Is betting a sin?

The twelfth Apostle is not Matthias as you may presume. It is Paul, made an Apostle by Jesus Christ Himself just has Jesus made the other eleven Apostles.


From ISBE:

The eleven prayed and asked God for another Apostle to replace Judas. God answered that prayer, He gave them Paul.

The eleven were chosen by Jesus, Paul was chosen by Jesus. Clear as day, he is the Twelfth Apostle.

 

Not disagreeing with whether they were wrong or not, but...

Why do we assume that there needed to be a replacement? Did God really need 12? He could do fine with 11, or 2, or 0...He's God.

 

see my post right before yours, rbell. that will clearly show Paul was the 12th chosen by Christ Himself.

Revelation speaks of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, so twelve was necessary.

 

Talking about games of luck and chance, and not who is and is not an Apostle,

Any comments about the other verses, like the one I posted from Proverbs?

 

Casting lots is a game of chance. The Apostles cast lots to see which one of two would replace Judas. They were wrong to gamble as they did. In the previous verse, they had prayed for God's guidance. They should have let Him guide.

 

I bet you all $10 I'm right!!!






:tonofbricks:

Sorry....carry on.

 

Solomon was saying that many times casting lots will stop a quarrel and mighty men who may be fighting each other will part because the lot was cast.

But...

Gambling also causes contentions and fighting between people. It has broken homes, caused people to live in poverty, suffering, etc.

 

Here are a few more verses that mention casting lots.

Joshua 14:2 ; 1Sam.14:42 ; 1Chr.25:8 ; Jonah 1:7

 

I am talking about this

Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
Proverbs 18:18

That seems to be oposite your last sentence.

 

So you are saying the verse in proverbs is wrong

 

Let's see... a Shopping mall is just like a Casino? That might be a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch since the regular, advertised activity in a mall isn't leading people to chase a pipe dream of riches.

peace to youraying:

 

Ten to one, you are right, here!

Ed

 

Setting aside the argument for a casino for the time being, then what about a group of people that want to get together at someone's house and play poker. Say all of these people understand how it works and are well aware of the very real possibility of losing money. These people are using money that they would otherwise use on some other form of entertainment (will not affect being able to pay bills, etc.). What would be wrong with this?

 

I have stated several times that Christians have liberty to do what their conscience and God's Word allow. You can create a hypothetical situation, as stated above, where only "etertainment" money is used, as if that is the only consideration.

My conscience might be troubled if I thought:

"Is there any place in scripture where Christians are seen gambling for money? No, there isn't."

"Does scripture warn against pursuing riches by games of chance or any other means? Yes it does."

"Is there some chance that gambling could hinder my testimony for my Lord? Yes it could."

"Is this glorifying my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ in some way? I can't see it glorifying Christ. If not, then why am I doing this?"

"Could my time and my money be used more productively in the cause of Christ? Of course, but I don't have to be legalistic about it."

"Is there some other activity I could do with my friends that would be enjoyable, and wouldn't result in someone loosing all his money? I am sure we could think of something."

"What are the chances one or more of my friends will be angry or resentful at having lost his money? Having been there, I can assure you the chances are pretty good and memories are very long."

peace to youraying:

 

Useing the criteria you give for not supporting casinos.

Here

A shoping mall fits. If you have other reasons not to support a casino you should list them. But taking from what you posted that casinos cause people to get into money trouble and therfore we should not use them. A shoping mall fits everything you listed and to be consistant you should not support shoping malls.

AND the regular advertised activity in the mall is leading people to spend further then they can afford. Dont believe it, then walk up the register in any large store and see what the first thing they say is.

Sir, Would you like to apply for a store credit card, and get %10 off your purchase?

 

I have heard that is a sin becausethe money you used to gamble with could have Gone to God's works.
Faithgirl

 

You need new friends. And you should advise them not to spend money that they can not afford for entertainment. If you bet you should consider the money lost to entertainment, before you even make the bet. That way when you dont win, you will not be angry.

 

So could the money you spend on the movies, music, fast food, plays, concerts, big gulps, etc.

That argument can only work if you apply it to ALL money spent for other then the basic needs of life. Unless you apply that reasoning to every purchase it is inconsistant.

 

Where I grew up gambling was the normal thing to do.
Faithgirl

 

When you plop money down at the mall, movies, plays, concerts, for music, fast food, big gulps, etc., you KNOW you will get something in return. You are not taking any chances...