“Gambling – a Bad Bet”
1Tim.6:6-16 Feb.18, 2007 Play
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An Attractive, Accepted Trap
○ gradual increase of gambling in Canada until
found everywhere
○ Provincial coffers now dependent on gambling
revenues ($12.7B gross)
○ Trillium Foundation good causes, bad source
Wrong on All Counts
○ greed - ‘get rich quick’, love of
money - plunge to ruin (1Tim 6:9f; Lk 12:15)
○ idolatry - not content, trusting that God
will provide our needs (Col 3:5; 1Tim 6:6,8,10; Php 4:11f,19)
○ covetousness (Ex 20;17; Lk 12:32ff)
○ stewardship - using poorly resources
entrusted (Mt 25:14-30)
○ sloth / work ethic: ‘something for nothing’
(Prov31; 2Thess 3:10; 1Tim 5:8)
○ not fleeing temptation (1Thess 5:22; 1Cor
6:18; 2Tim 2:22)
○ attacks love for neighbour: profit at
others’ expense (Mk 12:31)
○ exploitation of the poor, who spend more
proportionately than the wealthy (Prov 14:21; 14:31; 22:16; Is 3:14f;
Amos 5:11f; Zech 7:10a)
○ subverts the role of government (Rom 13:1-5)
Plunging Into Ruin
○ household expenditure $1,080 avg; problem
gamblers 21% of income
○ large number of addicts but little money for
treatment compared to promotion
○ costs in crime, welfare,
closing businesses
○ cost to families: divorce, abuse, children
hurt, suicide
○ disturbing increase in gambling among youth
Getting Help
○ EFC Gambling Toolkit: pray, become informed,
network, raise awareness
○ help problem gamblers: support groups,
Friends4Friends
○ be able to spot the signs of pathological
gambling