Q.  Is gambling scripturally wrong?

A.  Our society has gone crazy with games of chance. State lotteries, riverboat casinos, and gambling on Indian reservations are no doubt just the beginning. The Bible condemns those who forsake Yahweh and indulge in activities that are analogized to gambling.  Notice Isaiah 65:11:
       “But you are they that forsake Yahweh, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.”
       “That troop” is a reference to “Gad,” the Syrian mighty one of Fate or Fortune.  “That number” pertain to the one the Assyrians worshiped as Manu or Destiny.  His name denoted number and he numbered the fates of men.
       The roll of the dice does the same thing, as the number on each face determines the fate of the winner or loser.  Numbers in a lottery also decide the fate of a person’s fortune.  Those who participate virtually worship the game—taking from their very substance to buy a ticket or a chance to gamble, then watch the numbers in a daily or weekly rite that can only be called religious in intensity.
       In a play on words in verse 12 Yahweh says, “Therefore I will number you to the sword….”  The word “number” here is manithi, a play on the idol of destiny, Manu.  Manithi means destroy.  You could say the destiny of those who worship the mighty one of chance and destruction.
       Yahweh’s people are admonished to work and be responsible, not trust in chance.  Nothing in this world is free; somebody always pays the price.
       Paul warns not to be greedy of filthy lucre, 1Timothy 3:8.  The gambler is just that.  Wise King Solomon tells us: “Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase.” (Prov. 13:11)
       Other translations indicate that this refers to sudden wealth through gambling: “A sudden fortune will dwindle away, he grows rich who accumulates little by little,” Jerusalem Bible.  “Wealth from gambling quickly disappears: wealth from hard work grows,” (Taylor’s Living Bible).
       Gambling can well become a habit of avarice as well among those who really cannot afford to lose the money that should be spent for the necessities of life.  Winning the big bucks becomes an obsession.
       Some may even justify gambling by making promises of all the good they might do should they win.  In fact, they do little now to teach Yahweh’s truth with what Yahweh has already given them! Man should not always seek to take, but is expected to work and be responsible, doing what he can to contribute something of value to this world.  Even Adam in the perfect paradise was expected to dress and care for his environment.  This is the sense that Paul had in writing to the Ephesians: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.” (Eph. 4:28)
       Paul reveals that Yahweh will bless the works of our hands, which is Yahweh’s promise.  If we do Yahweh’s will, we will develop character and be responsible and mature, fit candidates to rule with Yahshua in the Kingdom.
       “For you know very well how to copy us; we did not loaf in your midst, we did not take free meals from anyone; no, toiling hard at our trade, we worked night and day, so as not to be a burden to any of you,” 2Thessalonians 3:7-8 (Moffatt).
       Being rich in this world should not be our goal.  Our utmost desire should be eternal life in the Kingdom.  If we are to enter into life, we need to busy ourselves with keeping the Commandments and growing in the stature and fullness of Yahshua the Messiah.
       Obedience to Yahweh’s way of life is not a gamble.  Everyone in the Kingdom will be a winner with riches and wealth our finite minds cannot even visualize.  His words are spirit and life.

 
                   
         
     
                   
               
                         
YAIYYAIYYAIY
Home | Newsletter | Literature | Sabbath Services | Links | Contact | Search

Copyright © 2007-2013 Yahweh's Assembly in Yahshua
All Rights Reserved