The Spirit of Gambling
Luck and gambling go together, because chance inhabits both. "The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites" (Isaiah 33:14). With the world, the uncertainty of ill or loss is mixed with the chance of benefit or advantage. "13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the LORD will, we shall live, and do this, or that" (James 4:13-15). Sadly, the spirit of gambling can be seen in all parts of human endeavor, because gambling is a fundamental violation of the Law of Love, which Jesus taught. "36 Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the First and Great Commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40). Since the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) mandates a supreme love for God and a love for our neighbour that is equal to the consideration that we ought to give to ourselves, then gambling violates the Law of Love because it only allows or enables the gain of one party at the expense of another. "We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil" (Proverbs 1:13). And, "for the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1Timothy 6:10). [For a fuller explanation of the Law of Love, read Charles G. Finney's "The Law of God, No.1" and "The Law of God, No. 2" of "The Oberlin Evangelist" - 1839.]
By far, it is more important that we seek the blessing of the LORD, than we seek by gambling and chance the luck of the world. "3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked... 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men... 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9 They set their mouth against the Heavens, and their tongue walketh through the Earth... 12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches... 16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 18 Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places: Thou castedst them down into destruction. 19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors... 23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. 24 Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalm 73: 3, 5, 7-9, 12, 16-19, 23-24).
Back to Luck and Gambling