THE EDITOR, Sir:
CHRISTIAN GREETINGS. It is with great trepidation that I write this letter, asking the question 'What principle of the Bible shows it wrong to gamble?' I have seen many letters by Christian commentators saying that the practice of gambling is to be shunned. In fact, I understand that leaders of the religious community have pressured the Government in the past against casino gambling and lotteries, in particular. Which Bible verse was quoted to justify this?
A brief analysis shows the following:
1. God is not against the taking of risk.
a) Men and women took great risk, sometimes to death's door, in their lives, e.g. Esther, the three Hebrew boys etc.
b) When God created this world he ran the risk of man sinning and hence for the Son of God to come and die for men's sins.
c) The Son of God in coming down to earth risking his life for fallen mankind took one of the greatest gambles (If he had sinned, he would have lost his life the Father is no respecter of persons.)
2. God is not against the casting of lots i.e. raffling. (See Acts 1:26).
3. God won one of the most famous bets of all time when he bet Satan that Job would remain faithful to him. (Read the book of Job)!
A word of warning and advice: Sinners would be wise to repent and avoid the risk of God's wrath!
My questions are: Is it evil or covetous to expect high returns from high-risk investments? Isn't it evil and covetous for Christians to charge their fellow Christians interest on loans? (see Lev 25:35-37). Isn't it evil and covetous to underpay your helpers, gardeners, practical nurses, pump attendants, etc.? (see James 5:1-4)
HIGHEST RISK
A prudent banker would teach us that we should act in a way to minimise our risk so that one would obviously tend to invest the least funds in the portfolio of highest risk. Thus one would first seek to invest in education to gain employment, after which surplus funds can be invested in a bank account, then insurance, then stock exchange, then finally in, say, a lottery ticket.
I end by making an appeal. Those who are in disagreement with this letter why not write the Editor sending me a copy stating the Bible principles against gambling? For this I would truly be grateful. In the meantime, let's allow the Government to do their job as best as possible, uniting with their efforts to help the poor and oppressed.
I am, etc.,
KEITH COOMBS
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