Gambling: Don’t Bet On It Part 1

The dates gambling spells trouble taking money from those who can least afford it.

Those hoping for a big break. You say I never gamble fast cash leads all too many Christians is a serious problem from the Moody Church in Chicago this running to win when Sir clear teaching helps us get across in some sad accounts of prominent evangelical leaders making their way to Las Vegas casinos. What you have said is absolutely true, but it's also very sad because gambling makes all kinds of promises that it cannot keep. I often refer to that billboard that asks the question how can you get out of poverty. One way is to work hard. The other way is to gamble, but all of us can tell stories about people whom we know who have gambled their assets away. It is a tremendous lure very deceptive and I'll just use that word evil but what were talking about money are you concerned like I am especially during this covert crisis are you concerned about the fact that our government can created so quickly. It creates it digitally and there's a push that all money would eventually be digital. That is to say that the cash that we have in our pocket would become obsolete. Could this be Revelation chapter 13 the mark of the beast where you can buy or sell unless you have is Mark.

I have often backed away from that because I don't want to be sensational, but I do need to say that there tremendous parallels between what we see happening today and what I believe can happen in the future. That's why I've spoken on a video it's entitled COBIT 19 the economy and our future. You can have it by the way, DVD or CD your preference for a gift of any amount. Here's what you do you go to RTW offer.com RTW offer.com or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337. Let me tell you that I made this video and spoken gave this lecture so that we as Christians might respond correctly and biblically to what is happening around us. Ask for COBIT 19 the economy and our future. Go to RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337. Now let us listen very carefully as we hear from the Scriptures, the evils of gambling. Perhaps you heard about the pastor whose church was in debt and he was praying about how it might be math and he began to dream everything in triplicate. Everything came in three as a matter fact as he sat down at the table.

He somehow noticed that even the dishes were organized like triangles like a Trinity and he began to think God you're trying to say something to me but I don't know what it is. He went to the door and found the newspaper and noticed that it was the three-star addition, he opened it to the third page.

The third column and noticed that the topic was horse racing and he thought to himself, you know, maybe God is in the somehow and as he read. He noticed that the horse mentioned was trio.

Now he knew for sure.

So he got his board together and he convinced them to liquidate all of their assets so they could finally win some money and they put it all on trio. Well, you've probably already guessed it trio came in third.

Now you know we smile at the story, but it does bring to mind are two important concepts. First of all, that gambling is something that is a temptation to everyone that could be a temptation to pastors as well as to parishioners. Gambling is widespread.

Secondly, it seems that in gambling someone else always win. You're not the one who wins someone else does gambling of courses taking that which is of value usually money and through chance, hoping that it will produce greater value. More money.

As you know this is a series of messages titled seven snares and as a result of that, we are looking today at gambling.

Which of course is a snare that millions and millions of people in our society have fallen into this message is intended to answer four questions. The first question is why should we be concerned about it anyway. I mean after all account people do with their own money whatever they want if they want to gamble it away. It's their money. Let them why preach on the topic. There's a second question and that is that is gambling a sin or is it only a habit that potentially could be bad reason actually a sin.

There is no 11th commandment that says thou shalt not gambling so people have said maybe it isn't that bad. Maybe it's something we can do. In fact, there are churches that do it from time to time. Third issue that were going to discuss his were going to take a brief tour into the mind of an addict and look at the world through his set of glasses, and finally were going to answer the question, is there a way out for those who are addicted to gambling or for that matter, what is the way out for any addiction that might be spoken about today. The first question, why bother my dear friends, I want you to know that the effect of gambling on our families and on our society is devastating. Did you know that children today are targeted and according to one report, about two thirds of teens have gambled in Massachusetts, 47% of seventh graders have played the lottery also among those students. One in 20 has been arrested because of gambling related charges gambling as we shall learn never happens in isolation. It always brings with it a cluster of other sin. For some it might be alcoholism from some it might be despair, for others it might be suicide but very seldom does gambling ever act alone, but we also find it. For example, in Michigan, 45% of male college athletes admit to gambling on sports.

Many people were surprised when it happened at Northwestern University.

But that actually is is a microcosm on what is going on throughout the whole country because gambling has become such a deep part of our society.

Students are gambling their tuition gambling their allowance, gambling, gambling, gambling, Christianity today had an article on gambling gambling away the golden years speaking about how casinos are deliberately seducing and targeting the elderly, for example. Some are getting a $25 worth of coins free if you just show up with the knowledge that among those who come there will be others who will finally be hope is what the gambling industry so desperately, desperately wants Pat Fowler of the Executive Director of the Florida Council on compulsive gambling says who else will pick you up and take you to an engagement in that in an exciting activity in a safe environment give you lunch call you by name and make you feel important.

Casinos have 50% discounts on many things that they sell and even for drugs for seniors. That is, prescription drugs, if only they gamble in their casino. Literally millions and millions of seniors are being asked to casinos, particularly on Sundays. One. Casino has a card that people use to keep track of their wins and losses so that they can reward you. If you made many any investments. The lure of gambling.

Did you know that the gamblers are not subject to truth in advertising, like other companies, they can say pretty well whatever they wish. Let's go to the south side of Chicago.

There was an ad, which ran but said and I'm just looking for it here. Yes, this could be your ticket out.

This could be your ticket out of the ghetto, a number of years ago our mayor had an ethics commission to study the feasibility of gambling and I had the opportunity to speak to that commission. I played with those men saying to them, look, why appeal to the very basest of all motives in order to pay taxes. I said I don't gamble, but I should be paying my fair share of taxes.

It isn't right that other people are going to be paying more than I because I do not gamble and they do and there was an older man present who said that on the days when the Social Security checks arrive in on the days when you have the the checks coming in the paychecks. He said 100 and always speaking from Chicago's south side one hundred thousand dollars flows out of my community.

The community that can least afford it. Money that should be used for clothes and tuition and food and rent is being gamble away you know of course that the government used to just tolerate gambling. There were certain laws they tolerated it and now we live in a society in which the government is taking the lead we be surprised if the government would take the lead in the pornography business insight now were into pornography to raise the level of revenue in the state.

And yet there into gambling and the effect essentially the same. And just as devastating as a result, in 1997. That's a couple of years ago, Americans lost $50 billion in legal gambling, primarily casinos.

Of course, and also in the lottery $50 billion, about 4% of Americans are addicted. Did to gambling millions upon millions upon millions gamble about 4% are addicted. Gambling is a parasite that feeds on a community, it destroys it, debilitate it appeals to the most base of all motives. Yes, we have to be concerned and as individuals and as a church we can do something about it and and the gambling industry is shocked but they're not hearing anything from the churches, the church that used to stand against gambling now is silent. Listen to what's happening even in our own state legislature these days you find opposition coming only from those groups that say it should be in our community.

Where are the voices who say this is wrong. This is wrong course we should be concerned but me give you another reason.

And by the way, the statistics and the information could go on and play. I've had to cut this message down and parent down so that we could get it all in today. Secondly, is gambling a sin.

Is it a sin or is it only potentially harmful habit. The new Roman Catholic encyclopedia says that it is not a sin only if it is inconsistent with your duties and obligations and so as you know, in many churches today there is gambling in gambling becomes a means of revenue and people accepted and they say it's fine because it's fun and it doesn't hurt anybody as long as you don't get into it too deeply.

So is it a sin. I prefer to agree with Augustine who said the devil.

The devil invented gambling and that could be true because the devil took the first gamble as it were against God, thinking that he would receive more than he would as God's servant so he became God's enemy, and the results of course were disastrous but me give you four biblical principles that are violated by gambling.

The first is the biblical work ethic. The biblical work ethic yet understand the gambling industry derive this and appreciates and actually is, what shall we say it takes work and it turns it into something that the gambling industry thinks should be derided and demeaned. Listen to this advertisement in Massachusetts. It says there are two options on how to make millions plan a start studying when you are seven years old real hard. Get a good job get up early each day. Crush the competition climb over your coworkers be the last one to leave every night. Avoid having a premature heart attack. By the time you're ready to retire. You should have your money that's plan a plan B play the lottery.

Fat chance. Those are my words. By the way.

Fat chance those that was not part of the advertisement.

Let me simply say this friends and I pour out my heart to you today. This is a disaster.

It's an unscriptural disaster. Listen to what the Bible says about work in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We command you brothers to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you receive from for you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we work night and day laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this not because we do not have the right to such help. But in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow for even when we were with you, we gave you this, if a man will not work, he shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle they are not busy there busybodies. Such people, we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers never tired of doing what is right for the Bible says is that work is a gift and it is come biblically. There are other ways that you can earn money. There is first of all work there is inheritance there is investments and there is a gift. Those are the only legitimate ways, all others would be excluded from that. And please don't call gambling and investment. It does not have the qualities to be able to call it that you don't gambling really is.

It is stealing by mutual consent, you say well yes, but they are consenting to it. But just because they're consenting to it.

It doesn't make it right, you don't take money from others and then you give it to all. One person that is not biblical. You're supposed to be motivated by a days pay by a days work and that opulent life that the gambling industry tends to paint it is worldly and it is just plain wrong. First of all, gambling is contrary to the biblical work ethic.

Secondly, it violates the principle of stewardship of stewardship using the Bible is very clear about the fact that all that we have has been God-given member. That parable of the man who went to the king who went out and he gave all of his his servants and Nana that's a talent of money and then it says he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said sir, your minute has earned 10 more pennies and well done, my good servant his master replied because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter.

Take charge of 10 cities. The second came and said sir, your minute has earned five more. Should you take charge of five cities. Then, another servant came and said sir, here is your minute I have kept it and laid it away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you because you are a hard man.

You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not so and so he gave the one talent that he been given one calendar minute back to him listen. It was master replied I will judge you by your own words you wicked servant, you knew. Did you not that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in everything where I did not so why then did you put my money on deposit so that when I came back I could've collected it with interest ethics.

I want you to think about this parable in this way, here's a man who was very strongly rebuked by the king for just getting back what he had been given.

The king said, why did you use it to earn more money for me to imagine what the king would've said if this man would've said I lost the one minute that you gave me because I never even hit it in the dirt. I gambled in the lottery, my friend, you are responsible to God for your money. Who of us wants to stand before the Lord. Having a loss because we gambled it away and this, by the way is very very important number of years ago a man called me from the hospital. He had been hospitalized. He was a well-known Christian leader if I mentioned his name many of you would know him and he called to say that when he was in the hospital. His wife discovered something he had been secretly gambling primarily the lottery. Some casinos and he had racked up catch this now $30,000 worth of debt on credit cards and he'd been hiding it from his wife because he was in the hospital and the creditors began to: bills began to come in. He had to confess to her, his terrible snare that awful, awful secret.

This is a Christian man. He's a Christian leader. Imagine him standing before the Lord and the Lord saying, what did you do with all that I gave you this was my money. This is not your money, and he has to say. I gambled it all away and we have to sell her house in order to pay her debts and here we are facing retirement with nothing tragedy double tragedy for a Christian you know this by the way, I think, is the answer finally to that question that people always say say what you know I do it but I'm not addicted to it I buy two lottery tickets a week and that's all I buy I go to Las Vegas once a year a friend of mine says I take 1500 or $2000 with me and if I blow all that.

Then I come back and blow all that they do.

You did here. Did you not about the man who went to Las Vegas and $30,000 Cadillac and came back in a $300,000 Greyhound bus that's the story of many of those folks but they say I'm not addicted I just spend so much and it's fun and that's the end of it, my dear friend, I know that there are millions of people who fall into that category, but that money that you have quote fun with Matt's God's money to. I believe that gambling is wrong in principle, in principle, it is wrong and it's only a matter of degree.

It's a matter of amount. But in in-kind, it still is the same gambling God's money is still gambling and contrary to stewardship. Third, it violates the principle of being satisfied with God's provision is the God has given us certain gifts he's given us certain challenges he's given us certain ways to get money. And as we begin to think about his provision. Paul says my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

See the problem is if I might be clear here, gambling, appeals to greed is what Bill Hibel scolds the monster of the more give me more give me more. It's the itch to be rich and that's what drives people, this is Pastor Luther. One day my wife and I were driving along the highway in another state and we went past a huge gambling facility that I made the remark that perhaps you have made as well, namely that that beautiful facility was built by losers. Let's remember that gambling is very deceptive, but were living at a time of financial crisis and so people are tempted to go in that direction I given a lecture entitled COBIT 19 the economy and our future and you can have this either as a DVD or a CDE for a gift of any amount. My intention is that we look scripturally at money specifically as we are going through this time of difficulty during the COBIT crisis. Here's what you can do. Go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 we should not be behaving like the world as we go through these times of difficulty. We must also answer the question as to what God is trying to teach us. As a result of this national crisis. I believe that this lecture will be a blessing. Here's what you do go to RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 ask for COBIT. 19 the economy and our future and thanks in advance for standing with us and thank you for your prayers for us together.

We are making a difference. You can write to us running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614 running to win is all about helping you find God's roadmap for your race of longing people watching lottery winners on TV say someday. My number will, just by more executives. Gambling is a shortcut bypassing honest labor. So why do people start gambling in the first place. Next time I'm running to win. Don't miss an exposé of the psychology of the gambler and how to find freedom from this addiction. Thanks for listening for Dr. Erwin looser, this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the teacher