Gambling

[Sephania]

You as a Messianic Believer, how do you view gambling, such as Las vegas stuff, or bingo, or buying Lotto tickets or ministries that sell 'chances' to raise money for the ministry or building?

[MattyJames]

You as a Messianic Believer, how do you view gambling, such as Las vegas stuff, or bingo, or buying Lotto tickets or ministries that sell 'chances' to raise money for the ministry or building?

dont' agree with it.

Matt James

[Splayd]

As a recovering addict, I consider it a dangerous activity, but that's a personal observation only.

Torah doesn't acknowledge it specifically, though there are plenty of premises and principals throughout scripture that apply when considering something like gambling. Like many things it ultimately comes down to our approach to it.

We are called to be good stewards. We aren't to put a stumbling block before others. We aren't to serve other gods and we aren't to test the L-rd. While I'm not conviced we can or should make blanket statements regarding extra-scriptural issues like gambling, we should recognise that for some of us, our approach to gambling goes against these commandments and more. There is the sin in this matter - in the personal application which can and may vary from person to person and situation to situation.

The thing that I find hardest to escape when considering big organised gambling though, is that it basically depends on exploiting those for whom gambling is an issue.

[Sephania]

Hi Splayd, thank you for your answer, I am wondering though, are you Messianic? Because I am looking for answers from Messianics, those who follow the torah of the whole bible.

I do believe that we are responsible for what we are given and I don't believe we should lose it frivolously or think to make easy money and not rely on G-d to provide for our daily needs. But that is just me, I would like to hear from others.

:)

[Splayd]

Hmmm.... I get frustrated with labels, so I don't have a scroll icon.
But yes - my beliefs are more closely aligned with those in this subforum than any other here.

[visionary]

Splayd gave the kind of answer I would. There is nothing specific that comes to my mind regarding the subject, but the very lifestyle that is biblically kosher, restrains such activity by its very nature.

[christinepro]

gambling sucks! I went to Vegas once and got sick of it. I am always tempted to buy a lottery ticket when it gets up to 14 million though but I'm too cheap.

[CovenantRay]

Shalom:

Although gambling may not be prohibited in scripture, it does not fit with the nature of G-d or the concept of wisdom.

The only One we are to follow against all odds and opposition is Him.

CovenantRay :prayer:

[HadassahSukkot]

...dreidel, dreidel, dreidel... i made it out of clay... and when i spin my dreidel, a'dreidel I will play...

When we play "dreidel" - we gamble...

While I do not see it prohibited in scripture, anything that CAN be addictive, should only be done in much moderation.

Whether eating, drinking, watching, listening, doing or playing.

For me, I must set a limit or I will spend all day doing something "gamble like"..

There is a coin machine thing with lots of quarters in it, that slides back and forth, that you drop a quarter into.

My sister, mom and I played this after a trip recently to Atlanta. We put in probably 10$ worth, and got exactly the same back, because we each played an equal amount of time... and had equal "chances".

It was fun, and we weren't doing it to make millions..

I don't play the lottery because it is illegal in my state (even to get out of state lotto tickets); but also because I'd probably buy one once a month all my life if I started now... and never make anything back.

Now, if it were as it was in Spain about the lotto - that the people being helped by it were the poor that were handicapped and couldn't otherwise provide for their families; I'd buy the lotto knowing I did some good giving to the poor in a legal manner that the government supports.

But since it is all about greed here in the USA, forget it.

I have enough problems with gasoline costs to worry about where my money is going in a gambling scene.

However, dreidel is awesome for winning chocolate ;)

[plum]

Now, if it were as it was in Spain about the lotto - that the people being helped by it were the poor that were handicapped and couldn't otherwise provide for their families; I'd buy the lotto knowing I did some good giving to the poor in a legal manner that the government supports.


Just want to say that the money spent on lotto tickets in MI goes to schools... at least I'm pretty sure it does. But I think the concept of the lotto itself centers on greed and covetousness.


Gambling--like Vegas gambling or horses or the lotto, not necessarily a poker game with friends-- bothers me. It bothers my spirit. I see spirits of greed, irresponsibility, distrust in G-d, covetousness, sloth, and idleness all surrounding the culture of gambling.

Of course the words "thou shalt not gamble" are not in the Scriptures... but the attitudes that lead to gambling and love of money are explicitly spoken of and should not be ignored.

[Sephania]

What comes to mind to me is where Yeshua gives the parable of the servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. I believe all that we have comes from G-d. Now some may say, "But I have a job and I earn the money", but I believe it is G-d who gives the job, and G-d who enables us to get up in the morning and be able to go to that job, we are to be thankful to him for all things, for every good thing comes from above. :bow:


Found this on a little search around the net, regarding gambling and Torah:

Judaism has always frowned on gambling. In fact, a person who is a known gambler is disqualified from being considered a witness.


That really makes one stop and think, if one who gambles cannot be a witness for a human, how much more so one who is to be the witness of the one living in him?

[MattyJames]

What comes to mind to me is where Yeshua gives the parable of the servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. I believe all that we have comes from G-d. Now some may say, "But I have a job and I earn the money", but I believe it is G-d who gives the job, and G-d who enables us to get up in the morning and be able to go to that job, we are to be thankful to him for all things, for every good thing comes from above. :bow:


Found this on a little search around the net, regarding gambling and Torah:



That really makes one stop and think, if one who gambles cannot be a witness for a human, how much more so one who is to be the witness of the one living in him?

Yes, interesting thoughts.

But Gambling is such a broard subject. It wasn't untill I got thinking about it that I was struck by the many 'forms' of Gambling.

We all gamble to an extent. Whether infered or not, gambleing is an everyday thing for some of us. Gambling can be calculated, to a higher or lesser degree, as I have seen in business. I invest a certian amount in a new machine, will I get a return? Say I invest into a new truck and Backhoe, there is still an element of risk involved. The market may crash, fuel may be restricted, or just simply keep riseing in cost. :doh:

Now the above of course is a rather 'over the top' example, but it does begin to make me think.

Just some thoughts.

regards,

Matt James

[HadassahSukkot]

buying and selling can also be considered "Gambling".

Did I get a good deal? Is the price lower or higher at the other store? It is an investment of sorts.

Then you have banking, 401K, Insurance, stock market, money market...

Work technically can be the same... depending where you work and what you do..

Going and coming certain times of the day (Driving or letting someone else do the driving)...

Life.. is a gamble.. so to speak..

[Sephania]

I think the question though, was on

Casinos
Lotteries
Bingo
and
Chances

This is where you aren't going to get anything for you money, save a piece of paper. But some go to extremes and use their last dime in 'hopes' of winning more, or getting out of debt, etc.

I think that makes that person 'god' Satan as they are taking a chance. And pinning their faith in 'Luck' aka Lucifer, rather than trusting G-d for their daily bread and any thing else that you have a true need for.

Just M2S

[Sephania]

Oh, and as far as playing dreidel, from my understanding of this tradition, it was an appearence of gambling which was acceptable to meet in the streets to do, that is being re-enacted. They were actually meeting to study Torah, something illegal, and covering whenever an official/ soldier came by with something not illegal but should have been.

[jgonz]

I like Splayd's answer. I think gambling is a personal issue. If you have a problem with it, then don't.

That being said, I have Zero desire to ever visit Vegas. lol

[plum]

like most actions.. it matters where the heart is.