Also, is it being abused? Are they wrecking their home, marriage, personal life? Has it gone beyond entertainment and into a god, an idol, a source of trust that they believe will be their sustainer?
Otherwise, my friends and I enjoy many a poker game
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Gambling would certainly come under "uncertain riches"! Taking a chance or a gamble! Paul is giving
Timothy a charge! Must be important!
Falla39
Respectfully, Falla, this verse has nothing to do with gambling.
"Uncertain riches" are any "riches" outside of the providence of God.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Gambling would certainly come under "uncertain riches"! Taking a chance or a gamble! Paul is giving
Timothy a charge! Must be important!
How can you be? That verse has nothing to do with gambling!
I don't get it...
Maybe non-KJV will help you guys out:
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
My friend BHILL says that gambling is a "tax for stupid people." You could tell your kids that....
Really, pel has the best answers on this thread. Some issues aren't clear cut, so you have to be guided by principles and common sense. This is a great way to teach your children how to do that. They need to learn that the Bible doesn't give a black or white yes or no on every issue.
Try making a pros/cons list on the white-board, find scriptures that address the issue from all sides, and ask your kids if they think gambling is a good idea. I'm amazed at how conservative my kids are sometimes, when I present them with the facts and let them make up their own minds.
I know some people just buy a lottery ticket here and there, and really, I guess it's no big deal if that's all they ever do. However, others spend lots of money in hopes of winning big, and their families pay the piper. Get-rich-quick schemes and risky investments could also fall under the generic category of gambling, as has been mentioned already.
And some of us will go to a show in Vegas and save up $100 to play the tables for a night too
What I hear in most people's "dangers" of gambling, applies to so many other things as well. Including men who make work their god, work their life away and give nothing of themselves to their families.
Get-rich-schemes ironically seemed to take off quicker in churches. How many little deals popped up during your time in Church? It was like a new trend each year.
You could tell your kids that....
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