look beyond what they think of you and to help them out of their bondage.

John

You’re right, I wonder when this moralism started? Is it recent, or has it been happening since Catholicism took hold? I do not know that much about Church history to know.

You’re absolutely right about our love for others. It should come first, before any of these things (Alcohol, Gambling, etc.). What is great about being free, is that we have the freedom to deny ourselves for the sake of others. I think that we also have the responsibility to disciple those are afraid of this freedom.

Thanks for commenting.

God’s Glory,
Lew

More good thinking! Problem is that for many decades ‘churchianity’ has confused the religion of Moralism for being born again. So, I agree with yours and Steve’s reasoning.

There is a need for thoughtful consideration of what effect we can have on others, especially those we seek to reach. Our freedom can be set an example through which others enter bondage.

Love for others means that we will deny ourselves some of the freedoms we have, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of others.

Even though free to follow some course of action, love for others, and godly wisdom often says otherwise.

We definitely agree in the alcohol debate… and it is no surprise to me that we agree here too. I think we probably agree on many of these “issues.”

I wonder if this is a stamp of American Christianity, or if this is something witnessed world-wide. It seems like a lot of Christian here in the states spend a lot of time, money, and energy, trying to get lost people to act like Christians – instead of spending their time, money, and energy, trying to share abundant lives with lost people.

Thanks for the comment.

Jeff

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I guess you could say “long time reader, first time commenter.” (that is probably only mildly funny to you if you listen to a lot of talk radio).

My wife would love to live on a 1000 acre farm. Her grandfather had 300 acres in Georgia, 50 of which is unofficially ours. We hope to move out there sometime and enjoy the land.

You’re right, we do a lot of “gambling” in life. Your example is one of the better, more extreme, examples. You could argue that we take a gamble when we leave the house, drive in a car, fly in a plane, walk across the street, etc.

If they want to argue the entertainment side, then one could say that people take a gamble spending money to see a movie that they may or may not like.

Your lottery question is a common one. I think Dr. Patterson would take a tenth of it – I have heard that he has said something like “The Devil has had that money too long” in the past regarding similar “questionable” situations.

Thanks again for stopping by and commenting.

I hope you all have a good day.

God’s Glory,
Lew

Great post! I read your blog often but haven’t yet commented directly to you(besides Alan’s blog). This is Jeff from Montana.

I grew up on a 1000 acre farm here in Montana. My dad planted wheat and barley. This was the only income we had. He was risking everything we had every time he planted his fields. Drought, hail, fire, bugs, etc. all could wipe out his crops entirely. This, to me, seems like a huge gamble.(risking money on the outcome of something involving chance) Or maybe he did it in faith that God would provide for us.(The substance of things hoped for with the evidence of things not seen)

Basically, everyone who invests in anything, including people, is taking a gamble. Maybe the people who are against gambling are drawing a line and only against it when it is done for entertainment?

I wonder what some of these churches would do if one of it’s members won a multi-million dollar lottery? To tithe or not to tithe?

I agree with you that it is a heart issue.

Jeff

I have made this same point with regard to the prohibitions against alcohol. Scripture does not forbid the partaking of alcohol. In fact, in some cases, it downright endorses it! But it forbids drunkenness.

Drunkenness, like gambling addiction, comes from a heart issue. But rather than deal with those heart issues, we just tell people they can’t partake at all. That is, in my estimation, quite misguided.

Sadly, I am coming to the conclusion that many believe “control” of people’s behavior is preferable over true discipleship.

Well-written post, my friend.