Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Gambling!?!?!?!?!
While recently traveling through the state of Alabama, I heard on the radio an interesting piece of news concerning an upcoming football game between Alabama and Florida. The governor’s of each state had a friendly wager going on the outcome of the game. The Alabama governor said that if Florida won then he would send the Florida governor a box of barbeque steaks from a famous restaurant near the university. But if Alabama won then the Florida governor would send the Alabama governor a box of oranges. So a lady was saying that this was a form of gambling so the governor was wrong to do it. That got me to thinking: “What is wrong with gambling?” Sure we can go into the instances of those who get so addicted to gambling and end up wasting all their money and ruining their lives. But that is merely a practical reason not to gamble. As Christians we go to the Bible to find the basis for our beliefs. The Bible commands “Do not be greedy for easy gain”. Why do you find people in a casino? Do you think you would find anyone there who would say “Yep I’m here to see how much money I can waste”? I doubt it. Most go there in hopes that they can “strike it rich”. That is why gambling is wrong. So let’s go back to our situation we started out with. The two governors had a wager going. Were either of them hoping to make an easy gain? I don’t think so. When you are a governor I don’t think you care that much for a free box of oranges. Although I suppose with this economy the governors may be pretty bad off. So are the governors really gambling here? Or is this merely a publicity stunt? What do you think?
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I think you make some good points. I don't see anything wrong with what the governors were doing. I think is important thing about "gambling" is the motive, like you said. Obviously the motive here is not to gain.
ReplyDeleteTo me, even if you drop $20 in a poker game with friends (as long as your motive is not to get rich quick) how is that different than going out to dinner and blower $20. Now I don't want to come across as being pro-gambling because I'm not, but don't think that gambling in itself it, just (like almost anything else) the misuse of it.
Hope that came across like I wanted it to.
I would agree. And I understand what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda like drinking. It's not wrong so long as it's being done responsibly. It's not wrong to have a glass of wine or a beer now and again, but when it consumes your life, you live for it, and place it as more important than other (more important) things, it's wrong. Of course, the bible also has some strong words to say against drunkenness, but since we're discussing gambling here, and not drinking, per se, I won't do into them :D
ReplyDeleteSo ya, wordy comment, all to say, there's nothing inherently wrong with gambling. The problem is what you decide to do with it.
Well :D I'm glad you commented. I'm not sure I totally agree with you. Not sure. BUt it sure sounded good.:) I would definantly agree that anything can become wrong if taken to an excess.
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