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« Insider Navel Gazing | Main | In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of Peter Cottontail » August 16, 2007Christians Playing PokerThere have only been a handful of occasions in my life when I have gambled in any form. When I was at band camp in 9th grade, a friend convinced me to play poker for nickels, dimes, and quarters. He gave me a quick and incomplete outline of the rules and within a few hands had taken most of the pocket change I started with. I complained, he gave me my money back, and I haven't played since--even with no money at stake. David Heddle wrote in a recent post about winning a total of $560 the last three times he gambled (which was over the course of at least a year). David reasons that for Christians, "what is not explicitly prohibited is permissible with all the attendant caveats about idols, covetousness, making your brother stumble, and especially the lesson that all things should be done in moderation." I agree with that line of reasoning. So when is it OK for Christians to gamble, and when does it become sinful? I believe that gambling becomes sinful when it's about the money, and no longer just for fun. If you're wagering more than you would pay to play without any payoff for winning, then it's not just about the competition, is it? The Bible clearly condemns greed and get-rich quick schemes (see Proverbs 13:11), and praises earning a living through honest work. By this guideline, playing the lottery would be prohibited, as would be raffles for cash prizes. Betting on individual sports games would be out, but participating in a NCAA basketball pool or a season-long NFL pick'em competition would probably be acceptable. It all comes down to being honest with yourself about your motive for playing. Posted by Eric Seymour at August 16, 2007 01:54 PM CommentsI assume we're talking casino-style gambling here, and not small-stakes Tues nite poker games with the boys (or the girls). First: only people with lots of disposable income should gamble, because casinos are not in business to lose money. For those people who just insist on gambling their money away, set a strict guidline: decide beforehand on a reasonable amount of money to bring/lose to the casino. When you lose that money, find something else to do. Those people who can't stop, who borrow $$ from a friend or go rushing off to find a cash machine have a problem. Call it sin or addiction, these people should avoid all forms of gambling. Posted by: JohnS at August 16, 2007 02:50 PM | permalink "I believe that gambling becomes sinful when it's about the money, and no longer just for fun... The Bible clearly condemns greed and get-rich quick schemes (see Proverbs 13:11), and praises earning a living through honest work." I think you're confusing "unwise" with "sinful." You need a much stronger justification that this to condemn something as sin. Posted by: Listless at August 16, 2007 03:17 PM | permalink If you're wagering more than you would pay to play without any payoff for winning, then it's not just about the competition, is it? Wouldn't this mean that the only time gambling is not a sin is if you happen to be a risk-seeking individual? For casino style gambling (not for poker) this is the only type of person who plays anyway. Posted by: Joscelynn at August 16, 2007 04:04 PM | permalink Wouldn't this mean that the only time gambling is not a sin is if you happen to be a risk-seeking individual? No, there are many forms of gambling that could be more about the fun than about the payoff. For instance, raffles for a variety of non-cash prizes, or bingo for small amounts of cash or non-cash prizes. As JohnS says, "small-stakes Tues nite poker games with the boys (or the girls)" are more about the socializing than the winnings. However, when you're talking about poker, there's a particularly gray line between what's "small-stakes" and what's not. And that line will vary from person to person. Speaking for myself, the prospect of gaining or losing $100 in a poker game would definitely make the game be about the money. Posted by: Eric Seymour at August 16, 2007 05:49 PM | permalink For you to win some one else has to loose, that's how gambling works. The Bible has a lot to say about how sin entraps people and we always start small. The little gambling is OK but you have to be careful meme doesn't sound as good if you rephrase it to a little sin is OK but... Posted by: Mike O at August 19, 2007 04:52 PM | permalink Post a comment |
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