By Joe Sturz
Christian Action League
August 3, 2018
Many people claim bingo, poker, rolling dice, slot machines, lotteries, etc., are just innocent forms of entertainment if not carried too far. Many groups use gambling for fund raisers, including churches.
The attraction & excitement that gambling thrives on is greed & covetousness – of getting something for nothing.
The dangers and risks inherent with gambling are:
- trusting in luck & chance & not in God (Isaiah 65:11)
- God’s anger at the sinful emotion of coveting that is stirred up (Exodus 20:17)
- idolatry that comes to dominate a person’s life & takes away our love for God (Colossians 3:5; I Timothy 6:10)
- loosing a very powerful emotion that once stirred up is very hard to control (Ezekiel 31:31; Habakkuk 2:9 I Timothy 6:10)
- addiction to the risk-taking excitement gambling stirs up (Galatians 4:8-9)
- wasting & losing money on getting something for nothing instead of working & saving to get ahead in life
- bringing trouble to our home (Proverbs 15:27).
There are only two legitimate ways of obtaining money:
- earning it by work (Exodus 20:9; Ephesians 4:28; II Thessalonians 3:10-14)
- receiving a gift such as an inheritance (Luke 11:13)
Money gained by gambling is not earned nor is it a gift, therefore it is not legitimate.
Prayer: “God the Father in Heaven, please forgive me for my greedy discontent & impatience in wanting to gamble to get rich quick. Empower me by thy Holy Spirit to have the motivation to be content to work hard so I can be a good steward. Use me to save & take care of my family & tithe at church. All these things I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
After praying read, (John 16:23).
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Joe Sturz serves on the Board of Directors of the Raleigh-based Christian Action League of North Carolina. He has also been designated as the League’s Chaplain.
Joe is currently the CEO of Sturz Christian Counseling and a widower originally from San Diego, California.
His late wife of 42 years, Rachel Steinbeck Sturz, was a well-known Christian activist in North Carolina. Together Joe and Rachel had three children, a son, Justin, and two beautiful daughters, Arielle, and Jensina. Between the three he is blessed with eight grandchildren.
Joe lives in Greenville, N.C.