Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we read about people casting lots when a decision had to be made. In most instances, this was simply a way of determining something impartially:
Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions. (Joshua 18:10, NIV)
Casting lots was common among many ancient cultures. Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments at his crucifixion:
"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did. (John 19:24, NIV)
Although the words "gambling" and "gamble" do not appear in the Bible, we cannot assume that an activity is not a sin simply because it is not mentioned. Looking at pornography on the Internet and using illegal drugs are not mentioned either, but both violate God's laws.
While casinos and lotteries promise thrills and excitement, obviously people gamble to try to win money. Scripture gives very specific instructions about what our attitude should be toward money:
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)
"No servant can serve two masters. [Jesus said.] Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13, NIV)
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. (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)
Gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard:
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4, NIV)
One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure. Gamblers may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lord’s work or to save it for an emergency, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player.
Gamblers covet more money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment:
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV)
Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million U.S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million are problem gamblers. This addiction can destroy the stability of the family, lead to job loss, and cause a person to lose control of their life:
…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. (2 Peter 2:19)
Some argue that gambling is nothing more than entertainment, no more immoral than going to a movie or concert. People who attend movies or concerts expect only entertainment in return, however, not money. They are not tempted to keep spending until they "break even."
Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope. Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we are constantly reminded that our hope is in God alone, not money, power, or position:
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5, NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV)
Some Christians believe that church raffles, bingos and the like to raise funds for Christian education and ministries are harmless fun, a form of donation involving a game. Their logic is that, as with alcohol, an adult should act responsibly. In those circumstances, it seems unlikely someone would lose a large amount of money.
Every leisure activity is not a sin, but all sin is not clearly listed in the Bible. Added to that, God doesn't just want us not to sin, but he gives us an even higher goal. The Bible encourages us to consider our activities in this way:
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV)
This verse appears again in 1 Corinthians 10:23, with the addition of this idea: "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive." When an activity is not distinctly described as sin in the Bible, we can ask ourselves these questions: "Is this activity beneficial for me or will it become my master? Will participation in this activity be constructive or destructive to my Christian life and witness?"
The Bible does not explicitly say, "Thou shalt not play blackjack." Yet by gaining a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures we have a trustworthy guide for determining what pleases and displeases God.
Stardust, I seriously warn you against using modern bibles.King James Bible is number one selling book in history.
Originally posted by Siaokias:Stardust, I seriously warn you against using modern bibles.King James Bible is number one selling book in history.
Not all ppl used to king james version.
Originally posted by Siaokias:Stardust, I seriously warn you against using modern bibles.King James Bible is number one selling book in history.
Because my church dun use king james version.
We use NIV version. Sorry.
Originally posted by -StarDust-:
Because my church dun use king james version.We use NIV version. Sorry.
The problem is you deliberately don't want to listen to me and your God.Read Hosea 4:6.
Originally posted by Siaokias:The problem is you deliberately don't want to listen to me and your God.Read Hosea 4:6.
Ok i quote from kings james version nextime.
Back to the topic,gambling is definitely a sin because only rich people gambles.You don't see starving Africans gamble, right?
Originally posted by Siaokias:Back to the topic,gambling is definitely a sin because only rich people gambles.You don't see starving Africans gamble, right?
Maybe rich africans will gamble but nt starving africans.
I think gambling is a sin too.
Originally posted by -StarDust-:
Because my church dun use king james version.We use NIV version. Sorry.
i will not force the usage of KJV here, but since you insist of using of NIV, could you try to quote all phases in NIV, because i noticed that you used a lot of different translations in your posts,
NIV is translated by dynamic equlivance and KJV is translated by static equilvance method, which mean NIV is translated idea by idea and KJV is translated by word by word, hence, KJV should be more reliable
These verses proved this Psalm 12: 6
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times. (NIV version)
6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (KJV version)
This clearly proved that God words are flawless, why translate idea by idea, not words by words
Mat 5: 18
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (KJV )
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (NIV)
This means that every word in the bible stands, not one should be omitted
In addition, many verses are missing in NIV as compared to KJV, amounting to a whole 90,000 words lost
hence, i strongly advise you to read the reformation bible -Authorized KJV
Woa, sorry side track abit...
I didn't know this thing about NIV until now...
but still, i am pretty poor in english, i can't understand KJV at times...
any other version that you all can recommend? NKJV?
Originally posted by popikachu:Woa, sorry side track abit...
I didn't know this thing about NIV until now...
but still, i am pretty poor in english, i can't understand KJV at times...
any other version that you all can recommend? NKJV?
Most churches I go use NIV.
Originally posted by SBS n SMRT:i will not force the usage of KJV here, but since you insist of using of NIV, could you try to quote all phases in NIV, because i noticed that you used a lot of different translations in your posts,
NIV is translated by dynamic equlivance and KJV is translated by static equilvance method, which mean NIV is translated idea by idea and KJV is translated by word by word, hence, KJV should be more reliable
These verses proved this Psalm 12: 6
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times. (NIV version)6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (KJV version)
This clearly proved that God words are flawless, why translate idea by idea, not words by words
Mat 5: 18
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (KJV )
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (NIV)
This means that every word in the bible stands, not one should be omitted
In addition, many verses are missing in NIV as compared to KJV, amounting to a whole 90,000 words lost
hence, i strongly advise you to read the reformation bible -Authorized KJV
Sorry I will improve on that. Wont use so many different translation nextime.
Originally posted by popikachu:Woa, sorry side track abit...
I didn't know this thing about NIV until now...
but still, i am pretty poor in english, i can't understand KJV at times...
any other version that you all can recommend? NKJV?
actually i had the feeling before, KJV is so hard to understand, it is so "chim", but after reading for a while, i started to apperciate the beauty of KJV which now, to me, is much more easiler to understand
Some tips
Glad that I can still see peaceful chats at this forum...
Because at times I really need some guide...
ok I will try the KJV version...
btw, anyone blackberry user here? I am quite attach to me blackberry, anyone has downloaded and application for bible?
I know flipping the paper pages are better, but at times when I am bored I like to take my blackberry out... But I rather read my bible then to play games...
I am currently using YouVersion, but I need to be online to read it... I wanted an offline application...
woa woa now now i see big differences in kjv and niv...
god create the firmament and called it heaven in kjv, and in niv they said god called it sky...
Originally posted by popikachu:Glad that I can still see peaceful chats at this forum...
Because at times I really need some guide...
ok I will try the KJV version...
btw, anyone blackberry user here? I am quite attach to me blackberry, anyone has downloaded and application for bible?
I know flipping the paper pages are better, but at times when I am bored I like to take my blackberry out... But I rather read my bible then to play games...
I am currently using YouVersion, but I need to be online to read it... I wanted an offline application...
google KJV go bible, it the best, no need online usage
Originally posted by popikachu:woa woa now now i see big differences in kjv and niv...
god create the firmament and called it heaven in kjv, and in niv they said god called it sky...
yes, this is one of the problem for contemporary translation, misuse of terms. But i did'nt say NIV cannot be used, it can be seeked as the translator view of the KJV, hence, it can be so called a "study note" to the KJV text.
I agree with you SBS n SMRT. I never know about NIV at all.... I too agree KJV is little harder to understand if you read the bible on your own strength...
But I always ask for the help of the holy spirit to understand the words properly.... I read the verses with the help of the spirit of god.... I got always wonderful results in reading Bible...
No matter from which translation you are reading, keep in mind that you should ask god for the wisdom to understand his very words...
Coming to the point, GAMBLING is a SIN