Ok, gambling is highly addictive. Sure, the first time you play that slot machine it might feel stupid but as soon as you hit and win you are hooked.
I have done my share of gambling and I loved playing poker but I have decided to severely limit my time doing these things. Because of the strong pull I don't even like talking about it because I start thinking about it and then I feel my pulse getting faster and I imagine the thrill of raking in the cash.
If you go on a cruise and decide to play a little or maybe you are in Lake Tahoe for a wedding and decide to play for the fun of it then maybe you can do it without much damage.
I live between Tunica and Vicksburg Mississippi and I actually have a brand new casino 10 minutes from my house. So the temptation is there.
Mega Millions Lottery jackpot is $40 million. I have to fill up at the local Road Ranger Gas Station this evening.
Is it gambling to request a $1.00 quick pick lottery ticket?
Is it gambling to pick my own numbers?
Just driving down the road to get that tank of gas is a gamble.
As to the issue of the $1.00 ticket? Why don't you send me every dollar that you would have spent on the lottery and when I retire in another 20 years I'll let you know how I made out.
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
Say on Sister.
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There is a conspiracy of silence in the land.
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
While I don't advocate gambling I would disagree with your usage of scripture here.
First of all the scripture you are quoting is "trusting in" uncertain riches, which is the focus of the verse. One could game having entertainment value only (remember I don't advocate gambling) and not trust, expect, or place their reliance in gambling as get rich scheme.
Secondly, the verse talks about "riches" anyone with any common sense knows that those who are going to get rich is the casino. Yes, there are a few who hit it big, but the odds are so far against you that it to even think you are going to walk away a mega millionaire is just foolishness
I think a person would be hard stretched to say "gambling" in and of itself is a sin...the act of putting a quarter and pulling a lever, or setting some chips on a table and trying to hit 21 with some cards.
To make the game of chance a sin would make insurance, the stock/futures market, or any other "investment" a sin also. Saying that I would disagree with the post that said flying in an airplane or driving a car is a gamble. Not true...read Psalms 91.
However, going to 2 Corinthians 6 starting around verse 14 we are ask, "what fellowship does righteousness have with darkness?" The obvious answer is NONE and we are exhorted to come out from among them.
I live about 5 hours from Vegas and have visited there many times in my youth. It is called "Sin City" for a reason. Anywhere you find gambling you are also going to find sex, drugs, and all sorts of an ungodly lifestyle. So I guess my question would be, "Why would a born again believer want to go to an environment that is so influenced by demonic spirits?"
We are to abstain from even the appearance of evil and if you are frequenting casino's you are not abstaining from the appearance of because of the other things that go on there. You know every bar in America will have either coke or pepsi in it, yet we don't go to bars to get a soda because of the "appearance" and because of the "environment."
We should come out from among them and be separate.
I honestly want to know why gambling has been taught as a sin. I have NO desire to gamble, I just want to know the reasoning behind it.
Anyone?
If I were a cynic I'd say that it has to do with the fact that some who teach against gambling want that money for themselves via the offering basket. But I'm not all that cynical so I won't say that.
There's really not any scripture that specifically says "Thou shalt not roll the dice or play poker..." I think it's primarily the atmosphere where gaming takes place that causes the most problem. Also, there's a question of stewardship. If someone isn't paying their bills or providing for their family because of their gaming habit then they need to get some help and deliverance.
Someone who kicks in a dollar or so into the office Final Four Pool probably isn't falling into grave sin and error. I sometimes participate in some small stakes things like that more for the social cohesion I find than any expectation of gain. I've probably lost more money under my couch cushions than I've lost "gambling."
I think if you're doing the other things right and being as careful a steward as you can be then gaming probably wouldn't even a factor in your life if not for the state sponsored games. On these matters I confess that I have mixed feelings.
Thomas Jefferson said, "Lotteries are a great thing... they only tax the willing!" And there's a lot of truth to that. However, there have been many instances where people have fallen into serious problems with their use and abuse of the state lotteries. I have a problem with the idea that my government is sponsoring the ruin of people who are either gullible or just have really poor math skills.
That may not provide the slam dunk answer you might be seeking, but for me it isn't a real clear cut issue. There is a potential for serious harm and simultaneously there exists somethings that aren't anything but silly little games.
I agree that being in an environment such as that would not be a good thing for a believer. But what about buying a lottery ticket?
Here's a test. For every dollar that someone spends on a lottery ticket - have them put another dollar into a well established and stable mutual fund. After 20 years let's see which dollars have accumulated the greater wealth.
Under most circumstances the only reason for buying a lottery ticket must be out of curiosity. For a dollar it's probably one of the cheaper ways to satisfy your curiosity. If you find that curiosity isn't the real motivation and that you feel compelled to keep buying - then the question isn't about the lottery ticket - it's about something deeper in your heart.
and decide to play for the fun of it then maybe you can do it without much damage. 
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