Dear Editor,
Reference is made to a letter captioned “The Bible does not ban gambling” (07.01.16) by M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett.
The Bible, with the arrival of the dispensation of grace and truth, not only bans but is irreconcilably hostile to gambling.
The dictionary describes gambling as playing games of chance for money etc. such as the example given by M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett of lots which were cast to find a replacement for Judas Escariot. This resulted in the misguided choice of Mathias. However, Mathias’ failure as the disciple of Christ was outmatched by the success of Paul, the Apostle who was chosen with the wisdom of the indwelling spirit of an omnipotent omnipresent, omniscient God at Antioch.
Gambling is also described as the staking or risking of money in the hope of great gain which, with the exception of slot machines or “one arm bandits”, is usually the main activity of Casino Gambling. This is in diametric opposition to the truth that the love of money is the root of all evil (1Timothy 6:10). An evil which nourishes the spirit of covetousness described by God as an abomination in His sight (Luke 16:14,15).
The question may now arise as to why God approved the casting of lots by Joshua as mentioned by M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett to divide the land among the Israelites. The answer to this question is that Joshua’s casting of lots took place during an epoch when wisdom to obey the truth of the Lordship of God was lost, as a result of Adam and Eve being deceived to stake or gamble their hopes on corrupted wisdom (James 3:13-17), which exalted itself against the knowledge of God, in another aspect of gambling (Genesis 3:1-6).
With Jesus having provided through crucifixion for the glorification of Himself in man (1Corinthians 6:19, 20), through the exercise of wisdom (1Corinthians 2:7, 8), He commanded that a clear choice must be made between love and service to Him through His church and love and service to the covetousness of mammon which is associated with casino gambling (Luke
16:13-15).
Yours faithfully,
R. Warren
Minister of the Gospel