From corner dice games, to the Riverboats, to playing the Lotto to even betting on the Lakers vs the Heat, gambling has thrived for years in the city. For believers in Christ who are from environments where gambling is the norm, a question arises, “can I still gamble if I’m a Christian?” With this serious question hitting home to yours truly (who used to visit dice games, card games and the Riverboats frequently), I felt lead by the Lord to dedicate this Real blog towards a serious problem that has caused fights among our families and murders in our cities, gambling.
Throwing caution into the wind is something people do on a regular basis in order to fullfill their drive for a momentary pleasure. However, throwing money into the wind is something that I’ve never seen personally, but what I have seen are people who are “down and out” spending $500 to even their whole paycheck on lottery number, Roulette tables and Black Jack, with the hopes to strike it rich. Even though this may seem normal, to the believer in Christ it should be the total opposite.
Scripture clearly teaches believers that we should be faithful stewards with all that the Lord has blessed us with (Matthew 25:14-30). Gambling is not a true demonstration of stewardship; rather it is ploy to gain money or other material goods quickly at the expense of others, as well as most of the time (not all of the time), it is not supported by faithful honest laboring in a field of respectable work. Proverbs 12:11 says, “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.” The word “frivolity” is used to describe energy that has been used to pursue worthless, unfruitful fantasies.
Statistically speaking, Gamblers Anonymous estimated that there are 12 million compulsive gamblers in the United States. 96% percent of this 12 million began gambling before they were 14 years old1. As you can see from this staggering statistic, gambling definitely influence a negative social policy in the lives of America’s urban youth. When inner-city kids grow up seeing their uncles and parents buying lottery tickets, betting on sports games, and even wagering to settle arguments, this cultivates an environment in any given child’s mind that gambling is okay.
Gambling is tough on the minority population in urban America. A New York lottery agent stated, "Seventy percent of those who buy my tickets are poor, black, or Hispanic.” 2 plus a National Bureau of Economic Research "shows that the poor bet a much larger share of their income.”3
So what can we as believers do when we are tempted to gamble? We can do what we are told to do in scripture, stand firm on God’s word and fight the temptation! Since gambling is a game of chance, it totally shows disrespect to the Lord who is Sovereign (Matthew 10:29-30). Arguably, as mentioned above, gambling challenges a strong work ethic in the life of all who fall prey to its temptations. As Paul warned the Colossians in his letter to them, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24, we clearly see that if gambling already challenges the Sovereignty of God, therefore showing its opposition to Him, how can one justify participating in an act that defies our instruction to work with diligence in regards to our employer! This context in Colossians is dealing with our work ethic in our homes, and also with those whom we are employed by, key word, ‘employed’.
Speaking from experience, when times got hard for my family (mom and dad), instead of waiting on the Lord, I went out and sought ill-gotten gain at the local Riverboats in Kansas City on more occasions that need to be mentioned. My struggle went from a concern for my family’s economic welfare to I need a new pair of shoes, and ultimately stealing money from my parents! For me personally, the temptation is still there to go to the boats and have a nice buffet from time to time, but I know my weakness will draw me to that old Black Jack or Roulette table.
Even thought scripture does not come out and say, “ayo, don’t gamble yo”, I like to hold fast to Ephesians 4:28, “Let him who stole, steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, so that he may have something to give him who has need.” This scripture always reminds me of a time where I won $750 at the Black Jack table. I was there for about 3 hours and in the course of that time I saw people come to the table with $20’s, $50’s, and $100’s, and equipped with smiles, in a matter of minutes they were broke, angry, and filled the air with curses towards Heaven. In particular, there was a man who had blown $1,000, after he lost his last dime, he began to cry! He started telling everyone how he was a trucker, and that $1,000 was his gas, food and lodging money to get his shipment to its area and pay for his way home. He began to cry louder and then he was asked to leave.
As I left the boat that evening, I paid no mind to that man when I saw him outside, rather I thought how I could spend my money on temporary things. Days later when I started feeling convicted, the Lord lead me to Ephesians 4:28, and reminded me of my wrongdoing. It is with that passion that I totally stand against gambling today, and plea with you the reader, don’t go down a road that challenges God and his Word, and leads to selfishness and causes neglectfulness towards your fellow man. Keep hold to Proverbs 3:5-10:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
1 Gambling in America," Gambling Awareness Action Guide (Nashville: Christian Life Commission), 5.
2 Charles Colson, "The Myth of the Money Tree," Christianity Today, 10 July 1987, 64.
3 Gary Becker, "Higher Sin Taxes: A Low Blow to the Poor," Business Week, 5 June 1989, 23.
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