Gambling
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-This morning we’ll be addressing a requested topic - a topic that some see as somewhat
controversial – a topic that we most definitely have to deal with in this area - gambling.
-I could fill this lesson with a variety of statistics, but I’ve chosen not to do so.
-When it comes to stats, a person can easily say - Those numbers pertain to other
people, you know, the “problem” gamblers.
-Yet, I don’t know of anybody who purposely becomes a “problem” gambler - Just as
I’ve never met anybody who said they had purposely become an alcoholic or drug
addict.
-This morning, I want to focus on the topic of gambling in light of the principles of God’s
word.
-God’s Principles
-One of the many wonderful components of the nature of God is His consistency - the
fact that He does not change -Mal 3:6, Ps 102:26-27, Jas 1:17.
-Therefore, the principles given by God through His word remain applicable & authoritative.
-Unfortunately, I’m afraid that this is a neglected aspect of God’s word.
-Too many times, we simply look for a “thou shall” or a “thou shalt not” statement.
-Too many times, in the absence of such a statement, people conclude that they simply
have the right to make whatever decision they want and act accordingly.
-Such cases need to be viewed in the light of scriptural principles.
-The Golden Rule
-In the case of the topic of gambling, one single verse sheds tremendous light on the subject -
Matt 7:12 (The Golden Rule).
-In gambling, the only way a person “wins” is for others to lose. If others do not lose, you will
not win.
-Gambling facilities are businesses. Like any other business, to continue to operate, they
must make a profit. They make a profit through the losses of others.
-Such contributes to family troubles, economic hardships, decreased worker
productivity, increased crime, etc.
-Matt 7:15-20 - Context is obviously false teachers - “by their fruits ye shall know them”
-Yet, consider this: What type of fruit does gambling produce?
-Good Stewardship
-Gambling violates the principles set forth in the scriptures regarding proper stewardship.
-We need to properly manage the things that we have. We need to remember that we have
them due to the goodness, grace and mercy of God - Jas 1:17.
-We won’t go into this with any depth but let’s quickly make reference to several passages
that address stewardship:
-Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
-Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:12-27)
-Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
-These passages reveal that earning a gain is not wrong as long as it is done within the
guidelines of the scriptures. These passages teach us to be honest, hard workers who
handle our finances and possessions in a proper, responsible manner.
-Gambling -hoping to get something for nothing - get quick rich idea - simply doesn’t
fit within these principles.
-Often times it is greed and covetousness that motivates the gambler. Both are condemned.
-What About “Recreational / Entertaining” Gambling?
-What about the person who sets a specific amount to gamble with simply for recreation or
entertainment? Somebody might say, “I set aside $50 for gambling. When the $50 is gone, I
will stop.”
-Again, how do you know that you’ll be able to stop. That’s an interesting and odd thing
about gambling - it’s addictiveness on both ends: The winner wants to win more and the
loser wants to recoup his losses.
-Somebody might say, “You might spend $50 fishing or golfing for recreation. I just spend my
$50 gambling.”
-If somebody sees me fishing or golfing, my influence for Christ has not been hindered.
If somebody sees me at the casino, what does that do to my Christian influence?
-Obviously, there’s a difference. And, fishing and golfing (in their proper places) do not
violate the principles of scripture.
-Are we saying that it doesn’t really matter what we do, just the extent at which we do it?
Is anything ok as long as it is done in moderation? Surely, we wouldn’t want to take
that stand. -drinking, drugs, fornication, theft, etc....?
-Summary and Invitation
-Remember the importance of a categorical view when dealing with principles. Which
category does gambling best fit into? – sin or righteousness? right or wrong? works of the
flesh or fruit of the Spirit?
-“...[E]xperts have expressed alarm at the rising numbers of teenagers who are gambling.
They refer to gambling as “the growing addiction,” and predict that it will cause teens more
problems during the next decade than illegal drugs (McCabe, 1990, p. 7-D)” (Christians, Gambling, and the
Lottery by Dave Miller, Ph.D. and Kyle Butt, M.A., http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2301).
-Let’s consider these important principles of the scriptures and understand that a Christian should
have no involvement with gambling. Let’s set ourselves apart from it and pursue God’s will.
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-This morning we’ll be addressing a requested topic - a topic that some see as somewhat
controversial – a topic that we most definitely have to deal with in this area - gambling.
-I could fill this lesson with a variety of statistics, but I’ve chosen not to do so.
-When it comes to stats, a person can easily say - Those numbers pertain to other
people, you know, the “problem” gamblers.
-Yet, I don’t know of anybody who purposely becomes a “problem” gambler - Just as
I’ve never met anybody who said they had purposely become an alcoholic or drug
addict.
-This morning, I want to focus on the topic of gambling in light of the principles of God’s
word.
-God’s Principles
-One of the many wonderful components of the nature of God is His consistency - the
fact that He does not change -Mal 3:6, Ps 102:26-27, Jas 1:17.
-Therefore, the principles given by God through His word remain applicable & authoritative.
-Unfortunately, I’m afraid that this is a neglected aspect of God’s word.
-Too many times, we simply look for a “thou shall” or a “thou shalt not” statement.
-Too many times, in the absence of such a statement, people conclude that they simply
have the right to make whatever decision they want and act accordingly.
-Such cases need to be viewed in the light of scriptural principles.
-The Golden Rule
-In the case of the topic of gambling, one single verse sheds tremendous light on the subject -
Matt 7:12 (The Golden Rule).
-In gambling, the only way a person “wins” is for others to lose. If others do not lose, you will
not win.
-Gambling facilities are businesses. Like any other business, to continue to operate, they
must make a profit. They make a profit through the losses of others.
-Such contributes to family troubles, economic hardships, decreased worker
productivity, increased crime, etc.
-Matt 7:15-20 - Context is obviously false teachers - “by their fruits ye shall know them”
-Yet, consider this: What type of fruit does gambling produce?
-Good Stewardship
-Gambling violates the principles set forth in the scriptures regarding proper stewardship.
-We need to properly manage the things that we have. We need to remember that we have
them due to the goodness, grace and mercy of God - Jas 1:17.
-We won’t go into this with any depth but let’s quickly make reference to several passages
that address stewardship:
-Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
-Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:12-27)
-Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)
-These passages reveal that earning a gain is not wrong as long as it is done within the
guidelines of the scriptures. These passages teach us to be honest, hard workers who
handle our finances and possessions in a proper, responsible manner.
-Gambling -hoping to get something for nothing - get quick rich idea - simply doesn’t
fit within these principles.
-Often times it is greed and covetousness that motivates the gambler. Both are condemned.
-What About “Recreational / Entertaining” Gambling?
-What about the person who sets a specific amount to gamble with simply for recreation or
entertainment? Somebody might say, “I set aside $50 for gambling. When the $50 is gone, I
will stop.”
-Again, how do you know that you’ll be able to stop. That’s an interesting and odd thing
about gambling - it’s addictiveness on both ends: The winner wants to win more and the
loser wants to recoup his losses.
-Somebody might say, “You might spend $50 fishing or golfing for recreation. I just spend my
$50 gambling.”
-If somebody sees me fishing or golfing, my influence for Christ has not been hindered.
If somebody sees me at the casino, what does that do to my Christian influence?
-Obviously, there’s a difference. And, fishing and golfing (in their proper places) do not
violate the principles of scripture.
-Are we saying that it doesn’t really matter what we do, just the extent at which we do it?
Is anything ok as long as it is done in moderation? Surely, we wouldn’t want to take
that stand. -drinking, drugs, fornication, theft, etc....?
-Summary and Invitation
-Remember the importance of a categorical view when dealing with principles. Which
category does gambling best fit into? – sin or righteousness? right or wrong? works of the
flesh or fruit of the Spirit?
-“...[E]xperts have expressed alarm at the rising numbers of teenagers who are gambling.
They refer to gambling as “the growing addiction,” and predict that it will cause teens more
problems during the next decade than illegal drugs (McCabe, 1990, p. 7-D)” (Christians, Gambling, and the
Lottery by Dave Miller, Ph.D. and Kyle Butt, M.A., http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2301).
-Let’s consider these important principles of the scriptures and understand that a Christian should
have no involvement with gambling. Let’s set ourselves apart from it and pursue God’s will.
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
