"Move over lotteries, there's a new kid in town". Ontario, Canada is on its way to become the Las Vegas of the North. Ontario's first casino was at Windsor, next was Orillia, and opening very soon will be yet another at Niagara Falls. Now instead of flying off to some luxurious hotel in a city full of flashing lights and one-armed bandits, Ontarians (and our neighbors to the South) can drive a few miles and engage in whatever elements of gaming that these places provides. My concern is that some who profess to be Christians may think that a visit to one of these establishments will not hurt them, and they may even reason that a few coins in a slot machine couldn't possibly do any harm. Is that the case, or is there much more at stake here than just a few coins or a few dollars?
Gambling involves risk. In order for someone to win, someone else has to lose. It involves taking a risk with a very slim chance of winning. It is addictive because each one is persuaded that their very next hand or throw of the dice may be the big winner. Throw in a little gain, and the enticement increases. People reason that they have gained more than they originally spent, so why not risk it on another wager. Each one who gambles does so believing (hoping) that they will hit the grand jackpot. They often do, but it comes in a different form or shape that what they expected, it comes in the form of broken homes, unpaid bills, and an addiction to gambling that will see them waste their entire paycheck and then go out and borrow even more for yet another try. As a result their whole life begins to revolve around the spinning roulette wheel, or the shuffle of the cards, or shaking of the dice.
Usually when people think of gambling, they think of places like Las Vegas, Nevada. That innocent appearing Bingo game, the corner store lotteries, those Nevada tickets, those office pools are all forms of gambling. Pass any Bingo hall on a night when the action is underway and you will see how people can be caught up in the frenzy.
God's word, the Bible, is our sole guide in matters of what is right or acceptable before God. Through studying it, we have determined that there are several legitimate ways by which one might increase their personal worth.
Perhaps the most noticeable scene of gambling is the one which takes place at the foot of the cross. In John 19:23-24, we find that the soldiers had divided his clothing into four parts and in turn "to each gave a part". But, since the tunic was without seam, they decided to "cast lots for it". The winner would take all, and the losers would go without it. A simple account, but one that identifies the true nature of gambling.