A new topic has been suggested by one of my faithful blogging buddies, Julie. Here's what Julie wrote...
"what about gambling??? We got into a discussion about gambling tonight. Especially in the sense that "what if someone who gambled and one decided to give you that money as support would you take it?" Then we got into what is gambling?? Investing things into stock markets, oldies playing bingo, playing games at the fair, etc... anyone want to throw out some thoughts about that?"
Julie also shared her opinion which you can read as the last comment on the Monday, June 13th post.
I think in living by the principle of stewardship I would have a difficult time using money for gambling. I guess it is an issue of conscience for me. However, I am not always the best steward of my money so I guess I would need to take the log out of my own eye before I started pointing out specks to others. Let's hear your opinions!
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7 comments:
wow...Jarod brings up a good point...if we are gambling because of the entertainment...could cable, football tickets, cds, movies, etc. be thrown into the same category? That's HUGE!!
I know the Bible warns about "get rich quick schemes" and so I've always felt gambling fell into that category. But I hadn't thought of it from the aspect of entertainment. One of my concerns with gambling is that it so often becomes an addiction and we are clearly told not to let anything have mastery over us. However, once again, you could apply that to many other things as well. I think again it comes down to a heart issue. I don't think that going to a casino itself is a sin but where is the person's heart...is there greed involved or the desire to "get rich quick" or are they truly just going to have fun for an evening? One other concern I would have would be the "gambling scene." Gambling is often linked to other things that are definite no-nos, especially in Vegas. Hmm...once again I am challenged. I need to get the Bible out and start searching!
Alright guys, don't think too hard. Just look at the word "gamble." Now let's forget the entertainment thing for just a minute. When God places you in possession of something, let's say for instance, MONEY, what does He want you to do with it? Well, the Bible says that we are to be good stewards of that money. We are to use part of it to pay God a tithe or offering because of what He has done for us. But using it to make a gamble, whether it is entertainment or not, is not really what God had in mind when He said "Be good stewards." Taking a chance of losing the money God has blessed you with, entertainment or not, is not good stewardship. If Misty gives me $20 and expects me to use it wisely because it has to last me 2 weeks or something like that, and I go out and play the lotto with it just for "entertainments" sake and I lose all $20, that isn't good stewardship. And it's the same with God. A CD has rewards because you know you're going to get something out of it. A ball game you know you will get something for the money you spent, you will get to sit in a seat for 3 hours and watch a team play a game. Entertainment isn't even the question, the only question you can ask when it comes to gambling is stewardship and what does God want me to do with this money. Sorry for preaching. It's just what I do.
what about "investing" in the stock martket - high risk of course, becuase you make more money that way (or lose more)
http://www.equip.org/free/DE209.htm
Nathan Hart reccomened this article
The article Jesse posted, recommended by Nathan Hart, is great. It was helpful and confirmed the feelings I had about gambling. I would recommend that everyone check it out! Thanks Jesse and Nathan!
If we are talking about being good stewards of God's money...do we through T.V., video games, candy, Red Lobster, 50 pairs of shoes, etc into that same category??
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