It's Only a Buck

In the early eighties an unusual piece of modern art was on display in the United States.  It consisted of a shotgun affixed to a chair.  The shotgun was viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel.  The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next one hundred years.   Whoever sat down knew that the gun could fire at point-blank range at any second, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn’t occur during their minute in the chair.  You probably think that not many people sat in the chair...right?  Sorry, they waited in line to stare death in the face!--further proof that Alexis de Tocqueville was correct when he wrote that Americans “end by liking all undertakings in which chance plays a part.”  This country’s passion for gambling with money is no exception.

Gambling is not new in our society.  The Revolutionary War, the Washington  Monument, and the District of Columbia were funded or built with the aid of lotteries.  Before 1860, 24 of 36 states sponsored lotteries.  However, through the resistance of several anti-lottery groups, including many mainline denominations, the lotteries were eventually constitutionally prohibited in 34 states by 1900.  Although Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, it was not until 1964 that New Hampshireestablished a state lottery. Today a person can make a wager of some sort in every state except Hawaii and Utah.

Gambling is pervasive in our society.  The amount of money spent on legal gambling is in the hundreds of billions.  Eighty-five percent of all gambling takes place in casinos.   In addition to casinos, there are Indian reservations, state lotteries, pari-mutuels, bookmakers, card rooms, church bingo halls, on-line betting sites, video poker machines, cable TV gaming stations, and the obligatory office sports pools.  More people go to casinos than to major league baseball games, football games, symphony concerts, and Broadway shows combined.

Gambling is accepted in our society.  According to one poll, the vast majority of Americans condone casino gambling, though only 33 percent would step inside one.  Christians are not immune from the dream of making it rich. In one large evangelical congregation, nearly 20 percent of the respondents had participated in some form of gambling in the past six months.  Gambling and gamblers are not cloistered on the bad side of town anymore.  Your next door neighbors could be social gamblers, investing a substantial portion of their income at the local convenience mart, gas station, or on their personal computer.

Gambling takes a tremendous toll on the economy.  Though pro-gamblers brag that tax revenues from gaming are in the billions, others argue that taxpayers spend three dollars for every dollar gained in order to pay for everything from extra police expenses to rehabilitating pathological gamblers.  While casinos do provide an immediate influx of jobs from restaurants and other small businesses, there is evidence to suggest that communities with casinos do not exceed the average four percent growth rate of the nation.   Lower income households are especially vulnerable to the lure of striking it rich.  A New Jersey study suggests that families with an income under $10,000 spend a larger portion of their wages on lotteries than any other income bracket. This form of economic immorality which promises “The shortest route to Easy Street” is really a regressive form of taxation on the poor.

Gambling contributes to the destruction of families.  Many are torn apart by financial loss, neglect, and abuse.  Hidden gambling losses foster an environment of secrecy, distrust, and frustration.  Twenty percent of spousal abuse cases involve tension resulting from compulsive gambling.   The spouse of the male pathological gambler is five times more likely to commit suicide; she is eight times more likely to have a stress-related physical illness; her children are more apt to have alcohol, drug, gambling, or eating disorder problems.

Gambling corrupts the lives of individuals.  In a survey of Gambler’s Anonymous in Illinois, 26 percent said they had divorced or separated because of gambling; 34 percent had lost or quit a job; 44 percent had stolen from work; 21 percent had filed for bankruptcy; 18 percent had been arrested; 66 percent had contemplated suicide, and 16 percent had attempted suicide.

Gambling ruins the community through an increase in embezzlement, theft, bad checks, tax evasion, bribery, prostitution, and a host of other criminal behaviors.  Cities with casinos show an increase in crime rates.  A survey of Gamblers Anonymous found that 47 percent had engaged in insurance fraud.   The cost to the criminal justice system to prosecute all of these cases and then incarcerate those found guilty takes its toll in taxes on the citizenry.  In the work force, gambling results in lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and theft.  One study even found that chronic gamblers are more apt to cause traffic accidents due to high speed traveling to a gambling event or falling asleep at the wheel after hours of play.

Gambling erodes the moral and spiritual character of society.   It encourages a reliance on luck.  The truth is you are far more likely to die in a plane crash than to win a state lottery.  Government sponsored lotteries direct people’s attention away from honest labor and into a fantasy world.   In other words, government is actually undermining traditional social tenets of society by weakening the work ethic.   Gambling also encourages instant gratification instead of rigorous self-denial (Pr. 13:11; 28:20).

This spirit of profligacy has produced a materialistic mind-set that knows nothing of sacrifice.  Norman Geisler sums it up well when he says gambling is psychologically addicting, professionally degrading, socially corrupting, economically fruitless, politically irresponsible, intellectually irrational, and morally bankrupt.

The practice of gambling is in stark contrast to God’s revelation on how we should live our lives.  First, God’s Word says explicitly that we should not steal (“You shall not steal” Ex. 20:15) or covet (“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is your neighbor’s” Ex. 20:17).  The gambler takes the wealth of other individuals without offering any compensation; that is stealing.  The fact that the citizens of this country are willing to throw away billions for a chance to move up to “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” indicates that we have a serious problem with covetousness.

Second, the poor should not be oppressed (“The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for you have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses” Is. 3:14).  Think about the neighborhoods where you see the most advertising for lottery tickets.  In Chicago, a billboard over one low income housing section pictured a lottery ticket and reads, “This is your ticket out!”  Though individual responsibility is a factor here, such manipulation is wrong and results in God’s judgment (Am. 4:1, 2).  No one has the right to enjoy what can be obtained only at the cost of another’s freedom or happiness.

Third, we are to be good stewards of our resources (“It is required among stewards that a man be found faithful” I Cor. 4:2).  Though it may not be a life-shattering sin to buy a lottery ticket a few times a year, one must seriously ponder the use of what is rightly owned by God.  We do not give to God a portion of our check and then keep the rest for ourselves; it is all His.  Is gambling a form of stewardship that can bring glory to God?

Fourth, we are to rely on the Lord for our daily provision (“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” Psalm 145:16).  The Christian realizes that God ordains for us a specific lot in life, and that He will abundantly provide for our needs according to His will.  Our faith in a set of numbers should not replace our faith in God.

Fifth, we are to work for our daily necessities (“Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it” Pr. 13:11).  Part of God’s allotment in life is that we labor hard.  Money obtained by insubstantial means does not produce the quality of character which is fostered when money is earned by the sweat of the brow.

Sixth, we are to be content (“Having food and raiment let us be content” I Tim. 6:8).  There lives within each one of us a monster breathing, “More.”  The Christian must refuse to be subjected by the prevailing attitude in American culture that demands for every desire to be fulfilled yesterday.  Can you buy a lottery ticket without seriously desiring a radical change in your situation?  Such a purchase may really be your heart saying, “God, I’m not very happy with these circumstances.  I hope I win so that I can make them better.”   Our choices are loud statements about who we are and what we believe.  Your refusal to purchase a lottery ticket, and an accompanying explanation to a neighbor at an opportune moment, may say a great deal about your faith and motives.

Seventh, we cannot serve God and money (“No man can serve two masters....You cannot serve God and money” Mt. 6:24).   The believer must choose to live in accordance with the principles that govern the kingdom off God.  That may mean saying “no” to potential monetary gain in this temporal existence for God’s glory.  The lottery pay-off and other profits that may be had by gambling lose their glitter when one ponders eternity.

When one considers the destruction that is wrought by gambling, it seems inconceivable that a culture would whole-heartedly embrace such a practice.  But it is happening in our country and around the world.  Thinking people rationalize their sin as entertainment, a strange form of investment, or just following an accepted norm.

Though gambling may not be an issue you face on a daily basis, it is certainly one which affects your neighborhood, your state, and your country.  Though you may have totally ignored the issue until now, it is time to put your knowledge to work and actively campaign for that which is right.

Of course, the ultimate solution to this problem will not be political or social reform.  The darkened hearts of men need to be enlightened by truth and regenerated.  May God use you to be an example and a testimony of the priorities of His kingdom.  Don’t take a seat in front of the shotgun.

Comments

[Scott M]

I'll have to admit that I have from time to time dropped a quarter or two into a slot machine or purchased the occasional lotto ticket. I suppose I fall into the category of the thinking person who rationalizes his "sin" by comparing it to other more accepted forms of entertainment. The allure for me is not really games of chance like the lottery, but games of skill such as poker. Where do you see poker in all of this? It is the fastest growing "sport" in the nation. People play it in their living rooms, watch it on TV, read about it, talk about it. It's a cultural phenomenon that is becoming more and more embraced and celebrated. Certainly there is an element of chance involved in poker, and so it seems to qualify as gambling. Yet, Texas Hold-Em, referred to by some as the "chess" of poker, is at least equally a game of skill. To play it well requires a good grasp of mathematics, psychology and strategy. A skilled poker player will beat a lucky poker player every time. So skill negates the element of chance.

Poker has undergone a pretty big facelift in recent years, going from the smoky back-room of Las Vegas casinos to the lime light of ESPN. Yet, throughout American history, many of our leaders have enjoyed the game and used it to hone their intellects and develop the cool nerve to make tough decisions. Harry Truman is said to have engaged in a 12-hour poker game just prior to making the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.

I suppose part of me wants to go on and on defending poker, since I enjoy it. But I'd be interested to know the opinion of someone who isn't already caught up in the craze. Let me give you the usual scenario for the types of games I've been in. Eight or ten guys get together. Each throws $10 into a community pot. Everyone is given an equal number of chips. Play commences and continues until there is one winner. We play "tournament style" no-limit Texas Hold-em. At the end of the night, the top three players receive monetary "prizes". Third place gets his money back, 2nd doubles his money, 1st takes the rest. The rest of us go home empty-handed, except for the 3-4 hours of "fun and fellowship" we experienced. I'm tempted to list all of the reasons why I don't think playing poker for money is wrong. But instead, I'll ask a few questions...

Is winning money or a prize in a game of skill different than winning money in a game of chance?

How does spending $10 to play poker for a few hours differ from spending $10 to go to a movie for a few hours? How is it similar?

How is wagering money on a lottery ticket different than choosing to buy a 12-pack of Pepsi rather than Coke because Pepsi is running a sweepstakes where you can win a new car?

If you won the car, would that be profiting from all those other schmucks that bought Pepsi for the chance to win?

Is it within the realm of good stewardship to spend some money on entertainment? If so, how do we know how much is too much to spend?

Is gambling innately sinful, or does it become sinful when practiced irresponsibly or compulsively?

I don't pretend to have all the answers.... but I'm interested to know how everyone else feels about this topic. Gambling in general and poker in particular have always seemed to be more of a gray area issue to me than a question of right and wrong. Gambling to excess certainly contributes to all the problems you describe, just as drunkenness leads to all kinds of problems. Yet, I have a hard time making a blanket statement that alcoholic drinks are innately sinful. I have the same difficulty making a blanket statement about games of chance. It seems to be more of an issue of responsible behavior vs. excessive or compulsive behavior. Eating a donut is not necessarily sinful (even though donuts are not much good for you). Eating a dozen might be. Eating donuts until you are obese and unhealthy is most assuredly sinful. The same logic seems to apply to gambling.

[another pew sop]

Deal...

[Jeremy]

I too play poker occassionally, and while I don't prefer to play for cash, I have and am not opposed to it. More on that in a minute...

Pastor, your comments about the ills of gambling cannot be argued. Many men (and women, though it seems to affect men more) have ruined their lives by gambling their income/savings/etc. It makes me wonder, though, is it the gambling that is the problem, or is it the heart of man? Your comments seem to imply that the intent of one who is gambling is to increase their finanical position. With that assumption in mind, I agree that gambling would be unwise and foolish.

But, what if that mindset does not exist? As mentioned before, I have played poker for money. There are some acquaintenances I have who will not play unless money is on the line, and while I do not completely understand that mindset, they have created a compromise - instead of playing with cash buy-ins (where you can put money in as often as you like, no-limit), there is a $10-15 buy in when we start playing, and the winnings are spread out in a fashion similar to the way Scott suggested.

In that case, my mindset is that I'm paying $15 for some entertainment with some guys I might not otherwise know very well. To me, it's more enjoyable then going to a movie (unless another LOTR comes out). But the point is that I'm not approaching the poker game as my opportunity to increase my financial position. In my mind, when I play for $15, I spend that money and have no expectations of ever seeing it again.

Another key fact in my approach to the use of money in playing a game like poker is the use my allowance. I know the concept of an allowance for an adult may seem ridiculous, but it's a great way to keep two married adults accountable with finances. Each month, each spouse receives a fixed amount that the other spouse has absolutely no say in what the other will use it for. In my case, since my wife is not with me when I play, it would be inappropriate for me to use household funds for playing poker - so I use my allowance (it's not very much, so I couldn't play very often anyway!)

So, in conclusion, I believe that games of chance are not inherently evil, but it is our own sinful hearts which corrupt our actions. That being said, I think one's choice in participating in these events is a matter of priorities, with the contingency that one's heart is in the right place.

[Scott M]

Did anyone watch round 2 of the superstars of poker tournament last night on Fox Sports? That's good TV... I don't care who you are. :-)

[jon]

I was waiting for a couple more folks to chime in here before I commented. I am no legalist when it comes to this issue. Gambling implies playing with money that I cannot afford to lose. Playing a few slots, playing poker with the guys for throw away money, buying a lottery ticket every blue moon, or tossing your hat in the work sport's pool don't count in my book. What's the difference between throwing a few bucks into a video game and throwing a few bucks into a slot machine? I sure don't see one. Both can be addicting, and one has to guard against that.

Linda and I were on vacation in Detroit last year. We enjoyed playing the slots. We set a limit (I think $20 a piece) and had a ball. BTW, I think we about broke even, or a little better. However, I sure saw how it could become a habit.

At the end of the day, it is a Romans 14 issue. Let everyone be fully persuaded in their own mind. You probably don't want to break out the poker chips at a church party, or schedule a "mission's trip" to Vegas.

[Jeremy]

But what if the winner of the poker party donates the winnings to the Building Fund! :)

[jon]

Well, then it becomes a fund raiser and we're not into that!