The Canadian Reformed Church of Aldergrove

Roll the Dice?

Casinos seem to be popping up everywhere these days. And if it isn’t casinos, it’s betting on the horses, or laying money down in hockey, football, and baseball pools. And then there is the ever-popular lottery ticket calling out to you at almost every grocery check-out counter. It’s hard to imagine there was ever a time when gambling was illegal. What should Christians make of all this?

There’s no doubt that gambling can be quite fun, especially if you’re on a roll. Spend a few dollars and you could win hundreds – maybe more! The thrill of winning keeps you in the hunt. And if you lose a little, you always hope to make it back when you hit the jackpot. There’s an excitement, an adrenalin rush that keeps you coming back again and again. The high of scoring big has an addictive quality to it – you never have enough!

There’s another way to describe that drive to hit it big – it’s called greed. The desire to make money, even become rich, without working for it is not a Christian desire. The root of gambling is the greedy desire to become rich quick. The Lord Jesus warns us about this when He said, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”¹ We must not be focussed on money or getting rich. The Apostle Paul writes that, “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”² At the end of the day we can either love God or we can love money, but we can’t do both. Christians must live with a different focus, as Paul continues, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”⁴

There’s another reason gambling is wrong in God’s eyes. When you throw the dice or buy a lottery ticket, you place your trust in something called “luck” or “chance.” With fingers crossed, you hope it’ll be your “lucky day!” Basically, luck becomes your “god,” the thing you hope on, the force you count on to bring you financial success. But the Bible is clear that there is only one God: “Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”⁵ There really is no such thing as chance or luck. Instead, the one true God controls all things, as He says, “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.”⁶ For Christians to place their trust in chance and pursue the greedy desire of self-enrichment is really to deny their God.

Instead God calls us to trust in Him alone and work diligently in His service. Riches shouldn’t be on our mind but we should be content with having our needs met: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”⁷ Far from being greedy and thinking only of getting rich, we should work faithfully so “that he may have something to share with those in need.” Our love for God must further result in a love for our neighbour.

Has the lure of gambling attracted you? There is forgiveness in the blood of the Saviour. It’s time to come clean before the Lord and seek His grace. Don’t gamble your life away, but entrust your entire life to Jesus Christ, the one true God.

Biblical quotations on this page are from: 1) Luke 12:15; 2) 1 Timothy 6:9,10; 3) Matthew 6:24; 4) 1 Timothy 6:11; 5) Deuteronomy 4:39; 6) Isaiah 45:6,7; 7) Proverbs 30:8

All Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version (NIV)

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Questions and Answers:

1. How shall we liive?
2. Rebel or Respect?
3. Dare to Discipline?
4. Fetus or Baby?
5. Death Penalty?
6. Should Sex be Free ?
7. Same-Sex Marriage?
8. Christian Divorce?
9. Roll the Dice?
10. White Lies?
11. What is Truth?
12. How is Your Heart?

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