Author: John P. Hansen
A Message to Christians
Each Christian must be governed by the law and consider the will of Christ in his life. Each one must decide for himself what to do and where to stand on the issue of casino gambling. Christians need to carefully consider this subject. Gambling has never enjoyed a very good reputation among those who study sociology. True statesmen, patriots, and legislators do not have much good to say for gambling. George Washington was a believer in and frequently quoted the French proverb: “Gambling is the child of avarice [greed], the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” Thomas Jefferson said, “Gambling corrupts our dispositions and teaches us the habit of hostility against mankind.” The great statesman Benjamin Franklin said in Poor Richard’s Almanac concerning gambling, “Keep flax from fire, youth from gambling.” Statesmen and leaders such as these can not be brushed aside as unimportant. They were concerned about the orderly moral development of our nation. They felt that gambling would be a hindrance to such.
What is Gambling?
Gambling is an artificially created game of chance, completely separated from all the vital and constructive risks of living. No skill is involved in most gambling games. In other gambling devices, skill only slows down the loss of the gambler’s money. The only consistent winner in gambling is the “house” (the casino). The games are so planned and arranged that the odds are always in favor of the house. There are always a few winners, (very few compared with the losers) but the money these few win is merely an excellent method of advertising. It is no loss; it merely brings in millions of dollars more as others see the possibility of winning, too. The vast majority of gamblers are a sick and disappointed people. When they do occasionally win, they usually lose it all again. Free drinks are a part of the sales pitch which the gambling house offers. Half-dressed girls serve drinks among the crowds continuously. Since alcohol works fast on the part of the brain that controls good judgment, the more a person drinks the more freely he gambles until he has lost his last cent and lost his power to borrow another dollar. Gambling becomes an addiction, and many feel that it is harder to cure than alcoholism.
What Evils Result From Gambling?
Gambling is like a cancer, corrupting everything it touches. Alcoholism is its attendant evil. That’s why you see the free drinks served at the casinos. Prostitution and the use of narcotics are much more prevalent amongst the casino crowd. Poverty, divorce, drunkenness, dope addiction, prostitution, robbery, theft, suicide, and murder are a few of the evils that gambling promotes. The revenue taken in taxes is hardly worth it compared to the cost of combating crime, much of which is aggravated by gambling.
Why Do People Want to Gamble?
Many people say they gamble just for fun. This may be true, to a point. You see people also drink, smoke, swear, live immoral lives, and use narcotics, too, just for fun. The Bible says that sin is pleasure “for a season.” It’s a very short season, though, and the hell that follows, both in this world and in the next, makes it a poor deal all around. But, really, I wonder sometimes if people do gamble just for fun? They surely have serious looks on their faces while playing those slot machines and table games. I witnessed many get angry and curse when they lost! I really think most people gamble because they are greedy, and want to try to get something for nothing. Gambling is really wanting something that we have no right to have, and without laboring for it. The gambler wants to reap without sowing.
Does the Bible Give Any Advice to the Christian in This Matter of Gambling?
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8. We are to keep out of our thoughts those things which are dishonorable and are not of good report. Gambling is surely one of those things. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Eph. 4:28. The right way to get possessions is by working and not by gambling. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Tim. 6:10. Covetousness makes people gamble. A Christian is not to covet, therefore a Christian should not gamble. Since life and money are sacred trusts given by God, let us not squander them, but use them for Christ and the furtherance of His cause. We have no right to squander our possessions and neither do we have the right to use the money and life God gives us to satisfy covetous desires. There is a great day coming when we shall render an account of our stewardship to God. Let us learn early in life to use our money for the benefit of the Kingdom of God and the saving of souls for Christ.
What Should the Christian Do?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. That’s our job; Christ has told us what He wants done. Christian, get busy witnessing. “Can’t do it,” you say? If you will totally consecrate yourself to God and ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit, then you’ll be able to witness. God guarantees it: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. Christian, have you ever shared what Christ has done for you with anyone else? Say you can’t do it? That doesn’t sound right. My Bible says, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:19. Jesus said that if you’d follow Him that He’d make you a fisher of men, or in other words, a soul-winner. Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Are we? Have we been the salt of the earth during this 20th century? I think not. We have stood back while the secular humanists and atheists have taken the Bible and prayer out of the public schools, legalized abortion on demand, legalized gambling in nearly every state in one form or another, etc. Today adultery is rampant, drug addiction is rampant, pornography is rampant, homosexuality is rampant. Every type of moral perversion is considered okay in American culture today. It’s sickening! Who is to blame? The Christian is! We have not been acting as a preservative as salt should. Let’s wake up, fellow Christian and win this world for Christ as He told us to.
