Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | janie | 16171 | ||
Where in the Bible can I find that it is a sin to play the lottery, football boards, etc. | ||||||
2 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | Jensen | 16669 | ||
You can not find it because it is not there. Many will talk of stewardship or how it is not your money after all. I agree with those positions. Gambling as a form of entertainment, they will claim, is missing the mark. So ask this. "What forms of entertainment am I allowed to buy with HIS money. May I use HIS money to go to a show or a ball game with my children? My I use HIS money for any form of entertainment at all?" Some would say no. They are part of a particular denomination of Christianity perhaps. They are the same as those who would have us not drink wine,such as our Lord did, with a meal.(There are many churches that use grape juice for wine even though the Bible is very, very clear on what constitutes the elements. And please don't let them tell you that the wine of HIS day was weaker-it was not as weak as their argument is.) If you are not being entertained by gambling then you may be doing it for any of several "wrong" reasons, and then there is plenty in Scripture to rely on. But for entertainment purposes - it's HIS money (and representing your effort)and HE really does want you to enjoy your life. | ||||||
3 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 16674 | ||
Dear Jim, "The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." John 10:10 ASV 1901. Friend, I believe this is your Scripture reference. Indeed, Jesus came to give us abundant life. Please note that this was not a promise to each individual, as each individual wills. We do have a responsibility to those around us, to be an example. My point is, if we say, " I am immune to greed, the lust for mammon, gambling is merely entertainment, I am amused," then are we 'free' to pursue whatever we enjoy? It would be nice if we could do what we liked without influencing children or individuals with 'areas of weakness,' but such is not the case. I find that in our walk with the Lord Jesus, we 'sacrifice' certain freedoms for the sake of His flock. Please tell me if I am misinterpreting your stance on this issue. In Jesus' name, charis |
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4 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | Jensen | 16688 | ||
Dear charis Thank you for weighing in on my response to Janie. It is correct that we have a responsibility to others but you seem to be saying that any form of a-muse-ment (not thinking activity) is somehow always a "area of weakness" and with that, if that is what you suggest, I disagree. And if that is not what you suggest then disregard the rest of this note. But if you are choosing "gambling" as an area of weakness then just as the fat man said as he crawled under the barbed wire fence, "Just a couple points and I'll be through." Reading C.S. Lewis's science fiction books is a form of amusement that I should not pursue since my "children" will be influenced to flights of imagination. We do not want them to escape, even for a moment, the harsh realities of a cruel and death ridden world. However, you may accept that Lewis may be alright but dancing is not. Dancing arouses our base instincts and leads to sexual intamcy outside of marriage. And so that we are not tempted to dance we should never build a large room that would hold lots of dancers - especially those pesky square dancers. And to avoid the temptation of building a large room, that may lead to dancing, that may lead to sexual intamacy outside of marriage we should avoid living indoors altogether. That will surly keep us from sin. Differences of opinion on what may constitute an "area of weakness" is what brings about splits in His church. Concentrating on His Word, and not the opinions of what some Christians say are weaknesses, is paramount. I am certain that Janie knows that Jesus died for her sins. Did not the Apostles "gamble" when casting lots to see who would replace Judas. Or is that different because they asked God to give them a "winner." They were serious "gamblers", Janie came off as sounding like someone who wanted to know if a simple office pool on "How much will Sally's baby weigh at birth" is somehow "missing the mark." If I thought for one moment that Janie had a gambling "problem" I would not have answered the way I did. By the way charis, does your church use wine? In the Creator's service, Jim |
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5 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 16698 | ||
Dear Jim, Peace upon you, friend. My, we are a bit sensitive, today, aren't we. :-) The title of Janie's original question was about the lottery. Some think this is innoucuous fun, but many (most?) are dead serious about winning a bunch of bucks and retiring. I do think that this is not a good attitude for a Christian, and a bad example for our children and peers. Thus my answer. Sorry if you felt I was butting in, but this is a forum... It seems that you think I am being legalistic or of the 'holiness' bent. I assure you this is not the case. I simply believe that we are to be aware of the image we portray, and not be ignorant of how others see us. We, as Christians, are exhorted to 'keep our behavior excellent among the Gentiles,' (1 Peter 2:12) and 'prove ourselves to be examples.' (1 Peter 5:3) I believe that these require a certain amount of responsibility. Please, do not throw away Lewis' Trilogy on my account! :-) Of course there is a balance. Same for all of your (sometimes outlandish!) examples. Please, in no way did I ever question Janie's salvation! Also, don't degrade yourself by becoming flippant about God's choice of Matthias. If I read your last paragraph correctly, the pursuit of a (Holy Spirit) perfected Christian life will split the church. Are we to just allow 'to each his own' and then say 'we are one?' Good luck, you'll need it! :-) (you really ARE a gambler!) Jim, we use (lately) Tropicana 100-percent Grape Juice. We have used Welches and Kirin. Wine is expensive here (except rice wine), and I would really have a hard time choosing between Cabernet Sauvignon and Akadama Sweet Wine. BTW, is there a point to be made? As to the bread, we use a whole loaf of white bread. Trust me, Japanese bread beats 'Wonder' any day! We literally break it and spend some time sharing our portion with others. Any other questions? Blessings and peace to you. In Jesus' name, charis |
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6 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | Jensen | 16716 | ||
You make my point..Thanks 1.Janie didn't say that gambling was going to be a means of securing a retirement. 2.The image we portray can make easy or difficult the road that leads to a presentation of the Gospel. Janie sounds like a regular person. I heard the Gospel from a regular guy. I was not saved at a church picnic (oh sorry..there goes that sensetivity thing again :-)) 3."(Holy Spirit) perfected Christian life" -yes. The "perfect" Christian life would include winning souls to Christ which would not be a reason for a church split. A reason for a split may be for some Christians to suggest that they themselves are the standard of which the Scripture speaks. But those people I find usually are not "gifted" in bringing souls to Christ. That must sound a little mean, but I do not mean it to be so. I am somewhat passionate about not being a "stumbling block" and if we refuse to ( INSERT AMUSEMENT CHOICE HERE) then we may just become a stumbling block because we seem, I said seem, to be a wet blanket. Go where the sinners are :-) But do not sin. 4. This grape juice thing is curious to me coming from someone who sees in Scripture that you should not play a football pool (and it's not there), and does not see that Jesus blessed the wine not the juice (which is there.) You are by far not the only one to think that somehow wine as a Communion element would be missing the mark. I just find cognitive disonance(sp?) a muse ing :-) 5.What seems to be "outlandish" is always just around the corner. But I got a bit extreme in a poor attempt to make a point. 6. I believe we both have a problem with writing a last paragraph - you pretty much did what you said I did. If it was written with the intent of showing me how I sound sometimes, point well taken. We really are speaking of serious issues. May God bless you and yours, Jim |
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7 | Is it a sin to play the lottery? | Bible general Archive 1 | charis | 16745 | ||
Dear Jim, I'm not sure in what way I make your point, but I'll take it as a compliment. :-) 1) I was talking about gambling-lottery in general, not Janie in particular. I hope she was not offended by my comments. 2) I, too, heard the Gospel from some regular guys and gals. But I did get saved at a church (4th of July) picnic! :-) Friend, I find your comments more amusing than any form of 'innocuous' gambling or 'minor' sin. 3) Jim, one of the things I asked the Lord when I first came to serve Him in Japan was, "Please, never let me be a bore, or bored!" Though you seem to take my writing as such, I assure you that the Lord has been faithful! I am where the sinners are, and by the grace of God attempt to portray His excellence without condemning the lost. By the way, my environment is over 99-percent non-Christian. And you are correct in that (my opinion) Christian bigotry is the biggest hindrance to the Gospel. 4) Cognitive dissonance - close, but no bubble-gum cigar :-) What you are saying is that if I don't use the real (alcoholic) thing, then I'm a hypocrite to observe any other literal interpretation of the Bible. Is that right? (Ours is not a 'no-alcohol church,' but few, if any drink, and none, to my knowledge drink to excess) My reason for using grape juice is not legalistic, and if I offend the Lord for my inaccuracy, I pray for forgiveness. I, personally, don't believe that Jesus is concerned about which 'fruit of the vine' we use. 5) Something like 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not!' 6) ? I'm not sure which 'last parpagraph' you mean. I guess you mean my injection of irony, or poor attempt at humor. Please understand that my English not so good. It has been my 'second language' for over half my years, and this forum is my opportunity to try to be clear and precise. I do, however, try to keep my smile at all times, even when I disagree with another saint. True, these ARE serious issues, but serious does not mean angry, rude, pedantic or dull-witted. In Christ Jesus, charis |
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