Gambling

Care to tell me what the beam in my eye is?

I think if you go back and read, Brian, you'll NEVER see where I told you not to gamble. If you want to be judgmental, my friend, look to yourself first.

Christian Cynic:

Nope, but it sure does qualify as "taking advantage of others."

The opposite side of that coin--the one that says we are our brother's keeper and should worry about not causing our brother to stumble--is the "who gives a rip about anyone other than me?" attitude....

Yep, there's the concept of "brotherly love" that I've been looking for in Christians....

I'm tired of Christians who can't look beyond the tips of their noses, or worse, don't care about anything beyond the tips of their noses. If you can't see that gambling is a serious problem for some people, and that your participating in it doesn't help those people, then you need to ask yourself a question: Am I really exhibiting God's love towards others?

You have all the soul liberty you need; it's your choice. I neither condemn nor congratulate you on whatever choice you make, because it's between you and God.

I've said my piece. I think everyone knows where I stand. I'm outta here.

 

I rarely gamble, but when I do, I do it because it's kind of fun.

Three thoughts: 1. I have posted examples of where gambling is NOT a "complete waste of the resources God gives us", 2. "poor stewardship" is very vague and not necessarily a sin, and 3. I'm sure everyone here is "guilty" of "poor stewardship" every single day, for eating at restaurant instead of going to the grocery store, and then for paying regular price at the grocery store instead of clipping coupons first, etc.

How so? Personally, I think legalism is a far worse witness.

In such cases, we should not gamble and I have already said so. Eating meat can cause weaker brothers and sisters to stumble, but eating meat is not a sin. In fact, in the passage where you get your #3 from, the principle is that the *stronger* brother *knows* the practice is not sinful in and of itself.

I agree.

No, I won't argue that it is out of context. Some gamble, full of covetousness, and that would be wrong. Don't confuse the activitiy with how some people approach it. Lust is also wrong, that doesn't make sex sinful.

What is right about the stock market, going to the ballet, going to a movie?

Who here has such an attitude?

 

Brian is there any activity that is sinful and prohibited if it is undertaken in the correct frmame of mind.

Murph

 

Murphy, your question is worded strangely and I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. If you are asking me if there are absolutes, my answer is "of course".

 

I still can't get an answer to my question... is it wrong for me wager the cost of lunch with a coworker that the Angels will win the world series instead of the Giants? Is that sinful?

 

I don't see what you are describing as "sinful." People 'pick up the tab' for their friends for a lot of reasons. The fact that you are letting an event over which niether of you have control be the determining factor does not make up theft. Technically it is gambling, so it may be a form of covetousness. But is it also covetousness to wish that a friend would invite you to his home for dinner? therefore, coveting his food?

 

Brother Cynic!!

Dog-gone! You're such a cynic!(I finally looked the word up in the dictionary!) Now I suppose you'll want the Brother/Sister Moderator to do something about my insulting you!!** edited ***
There sure is a lot of predicting going on over on the "Sports" thread--or is it better called--"forecasting"?? I always knew there was a lot of sports meterologists camping about!!

Glad you can be my friend--honestly & truly!!

Your friend,
Blackbird

[ October 18, 2002, 07:35 AM: Message edited by: C.S. Murphy ]