Gambling – A Losing Proposition

Ever buy scratch-off lottery tickets?  

Some people say gambling’s just entertainment, like fishing, seeing a movie, or going to a baseball game, but when you win at gambling, you do so at the expense of others. Gambling really boils down to self-gratification. It’s the thrill of believing you’ll hit the jackpot and not having to look at the people who lost. Some gamble hoping to pay off debt. Others do it, they say, to give more to the church. Others do it for fun, even buying scratch-offs for their kids at Christmas! The average millennial spends nearly $1,000 a year on lottery tickets. Some use their credit cards – taking on debt to finance their habit.

Our focus should be on good stewardship of the money we currently have, not on wild dreams of what we might win at gambling. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10) Be faithful with what you have and trust God to multiply your efforts, no matter how small, for His glory. Focus on laying up treasures in heaven, not on earth. Don’t buy the lie that gambling’s good for society. If you invest in a company that’s making advances in medical technology, you’re putting money into something of intrinsic value. Jobs are created, you get returns on your investment, and patients benefit from products the company creates. It’s a win-win situation. If you win in gambling, it’s a win-lose, and more often than not, it’s actually a lose-lose. 

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