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() http://dianedew.com/gambling.htm
. Get-rich-quick schemes are a hoax.
A. They bring poverty, not wealth.
Prov 28:22 (cp. Prov 22:16)
"He that hastens to be rich hath
an evil eye, and considers not
that poverty shall come upon him."
B. The divinely established means of "getting ahead" is by work.
Gen 2:15; 3:19
Exo 20:9
2 Thes 3:10, 11
Eph 4:28
Prov 6:6; 12:11; 20:4
II. The greed (covetousness) that motivates individuals to gamble is sin.
Ex 20:17
Prov 11:28; 15:16; 23:4-5
Gal 5:21
Eph 5:3-5
Phil 4:11-13
Col 3:5
1 Tim 6:6-11, 17-19
III. Gambling is destructive.
A. Spiritually. It affects our walk with God.
1. It indicates a lack of trust in God's ability to provide.
Mat 6:25-34
Luke 12:15
Heb 13:5
1 Tim 6:6-9
2. True riches are spiritual and eternal.
Phil 4:19 "riches in glory in Christ"
Jas 2:5 "rich in faith"
1 Tim 6:18 "rich in good deeds"
Eph 2:4 "rich in mercy"
3. We should look to God as our Source of supply:
Phil 4:19
Eph 3:20
4. Gambling expressly denies God's sovereignty and care.
Mat 10:30
Prov 3:5-6)
5. A form of covetousness, gambling violates the tenth commandment.
Exo 20:17
6. Christians are called to a walk of holiness (separation from the world).
Eph 5:3
1 Thes 5:22
7. Gambling destroys contentment.
I Tim. 6:6, 10
Col. 3:2
Jn 6:27
Matt. 16:26
B. Societally. Gambling destroys families and communities.
1. Gambling robs money from the family, for which parents have a responsibility to provide.
2 Cor 12:14
2 Thes 3:12
1 Tim 5:9
Prov 15:27
2. Gambling distorts our love for our neighbor, exploiting the most vulnerable members of society: the poor.
Phil 2:3-4
Zech 7:9-10
3. Gambling is a bad example to others.
1 Corin 10:31-33
4. Gambling encourages stealing, which increases court costs; stresses out marital relationships by burdening finances ("He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house..." Prov 15:27); and forces reliance upon public assistance, bankruptcy, etc.
C. Personally. Gambling is self-destructive.
1. Gambling destroys our work ethic.
Gen 2:15; 3:19
Exo 20:9
2 Thes 3:10, 11
Eph 4:28
Prov 6:6; 12:11; 20:4
2. Gambling is rooted in greed, the love and craving for money, which is "the root of all evil."
Mat 6:31
1 Tim 6:10
3. Gambling is addicting. God wants us to be free!
Rom 8:21
2 Corin 3:17
Gal 5:1, 13
1 Pet 2:16
2 Pet 2:19
Robert
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