Today, I read a post on another blog titled:

“Gambling & Christians - Do They Mix or Not?”

I’m a Christian, and I consider myself a good Christian - you already know my stance on Gambling. So, I was interested in the writer’s views (which were negative).

So, I wrote a response to his post, point by point. As I reprint it here, my comments are in “moderation mode” and whether or not they are accepted for print on his blog, I wanted to let you see my thoughts. Please write your comments at the end of this post… thanks.

My answer to the article titled:
“Gambling & Christians - Do they mix or not?”

* Often is connected with other sinful acts, such as prostitution and drugs.

NO, No it’s NOT! I know many gamblers, and NONE of them are involved in either prostitution nor drugs. Further, I don’t know ANY gamblers that are! Don’t paint with such a wide brush!

* Is always involved with get-rich-quick motives (see Proverbs 28:22).

ALWAYS? Again, I don’t know any gamblers that are expecting (or even trying) to make a killing. Instead, they are methodical mathematicians who grind out a living this way. The machine junkies that are trying for the BIG jackpots… are NOT gamblers.

* Discourages work or labor. typically late nighters or calling into work to be off (see Genesis 3:19).

Once again you’ve used your wide brush to make your point. However, once again, I believe that gamblers spend many, many hours studying their games (table and sports) in order to eek out the very slightest advantage over their opponents (the casino, or the other players at their table [poker]). They work extremely hard at their craft, take nothing for granted, and if they’re pulling a late nighter, it’s because they have to study to get ready for tomorrow’s play. I don’t even know how to respond to your charge that gamblers “call into work to get time off”. That brush paints EVERY vocation… and gamblers no more than any others because that’s an individual decision, not an industry one.

* Often will offend a brother or sister in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 8:11-12).

It seems to me that if that were true, it’s the problem of the offendee, NOT the “offender”. One can only be offended within one’s own beliefs not by the actions of others. Perception is worth much more than reality. Gambling is only offensive to a person who already believes that gambling is offensive. It’s not the duty nor the right to try to change the beliefs of those we encounter. They believe what they believe - with or without our input. That’s why it offends SOME but not ALL.

* Grows and feeds a heart of greed and love of money, which Scripture says is the root of all evil. “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9).

So many cliches, so many assumptions, so many knee-jerk reactions, so many exaggerations… the only thing “foolish” is your willingness to write such drivel.

Do you hold insurance salesmen in the same contempt? They are selling gambles! How about stock brokers? Do you think they’re immoral too? They’re selling gambles. Or, do you only think the “bad guys” are the gamblers - not the business men (Casinos, Insurance Companies, and Stock Brokerages)? They’re OK because they’re business… but the guy who chooses to do business WITH them (the gambler, the man buying life insurance, the lady buying stocks) are the sinners? Your brush is not only wide, it’s selective too!