For 13 years, my family and I resided in Las Vegas, Nevada. During that time, we observed the numerous temptations associated with the legal, lucrative gambling industry. Even if a person completely avoids the famous 2-mile Strip, he or she encounters slot machines in virtually every grocery store, gas station, convenience store, bowling alley, and even in K-Mart! It isn't unusual to stand in the grocery line and hear a young child beg his mother, as she continues feeding quarters to the slot machine, to take him home. Sadly, this picture is quite different from a picture of the "fun pastime" many associate with gambling.

In the 1990s, gambling was the number-one problem for our country's teenagers:

"Just as teenagers are beginning to show signs of curtailing risky sex, illicit drug use, and drunk driving, another potentially destructive behavior-gambling--is threatening to become the teen vice of the 90s...The most popular forms of gambling among teenagers include betting on sports, card playing, lotteries, and slot machines...For teenage and other problem gamblers, betting fever may lead to serious crimes as well as self-destruction...The social and personal factors that cause compulsive gambling, such as widespread materialism and unstable families, continues unabated." (U.S. News & World Report, June 18, 1990, pg.51)

In America, 48 states and Washington D.C. have some form of legalized gambling. Only Hawaii and Utah do not. More than half the states have casinos. Almost all of the states have their own lotteries. It has been estimated that more than 100 million Americans legally gamble a total of over $500 billion per year. Sadly, gambling is one of the most difficult sins to recognize. Unfortunately, not only do some brethren gamble, they also attempt to prove that it is right in God's sight. No longer is this a problem for only those who are outside the church.

We begin by asking some questions and defining our subject.

1. What is good about gambling?
   
   
2. What about gambling is so attractive that it entices so many to participate?
   
   
3. Does gambling, in any form, damage a Christian's influence and example?
   
   

Gambling, by definition, means "to play a game for money or another stake...Hence, to take money or other things of value upon an uncertain event; to hazard; to wager." (Webster's N.I. Dictionary) Gambling involves two essential elements:

1. The stake. (One wins at another's expense.)
   
   
2. The element of chance. (If you play, there's a chance you'll win or lose.)
   
   

One reason this sin seems so harmless and is so difficult to recognize is the plain fact that virtually every part of our society accepts some form or part of it.

Many denominational and secular groups, even some charity groups, not only approve, but also arrange for gambling events that raise money for the Lord or some worthy cause. Bingo and Monte Carlo Nights raise funds for various organizations (even some churches) that hide behind the "good" the money does. In Las Vegas, the gaming industry receives positive publicity because of the millions of revenue dollars it gives to the schools. Most states have passed and adopted lottery systems as acceptable means of raising revenues without raising taxes. Nevada doesn't even have a state tax.

When we examine some of the arguments offered by those who condone gambling, it becomes easier to see why these arguments are wrong.

Gambling is a form of entertainment. While preaching in a meeting in California, I learned that two couples that attended there had recently returned from a gambling weekend in Las Vegas. (One man was a former elder.) He tried to tell me that gambling was no different than hunting and fishing. He also said he did it only for entertainment. When I asked if he would give back any money he won, he said, "Of course not; it's mine." I told him I knew of a place in Las Vegas where they sold old slot machines. He could purchase one, put it in his home, save money, and still get the entertainment value. He answered: "No way, how can I win the jackpot by doing that?"

Gambling, just like driving, investing, or farming, is a risk. Yes, driving is a risk, but it is not a risk you choose or desire. If a man drives safely, how does he gain another's property? Will others lose anything if he drives safely?

Farmers often risk suffering losses due to weather, insects, low crop prices, diseases, etc. They do not desire to take risks; in fact, they would prefer not to suffer the losses. Are they attempting to gain something for nothing? If they do lose, they lose their own-not someone else's--work, time, and money. Do farmers wish to take advantage of others by taking from them and gaining at their expense?

Is putting money into investments or bonds gambling? Does the investor hope someone else loses so he can gain? He invests his own money and time to make money, and if he loses, it's his money. The investor wins only if business prospers; he wants everyone to win.

Those who make such arguments need to understand the difference between risk and chance. In life, many things are risks. Gambling involves chance-not risk. Gambling is not one of the three legitimate ways to make money.

1. Labor-money paid and earned through either physical or mental effort.
   1. Working for wages. Read Matthew 20:1, 2; Luke 10:7.
      
      
   2. Providing for our own. Read 1 Timothy 5:8.
      
      
2. Exchange-an item exchanged for its money value or other goods of equal value.
   1. Buying, selling, or trading a thing for something of the same value. Read Luke 22:36; John 4:8. Paul made tents to help earn his living (Acts 18:3).
3. Love-money or other goods (gift or inheritance) received without expectation of a return.
   1. Giving or receiving a gift. Read Ephesians 4:28; Acts 2:45; 4:36, 37.

Is there a passage where God authorizes men to play a game of chance and risk something of value on the outcome, so that some will profit because others lose?

One day, while I was working in my Las Vegas office, I received a call from a Christian who had traveled from Texas to Las Vegas with his family. He had never been to Las Vegas and had never gambled. He just wanted to try it. After two days at the tables, he had lost all of his money. He was about to cash in his plane tickets when his wife and children finally persuaded him to stop. He cried and asked me to pray that God would forgive him for setting such a terrible example before his family. He couldn't understand how such a thing could happen to him. It happens when you put your first coin in the slot machine, or when you make your first bet!

During our time in Las Vegas, I had many discussions with people who were addicted to alcohol, drugs, and gambling. When asked to identify the mistake that triggered their becoming hooked on these addictions, each said the same thing: "It was the first drink, the first drug, or the first bet." If you don't start, you will not become an addict. Some people get gambling fever. One young man who was in the military is now serving ten years in a military prison for stealing government money to support his gambling addiction.

Does gambling destroy the Christian's influence? Absolutely! When I made this comment during a lesson on gambling, one of the sisters took offense. When she bought groceries, she always used her change to play the slot machines. Later, she told me she planned to get her Bible and prove me wrong. For six weeks, she avoided the machines at the grocery store. One day, the change girl (the person who converts bills into coins) saw her and called her over. She told the sister she had not seen her at the machines for a while and was wondering whether she had been on vacation. The sister told her about my sermon and what I had said and that she had been studying and had purposely avoided the slot machines. The change girl looked at her and asked, "You're a Christian?" The sister repented to God and to me; since that time, she has not placed one quarter in a slot machine.

It may look like harmless fun; but gambling has destroyed many lives. There is nothing good about it. God said false prophets would be known by "their fruits" (Matthew 7:20). Gambling produces only bad fruit. It is attractive because someone gets something for nothing. What he gets may rightfully be yours, and vice versa.

During a flight home after a meeting, I sat beside a fellow who was about to begin his first Las Vegas visit. He was so excited; he couldn't wait for the plane to land. He asked if this was my first trip, and I told him I lived in Las Vegas. He thought that was great and asked if I could tell him the best places to gamble. "Sure," I said, "no where." As we flew over the strip, I asked him to look out the window. Then I asked where they got the money to build all those casinos. He assumed they were financed by individual investors or by financial institutions. He didn't understand that the people who gamble make the casino payments! Casinos are built with money that belongs to the losers-not the winners. When, against the odds, you win the jackpot, you take another person's money. The casino has already taken its share.

Just before we left, Las Vegas was planning an attempt to improve its image so as to entice families to bring their children to visit. To accomplish this, many of the casinos built arcades and game rooms for the younger children. The idea was to get the children to pay money to play, in an effort to win various prizes. From a business standpoint, it was a huge success. They were grooming the younger crowd to move upstairs to the big tables. Both places (upstairs and downstairs) have the same concept-gamble and take a chance on an uncertain outcome.

Bingo, raffles, fair arcades, as well as baseball and football squares at the office, are all forms of gambling. Christians who seek to serve God must make every attempt not to destroy their influence and open the door to further temptation by playing such games. Young people, do not allow yourselves to be taken in by the lights, the ease of playing, and the temptation to make easy money. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gambling is a sin because it always involves someone who wins at the expense of someone who loses.

How do we show brotherly love when we steal from others in order to gain for ourselves? Please consider and answer the following questions:

1. Can I, as a Christian, willfully take advantage of another person, if I truly love that person?
   
   
2. Define the words risk and chance. Which does gambling involve?
   
   
3. Define the three honest ways to make money. In which category does gambling belong?
   
   
4. How does gambling complement a Christian's example and influence?
   
   
5. Define the word covetousness.
   
   
6. Why should gambling be considered a vice?
   
   
7. What are the fruits of gambling?
   
   
8. List some examples of gambling.
   
   

The honest person will have no problem answering these questions. Gambling is one of the so-called respectable sins. Today, people give no thought to the evils of gambling. Sadly, many states that previously thought gambling would be a way out of some of their money problems found to their regret that it comes with other baggage. Addicts who destroy their lives and homes turn to crime to feed their gambling habits which have become more important than living. How could anyone-especially a Christian-- justify such conduct? But justify it they do and even participate in it themselves. They need to read Paul's words in the book of Romans: "Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1:32) Gambling is a sin that will cost a person's soul-end of story!

---

It looks like it is fun and harmless, but that is because the devil is good at packaging the tricks of his trade. Spin the wheel, but no matter how much you win, in the end you still lose! The money and all it can buy are not worth losing your soul. Think about it soberly and prayerfully. (See Matthew 16:26).