Luck and Gambling
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:8).
by Tom Stewart
Preface
For the Christian, winning and losing have a different meaning than the world, when dealing with the reality of Jesus Christ. "7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:7-9). Because Christians are to separate themselves from the world by their conduct, i.e., "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2Corinthians 6:17), it is imperative that the Saints have an understanding of the meaning of such worldly concepts as luck and gambling, that go beyond a mere legalistic listing of things to be avoided, i.e., "Touch not; taste not; handle not" (Colossians 2:21). Instead, our heartfelt obedience in avoiding luck and gambling must be soundly founded upon a proper understanding of "What saith the Scripture?" (Romans 4:3).