Gambling

Gambling and the Risky World of Entertainment

Statistics in America

In 2003, legalized gambling was a $78 Billion industry in the USA

Legal Bookmaking--------------$116.3-----million
Card Rooms--------------------$1.05------billion
Charitable Games and Bingo----$1.9-------billion
Pari-mutuel Wagering----------$3.695-----billion
Indian Casinos------------------$19.40-----billion
Lotteries-----------------------$21.4------billion
Commercial Casinos------------$30.59-----billion

In 2004, casinos made a $29 Billion profit

Definition

Gambling is any activity, motivated by a sinful attitude or desire, which involves risking something of value for the chance of acquiring something of greater value.

Open Forum:
Crossing the Street
Raffles for a Charitable Cause
Seeing a Movie
Betting on races/sports
Being a Farmer
Office Pools
Buying Insurance
Lottery Tickets
Using the Stock Market
Poker/Card Games
Raffles for a Prize
Slot Machines and the like

Gambling in the Bible

The Bible does not directly address the issue of gambling
‘Casting Lots’ in Scripture is quite different from gambling
--It was used to make decisions and/or discern God's will
--It has been unnecessary since Pentecost

Biblical Principles to Keep you from Gambling

Beware of the Following Diseases

1. Thrill-Itus An unhealthy love for danger
2. Pride-Osis An unhealthy view of possessions
3. Comfort-Itus An unhealthy desire for ease
4. Next-Osis An unhealthy dependence on entertainment
5. Fortune-Itus An unhealthy love for money
6. Now-Osis An unhealthy need for instant gratification

So why does the Wesleyan Church teach complete abstinence?
1. Abstaining shows that we protest the social effects of gambling
2. Abstaining provides a clear line
3. Abstaining shows that we know how to submit to authority
4. Abstaining allows us to model what we want our kids to practice
5. Abstaining allows us to use our money for better purposes

Other Areas of Entertainment

Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me— but I will not be mastered by anything.

***Discuss these issues one at a time in regards to their proper use and then their improper/excessive use
Joking
Reading
Eating
Shopping
Sports/Exercise
Board Games
Card Games
Video Games
Television
Movies
Music
Internet

So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.