Is betting a sin?

Among the specifics you mentioned, movies, plays, and concerts do not get you anything tangible, just something you wanted to see, hear, or experience. Gambling could be the same in that way. Besides, these entertainment exhibitions do sometimes have drawings or door prizes; and also many people collect ticket stubs, programs, et al, hoping an event they have some token of having attended may prove valuable in the future [a quick check on ebay shows someone trying to get $49.99 for a ticket stub for one of Elvis Presley's last concerts]. If it's enabling something of a more evil nature, there's certainly a good chance you're doing that with entertainment and shopping; so many performers marry multiple times, get caught for drunk driving or being stoned, and in general they're pompous with all that wealth and recognition, so much that they hire their own bouncers to accompany them and keep them away from those who idolatrize them.

If gambling is really just a form of amusement or entertainment, how is it really different from what you mention?

 

My conscience is clear, shopping at a shopping mall. Not so for a casino. I have already stated the biblical reasons for my position.

I am not sure what you want from me, here. I told you I believe Christians have the liberty to gamble to their heart's desire, as their conscience and God's Word allow. Your conscience is not troubled by gambling. Mine is.

Are you trying to convince me I'm wrong? Or, are you trying to convince yourself that you are right?

My friends are just fine, thank you.

peace to youraying:

 

What do you get in return from a play, movie or concert? Nothing tangible other than to enjoy the experience. That is the same thing some people would get from gambling. As long as they look at it as entertainment and don't mind if they win or lose, can afford the money (same as money for a play), and don't take advantage of anyone else, I don't see the problem.

 

It is different because lives and families have not been ruined by the activities I mentioned...

 

To some extent I do agree. I am not promoting or recommending anyone does gamble. If there was a vote to legalize in my area I would vote no for just the reason you bring up. However that is not the same as saying it is a sin for someone to do in a responsible manner. With that reasoning then it would be a sin for anyone to own a gun for the exact same reason you give "has ruined some lives" or even the Internet for that same reason. Using those things irresponsibly is a sin, that is the difference. So while gambling might not be the wisest thing for someone to do. I do not see biblically where you can tell everyone that they are sinning if they do gamble. It is a heart thing, and only God can see everyone's heart. For some people it could lead to sin, but it might not be for everyone in every instance. For that to be the case you have to be able to show chapter and verse. Obviously for you or anyone who feels the way you do it would be a sin, because of how you feel about it. You would be doing something your heart says is wrong. But couldn't you agree that there might just be someone that really wouldn't care that much about the gain, just the activity. Wouldn't lose money he/she couldn't afford to, and wouldn't try and take advantage of another in the process?

 

I'm not condemning anyone for gambling. That is between them and God. I was just giving my opinion about it.

Most gambling is not about the money anyway. It is for the excitement. The "rush". I'd rather get my 'high' from the Holy Spirit.

And I am NOT trying to sound 'holier than thou'. I have some bad habits, unfortunately, but one of them is not gambling.

 

I completely appreciate and respect your opinion on this matter. However since the thread title asked was it a sin, that is my only point. I don't think we can say yes absolutely it is, like we could say about lying. It depends on the individual, and how they approach it. But I would say to anyone reading. Even if you are safe on top of a cliff, why put yourself in danger by walking right up to the edge?

 

When you pay for a movie you get nothing in return but entertainmemt. Same as in a casino.

And judging by some of the poor movies put out, you are taking a big chance that the movie will not be entertaining. :smilewinkgrin:

At least if you like blackjack, you know you will get entertainment. That is the only reason you should gamble entertainment. If yo plan on getting rich you are diluted. Entertainment is the only thing you will get from the casino.

 

I am not trying to convince you. It just seems like you are arguing both sides. You say that if my conscience is not troubled then it is fine. Then you list reasons that it is not fine. You were saying that going to a casino was causing kids to go hungery and old ladys to committ suicide.

I was pointing out that other things like shoping mall could be considered with the same reasons.

But I like that you think it a matter for each to decide for themselfs. We agree there.

 

No famlies are ruined by spending to much on entertainment?

 

A few families were ruined by going to a shopping mall in Utah last week. Concerts-- depending significantly on the type you mean-- have resulted in people being crushed to death, having their pockets picked; definitely they have been enablers for obscene wealth and idolatry of performers. Fast food and big gulps have contributed mightily to obesity, high blood pressure, have aggravated other physical risk factors for fatalities or lessened functions. "Ruined" may be a point of view, but I object to your analysis that gambling "ruins" and other activities don't. This can be left right here if you just say as you really see it-- you have an emotional aversion to gambling, even though many other things contribute to "ruin" of a person or family.

 

That is my point. If you can do it, and not have your conscience pricked because of the known consequences in the lives of so many people, coupled the many passages of scripture that warn Christians against the deceitfullness of pursuing wealth and the ruin it causes to those who do (including abandoning the faith).....

...then you should do it.

peace to youraying:

 

if there's those of us who can - it's not that we should - but it is our choice to make. if bad comes out of it - so be it - live and learn. God will show us the right path.

those who cannot - don't. simple as that.

may seem easy to say and hard to do. all that temptation to win more money than you can handle. all that jazz.

God will teach us the truth.

i don't see anything wrong with gambling. i bought two blackjack tickets from 7-11 today - didn't win anything. bought a coffee at tim hortons (which has the roll up the rim to win now) - (um. you roll up the rim and it tells you if you won something or not) and i didn't win anything. bought it for the coffee and the rim. what's wrong with that?

am i going to go out and gamble my money away knowing that i have to pay rent and insurance and other bills at the end of the month? no.

i'll buy a lottery ticket here and there. what's wrong with that? do i, personally, buy them for gaining money for selfish reasons?

heck - we all work - we all want more money than we're gettin paid now don't we? is that for selfish reasons?

not all the time.

anyways. personally - gambling becomes a sin when it is set at a higher level than God, Family, and Friends.

peace and God bless.

gek.

 

I just listened to a Reformed internet radio show called Sinners and Saints that dealt with this very issue.


Consensus was it falls to the liberty of the Christian. There are certain people who don't need to do it, and if they did gamble, it would be sinful for them. For others, it doesn't matter either way. They didn't condone it in any way, but they looked at it honestly and concluded biblically that it was a liberty issue. Then they gave reasons why it's not a good thing for some. You know, "all things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable."

I happen to agree with that. I'm pretty good at Texas Hold 'Em, but I limit my betting to cola tabs and beer caps (in the old days). Either that or playing poker games on my computer. Why? Every once in a while, I like to play poker. I'm not betting my money, I'm not spending all night in a casino, it not sinful for me in that context. Now if I negelcted my family, and bet our money away because of being greedy, then that would be sinful.

Another good point, if one would be playing poker and won a big pot, then I would say the glory goes to God. I mean, if it wasn't God's will for them to win that pot, it wouldn't have happened. In the big scheme of things, there's no such thing as chance. The chance is all in the mind of the player. If a player has 3 of a kind, he might say, I have a good chance of winning. Meanwhile the player across the table has a full house. So technically, the guy who has 3 of a kind, has already lost, because the other player has a better hand. He just doesn't know yet. We call it chance, because we don't know the outcome. Our hypothetical player could win or he could lose. But God does know the outcome, he even ordains it before hand. God could have ordained the player with the full house to fold, even though his hand could beat the 3 of a kind. WE just don't know, but from God's viewpoint everything is moving perfectly according to His will.

Something to think about.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dustin