What are your views on gambling?

[IM4given]

I do not think we have had this discussion on this board (or if we did it was a really really long time ago!) So what are your views on gambling, and why do you believe as you do? I posted this in the IFB forum but since I have not gotten any comments I thought I would try again in the general forum. I am genuinely interested in your responses to this question.

[kevinmiller]

I had a little bit of trouble picking any one specific option. I think that gambling is very poor stewardship and an unwise use of money. I don't think raffle tickets are gambling if you are buying them with the intention of giving to an organization and not just to try to win money. Rather, it's more of a bonus to get the ticket. It's an effective way to get people to donate money to a good cause.

[IM4given]

I had a little bit of trouble picking any one specific option. I think that gambling is very poor stewardship and an unwise use of money. I don't think raffle tickets are gambling if you are buying them with the intention of giving to an organization and not just to try to win money. Rather' date=' it's more of a bonus to get the ticket. It's an effective way to get people to donate money to a good cause.[/quote']

Why not just donate to the organization instead of buying a ticket?

[PreacherE]

I chose "D" because gambling is morally wrong. It is not being a wise steward of our money just as Kevin said in his post.

However, we do own several decks of cards that we occasionally play without gambling.

In Christ,
PreacherE

[kevinmiller]

Because if you're going to donate anyway, why not take a chance of getting something back? :lol
Gambling would be throwing the money away for a chance at winning. In the case of raffles, you would be donating to something you believe in with the chance of winning something.

[kevinmiller]

I chose "D" because gambling is morally wrong. It is not being a wise steward of our money just as Kevin said in his post.

However, we do own several decks of cards that we occasionally play without gambling.

In Christ,
PreacherE

I enjoy playing cards with my friends and family, as well. We never use them for gambling. :smile

[IM4given]

If I need to add any other options please let me know.

[Bakershalfdozen]

How about just "Gambling is morally wrong". That is an option I could pick that would cover the wide spectrum of gambling.

Cards and horses (and oodles of other objects as well) are used frequently for betting but neither cards nor horses are wrong in and of themselves.

[IM4given]

How about just "Gambling is morally wrong". That is an option I could pick that would cover the wide spectrum of gambling.

Cards and horses (and oodles of other objects as well) are used frequently for betting but neither cards nor horses are wrong in and of themselves.

Okay I fixed it. Is that better? :thumb

[pneu-engine]

Gambling is one of the devil's many playgrounds. Since he loves it, I want nothing to do with it or any of its forms. That's the flip-side of the concept that the Bible's intent, or description, of it is morally and spiritually evil. Since the Bible is clearly against it immediately I want to know why. With that in mind we can take a look at all of Biblical precepts and see an underlying intent to bring glory to God. Gambling does not do that.

I have a theory and it goes something like this:::::::::::

#1. Jesus said that no-one can serve God and Mammon.

#2. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, "Mammon". What or "Who" is that????????? I'm wondering if that might be the name of the demon that is in control of "Money-Lust". The reason that I say this is that one given to gambling develops the mental illness of supreme greed, wherein no amount of money is ever enough.. It seems that the mental illness of greed lends itself to a description of demonic influence.

[IM4given]

Gambling is one of the devil's many playgrounds. Since he loves it, I want nothing to do with it or any of its forms. That's the flip-side of the concept that the Bible's intent, or description, of it is morally and spiritually evil. Since the Bible is clearly against it immediately I want to know why. With that in mind we can take a look at all of Biblical precepts and see an underlying intent to bring glory to God. Gambling does not do that.

I have a theory and it goes something like this:::::::::::

#1. Jesus said that no-one can serve God and Mammon.

#2. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, "Mammon". What or "Who" is that????????? I'm wondering if that might be the name of the demon that is in control of "Money-Lust". The reason that I say this is that one given to gambling develops the mental illness of supreme greed, wherein no amount of money is ever enough.. It seems that the mental illness of greed lends itself to a description of demonic influence.

I live in a state where the Lottery is supposed to be used to help fund Education. I do not think that is true - I think it just makes a few people rich, by taking money from the ones who can least afford it. The reality is often that even when a person does win a lottery, it ruins their lives and makes them even more miserable. Yet there are lots of Christians around here who stand in line every one else to buy their scratch off tickets, and see no wrong in what they do.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

[1Timothy115]

I voted against the issue on the ballot in November, I live in Ohio. They wanted a casino near Cincinnati.

I didn't make a selection from the choices above. It's just more leverage for Satan and I don't gamble.

Does anyone here have a 401K based on the stock market?

[IM4given]

Hmmm... I never thought of investing in the Stock Market as gambling, interesting idea though. I do not have any money so that high-finance stuff is beyond my range of knowledge!

[pneu-engine]

I live in a state where the Lottery is supposed to be used to help fund Education. I do not think that is true - I think it just makes a few people rich, by taking money from the ones who can least afford it. The reality is often that even when a person does win a lottery, it ruins their lives and makes them even more miserable. Yet there are lots of Christians around here who stand in line every one else to buy their scratch off tickets, and see no wrong in what they do.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

That is precisely what I had in mind when I posted what I did. Pennsylvania under Gov. Ed Rendell is just like that.

[IM4given]

There are Casinos here in Florida too - they offer "free cruises" to get you on their ships to gamble. There are a lot of Seniors who gamble like this for fun. There is a Seminole Reservation in Tampa that has a big Casino and BINGO hall. They use the money from that to fund their tribe. Most people see no wrong in making bets on sport events or horse races, or even flipping quarters or pitching pennies.