It was played in ancient times and in 2006 generated over 90 billion dollars in gross revenues in the United States. There are slot machines, roulette wheels, dice tables, cards, and the lottery. Then we move on to animals like horses, dogs, and even chickens. Another big betting avenue is any sporting events like football, soccer, basketball and the list goes on.

The American Indians no longer have the buffalo to survive on so now many depend on casinos. There are over 2 million known compulsive-addicted gamblers, another estimated 3 million, and over 15 million at risk today. Gambling leads to increased political corruption, more organized crime, higher crime rates, more drug and alcohol abuse not counting suicides. Loss of jobs and money, family violence, higher divorce rates and demoralized children go along with it.

The question is what does the Bible say about gambling? First, God made and designed us for work, (Genesis 2:4&5, Exodus 20:9). God will bless the right kind of work if it is done honestly, (Deuteronomy 28:12). How we obtain our money is going to be judged and He does not approve of money made from prostitution, dishonesty or the making of idols or false gods, (1 Corinthians 3:13, Proverbs 13:11).

Gambling feeds the sin of lust, and it causes us to try to get something for nothing and not be content with what God has provided, (James 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:4).

See you in Church next Sunday.

Brother J