Other Forms of Coveting

Although the Bible contains no direct laws concerning gambling, those who earnestly seek to follow God will see that the principle opposes God’s ways, just as much as stealing. When a person gambles, his entire approach is based on the way of get, which is contrary to God’s way of GIVE.

Gambling casinos appeal to the lusts of people who desire to “hit it big” and “get something for nothing.” They lust for riches, relying on luck rather than on God. Nowhere does God wish us “the best of luck.” If we obey His laws, we can expect Him to bless us. But disobedience brings curses. Luck is not even in the picture.

Lacking self-control, a great many people have become addicted to gambling, in many cases losing all their assets. Any activity that gives way to lust should be avoided. This includes all forms of gambling—horse and dog races, card games with stakes, lotteries, sweepstakes, any “get rich scheme” in which there is a risk of personal loss, and even office pools.

A close look at the various cities around the world where gambling casinos thrive reveals a host of problems. Invariably, prostitution, organized crime, homicides and drugs are rampant. These things are all based on lust and greed.

Some ask God to bless them in winning a lottery or sweepstakes, since they barely make ends meet and need help to get out of debt. So many fail to realize that God does not—and would never—bless anything that is contrary to His Law!

Throughout the Bible, examples can be found of God’s servants casting lots as a solemn appeal to Him to decide a doubtful matter according to His will. But God’s people should never cast lots for the purpose of gambling. This terribly cheapens and perverts God’s right use of lots.

It is God’s will that people learn to trust and look to Him, while following His ways and laws. This is how character is developed. If God were to “bless” His people with “jackpot winnings,” they would quickly amass too many material possessions, while probably losing the focus of developing His holy, righteous character—the Christian’s very purpose for being.

Many proverbs discuss the importance of employing diligence in all the affairs of this life. Certainly, a Christian is not expected to be a pauper (Matt. 6:33). But it is only through hard work and perseverance that the diligent person will grow his fortune.

What If…?

We ask the same question of the final commandment: what if the entire world kept the Tenth Commandment? With no more lust and covetousness, idolatry and adultery would greatly diminish. But this would be just the beginning. Lust-driven consumerism would disappear, and along with it, consumer debt and bankruptcy.

More people would drive affordable vehicles, instead of going into debt to buy something that appeals to lustful vanity and pride. In short, materialism and impulse buying would vanish, as would all credit card debt, which results.

The entire world will soon learn that only with the help of God’s Spirit can mankind successfully control lust and keep the Tenth (and every other) Commandment!

Theologians and Bible scholars find no end of ingenious ways to dismiss as obsolete the marvellous laws of God. While most ministers will admit that keeping the Ten Commandments is generally “a good idea,” they stress that they are not required in the New Testament for one to receive salvation. So there are other questions about the Law of God that must be answered before this volume is complete…

The Ultimate What If…?

Now we consider the greatest question of all: What if the whole world kept all the Ten Commandments? What if everyone obeyed Christ’s instruction to keep this entire law?

People would no longer idolize anything or anyone, because they would put God first in their lives. God’s name would no longer be misused or carelessly thrown around. Everyone would keep the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. Families would be happier because people would honor their physical parents and their spiritual Father. There would be no more hatred, killing or war. Husbands and wives would be faithful to each other, and there would be no more illegitimate births. There would be no more sexually transmitted diseases. There would be no more thefts, robberies or embezzlements. Slander, perjury, and gossip would be things of the past. People would not lust for anything that belongs to someone else.

In Matthew 24, Christ described conditions that would precede His Second Coming. Verse 12describes how “iniquity [Greek: lawlessness] shall abound” and the result would be that “the love of many shall wax cold.”

But the time is coming when the whole world will keep God’s Law—the Ten Commandments.