Christianityin America

There is no doubt that Christianity is the largest religion in the US, with over 70% of the population. Christianity came to the shores of this vast continent in the 16^th century with the first British settlers. At the time, the American continent offered safe refuge from persecution for many protestant Christians. It so happens that the perpetrators of the oppression were their catholic brethren in Europe.

As a religion, Christianity flourished in America. The faith evenprevailed over the turbulence of the Civil War that had spilt thecontinent in twain. The original Christian denominations have spiltmultiple-times over time, with offshoots morphing into distinctdenominations at every turn. The eventual outcome is that the Americaof today is host to the largest number of Christian denominations onearth.

The nationwide explosion of legal gambling may well be the most underrated dimension of America's moral crisis. With the expansion of state lotteries, casino gambling, and new technologies, the gambling industry is poised to grow even further in the next decade. This article by Dr. (New Jersey, USA) tackles two epidemics of 21st Century western culture – gambling and alcohol – and examines them from a Biblical perspective. Any student of American history quickly recognises the name of Eliot Ness and his “Untouchables”, who enforced prohibition in Chicago during the 1930’s. Gambling is often the result of coveting more wealth or items, which the Book of Luke warns about when it says, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). What does the Bible say about gambling? Is gambling a sin according to Scripture? 'But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many.

Gamblingand Christianity in America

Whenyou consider the proliferation of Christian denominations in the US,you may find yourself asking this question. Do all AmericanChristians confess the same beliefs? Do US Christians have the samestance towards major social issues? Do all the various denominationshave the same opinion about gambling? In our attempt to answer thesequestions, we will try to understand how Christian doctrinecontributes to mainstream Christian attitudes towards gambling.

Christian-backedanti-gambling rhetoric has been part of the American political andsocial-economic landscape for a very long time. Pressure fromChristian lobby groups had, at one time, led to federal regulationsbanning gambling from all states except Nevada. Las Vegas was theonly government-sanctioned gambling destination in the US. However,government policies towards gambling have become lenient, and casinosare currently prime contributors to state revenue.

GamblingNot Exclusively Mentioned in Scripture

Theopinion of most Christians is far from being adiaphorous when itcomes to the issue of gambling. Conservative Christians firmlybelieve that gambling is a vice that should be banned within the US.Others have a milder stance and find certain forms of gamblingallowable. This notable difference in opinion might have more to dowith church doctrine than sound scriptural teaching.

Nodirect reference is made towards gambling within the bible, either asan outright vice or as a practice that can be condoned. This premisemeans the vast majority of anti-gambling church rhetoric arises fromsubjective opinions of church leadership. Church leaders, however,assert that their sentiments towards gambling are derived from theproper application of biblical principles. Let us look at somecommonly referenced bible verses and how they apply to gambling

SomeChristians consider Gambling Okay

Thereare Christians who do not see any harm in gambling if they make abudget beforehand. This view proposes that as long as one does notcompromise on life essentials, then one is free to gamble. Christianswho commit to this belief view gambling as nothing more than harmlessentertainment. As such, any gambling expenses, thus incurred, wouldbe no different from the money spent at an amusement park.

Doesthe bible allow for such a liberal opinion of gambling? The answerdepends on how you look at one particular verse. 1^stCorinthians 6:12 grants a Christian the right to do anything providedthat he/she is not mastered by anything.

BiblicalTeaching used to imply Gambling is wrong

There are several verses in the bible that have been used as the basis for anti-gambling rhetoric. What follows is a general discussion of these verses. We look at what they say and how their message is interpreted.

2^nd Corinthians 6:14

The portion of the verse inferred to gambling has to do with ‘not being yoked together with unbelievers’. This verse is used to extort Christians from associating with unbelievers at two levels. The first interpretation has to do the physical aspect of the association. The verse is thus used to imply that Christians should not attend the same venues as unbelievers. The second interpretation has to do with the social outlook of a Christian. A Christian is thus extorted from engaging in behaviours associated non-believers. The first inference is therefore made against attending casinos while the second inference prohibits gambling as a vice.

Proverbs 15:27

The relevant portion of the verse that has to do with ‘greed for unjust gain’. This verse does appear to refer to gambling when you consider that gambling does allow for a disproportionate gain. Using this inferred aspect of gambling, preachers have condemned the activity as an avenue for greed that Christians should avoid. However, the rest of the verse does make things clear. The warning contained therein has to with the accepting of bribes and not gambling.

1^st Timothy 6:10

Thisverse is a favourite for many pastors and preachers as a scripturalprinciple against gambling. The verse warns against ‘the love ofmoney’ as being the ‘root of all evil.’ Preachers assert the mainreason why people gamble is the desire for riches, and as such, thisdesire would ultimately lead a Christian to greater evil. Is thedesire for money the sole reason why people gamble? Indeed, it is asignificant reason, but it is not the prime reason. As with previousverses, this verse is also open to interpretation.

Mathew 18:6

Thisverse warns against ‘causing one of these little ones to sin.’ Theverse is broadly interpreted as a warning against introducingchildren to corrupt practices. Thus the verse is used to rallyChristian parents to actively participate in efforts to shut downgambling establishments in a neighbourhood. You should note, as withthe other bible verses above, this verse does not directly refer togambling.

TheChurch’s Stance on Lottery Winnings

Many churches across the US have at one time or another, accepted lottery winnings as church contributions. These contributions have been made by devout Christians who firmly believe in the biblical obligation to tithe. One such gift in 2008 saw the True North Community Church in Port Jefferson receiving $100,000 annually for 20 years. This arrangement between the state lottery and the church came about after a parishioner donated a lottery ticket worth $ 3 million.

Gambling From A Christian Perspective Christian

But does the acceptance of tithes from lottery winnings imply that gambling winnings can be used positively? Opinion on this particular point varies. Indeed, there is a deep divide between conservative preachers and more liberal pastors when it comes to accepting contributions originating from gambling activities. Conservative preachers and Christians alike stick to the position that gambling is a modern vice arising from the mother of all vice, Greed.

Although liberal Christians do not condemn church contributions from lottery winnings, some do limit their approval to lotteries. To this faction, the purchase of ticket lotteries is acceptable because a fraction of the money is meant for charitable contributions. This premise thus validates making church contributions from lottery winnings.

Conclusion

Christianopinion of gambling is mostly negative. However, Christians havebegun to realize that a would-be vice like gambling can havedesirable aspects. It is also evident that Christianity is becoming,increasingly, accommodating towards gambling. More and moreChristians are letting go of the hard-line views put forth byleadership in the church. Ultimately, these liberal Christians willthe majority, and Christianity will be negative towards gambling nomore.

Anti-Gambling Sunday is September 21. To download a free bulletin insert go here.

A dear pastor friend of mine who, like me, finds himself of necessity involved in trying to keep casino gambling out of Kentucky asked me to share some biblical reasons why I believe gambling is wrong. I actually wrote most of the following in 2005 and it was published in the Western Recorder. In order that it might contribute to the debate that now consumes our state, as well as inform some of my students who think it an adiapherous avocation, I share it once again with the conviction that a follower of Christ has no business gambling.

Gambling From A Christian Perspective Approach

Simply put, gambling is sin.

If no passage of Scripture explicitly forbids it, can we with confidence claim that gambling is wrong, a moral evil, sin? With good reason, Christians are hesitant to label sins that the Bible doesn’t mention, yet we often have to distill principles from the Bible that we apply to contemporary situations. Pornography, computer hacking, or cheating on tests aren’t mentioned in the Bible either, yet believers who want to live like Jesus know intuitively and correctly that these behaviors run counter to the will of God. While biblical texts may not mention them explicitly, biblical principles speak to them directly.

In the same way, the ethics of Scripture clearly teach that gambling is wrong and a sin against God, not for one single reason but for many. The slot machine, casino, or poker table are not for believers submitted to the Lordship of Christ.

Many Christians object that if they budget a certain amount of their discretionary entertainment funds for gambling and don’t go beyond that, what’s the harm? After all, Christian people waste money on all kinds of diversions. Far from convincing me that gambling is not necessarily wrong, this particular argument actually confirms it in my mind, because it reveals a complete disregard for what one’s participation in gambling does to others. This argument reveals a self-centeredness and lack of concern for weaker brothers and sisters that believers ought to find disturbing (Rom. 14:21). In reality, even Christians who are not personally hurt by it are not free to participate in an industry that preys on the weak and the poor.

The Bible is full of references to God’s view of economics. In the garden of Eden, even before sin entered the world, God established a work ethic by which humanity was to exist (Gen. 1:28-30) Part of God’s creation of man in his own image was that man would work for his food. While God provided it, Adam and Eve had to exercise “dominion” over the plants and animals and till the soil, working for their sustenance. After they sinned, work changed to a more laborious task, but it remained the way God provided for them. In other words, God’s way is that we should earn what we get.

Think about these reasons why gambling violates Christian principles:

• Working and investing for a living is based on a win/win scenario, but gambling is always win/lose. God put his stamp of approval on commerce and work. When a carpenter builds a cabinet and gets paid, both parties win. One of them gets the cabinets she wanted, and one of them gets the money he desired. They can both feel good about the transaction. Not so with gambling. Someone always loses and pays a price.
• Gambling is motivated by greed. Let’s be honest and admit that greed lies at the heart of all gambling. The desire to get something for nothing is really another name for covetousness (Exod. 20:17; Prov. 21:25-26).
• Gambling is a wasteful use of the Lord’s money. I doubt that many Christians who gamble tithe, but even if they do, New Testament Christians understand that God doesn’t have the right to only ten percent of our money, but all of it. Even though I am a tither, I am still required to be a steward of all I have because it belongs to God. I am no freer to gamble with God’s money than I am with anyone else’s. Even though others might waste the Lord’s money on equally frivolous things, their sin doesn’t excuse mine.

Gambling From A Christian Perspective Counseling

Gambling shows a lack of love for my neighbor. If I really love my neighbor, I want only what is for his good (Matt. 22:39, 1 Cor. 10:24). When legislators talk about putting casinos on the state line so we can prey on the greed and weakness of our neighbors, they reveal the harmful assault that gambling really is. Can I in good conscience support something that preys on the weaknesses and indulges the worst instincts of the precious people around me?
Gambling fails to consider innocent families. We might be tempted to think that if a person gambles away all of his money, then that is his problem and serves him right. But what of his ten-year-old son who can’t afford school supplies? What of his wife who has to work to pay off the credit cards she didn’t even know she had? What of his ailing parents who cannot count on his help in their senior years? What of his daughter’s college education? Proverbs 15:27 says “A greedy man brings trouble to his family,” and nowhere is that more obvious than in the gambling industry.
Gambling shows no concern for God’s glory. A Jesus-follower should try to glorify God in everything (1 Cor. 10:31), and use his or her money to accomplish good for the kingdom (Matt. 6:19-21, 24).

Gambling is not an act of faith but a game of chance. Paul wrote that “Everything that is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). The Christian life is to be lived in dependence on God to meet all needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).

Gambling From A Christian Perspective Ministries

Jesus wouldn’t do it. Can you picture Jesus sitting at a slot machine with a cup full of quarters? He was interested in doing his Father’s business, alleviating suffering and grief, not contributing to it.