So...problem with something the pastor said...

[365_days_gone]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

[BuffaloSoldier]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

Not all people who drink alcohol are addicted to it. I'd say he was wrong to say that gambling/casinos are sinful in all situations, because some people just go play the slots at a casino once a year or whatever and leave it at that.

[Seeker of truth]

I believe gambling is a sin. Drinking one or two drinks occasionally is not a sin. Drinking to get drunk is a sin.

Your Pastor is correct. Drunkness is a sin. Drinking an occasional drink is not. It's my belief that a Christian should not drink in public as it could cause another Christian to stumble and it can cause doubt in others. They don't know if it's your first (only) drink or your tenth.

[Matthew]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

I think you make a good point. If he calls one a sin because it leads you into other problems then shouldn't the other be a sin if it leads you into other problems as well? You would think that if one can drink and not get drunk and be ok that one could put a quarter in a slot machine without becoming addicted.

[DavidDanced]

It's my belief that a Christian should not drink in public as it could cause another Christian to stumble and it can cause doubt in others. They don't know if it's your first (only) drink or your tenth.

I agree with this. We should be setting the example. So, I dont drink at all....in public or private.

I was having an issue with this recently. Some people from the ministry I am involved in invited me out for dinner and they were having drinks. I was very uncomfortable because we are very visible in our church and I didn't want anyone to see us and get the wrong idea. Since then I've tried to tell them delicately that I dont drink or want to be around when drinking is going on. Some people have become offended when I try to explain my position. So, I've taken to fellowshipping with them only at church events.

I'd rather avoid the situations than disagree over topics such as this with other Christians.

If God is serving drinks in Heaven, I'll have one when I get there

[xSTEADFASTx]

both are highly addictive; I despise alcohol at all levels of drinking; my parents played at harrahs; they really souldnt of because the money could of been put to good use. I just have more of a problem then drinking; because a one armed bandit can't really destory your liver; nor make you have dialisis

[Seeker of truth]

I agree with this. We should be setting the example. So, I dont drink at all....in public or private.

I was having an issue with this recently. Some people from the ministry I am involved in invited me out for dinner and they were having drinks. I was very uncomfortable because we are very visible in our church and I didn't want anyone to see us and get the wrong idea. Since then I've tried to tell them delicately that I dont drink or want to be around when drinking is going on. Some people have become offended when I try to explain my position. So, I've taken to fellowshipping with them only at church events.

I'd rather avoid the situations than disagree over topics such as this with other Christians.

If God is serving drinks in Heaven, I'll have one when I get there

I went shopping with my daughter last weekend and she asked me to carry her wine coolers to the car. I prayed the entire time I didn't run into my Pastor

Things will be so much easier once she is saved

[365_days_gone]

ok, but this thread isn't about alcohol being a sin, so please stay on topic. It is about the comparison of gambling a alcohol and the reasoning behind what the pastor said. How can he say one thing is a sin and the other isn't when his reasoning for the one thing being a sin can be applied to the non-sin thing? And it can't be applied just a little bit...it can be applied entirely!

[lordzboy]

Many pastors do this......... They pick and choose what they want to be sin but make excuses for the things that they dont want to be a sin. I do not find it biblical that casinos and lottery, etc... is a sin.
The bible says that if you beleive that eatting meat is a sin than it is for you so i guess it would be a sin for your pastor to gamble, but not everyone.

[karenoka27]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

I don't think your pastor was all that off. The Bible does not say that we cannot drink wine, though it is better not too (my opinion),

Ephesians 5:18-"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Here the Bible suggests a little wine:

1 Timothy 5:23-"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."

Gambling and Casinos are clearly for those who desire money. It is taking away from a dependence on God our Provider. In this case man tries to provide for himself in a foolish way:

1 Timothy 6:10-" For the loveof money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

The way one could decide if what they are doing is right or wrong may be to apply this verse:
1 Corinthians 10:31-"Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God."

[corijoysdad]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

There are a lot of things that bring people into addiction, etc and many of them start out innocent but evolves into something that controls their life, and gambling is no different.

The Bible doesn't have any specific verses against gambling (that I know of) but there are many verses about how we use our money, and the Bible also discourages us from "get rich quick" schemes, and of course the money being the root of all sorts of evil thing. When done in moderation, gambling is a waste of money, at the very least, and is not much different than say, going to a movie or buying a CD. If you can control it, I think it would fit into the same catagory. The problem is that a lot of people can't control it. Although I can't say exactly where your pastor is coming from, I would think that he is more concerned with where it can lead, and not where it starts, and that may be his point....where it can lead you.

But you ask a good question. If both can lead to ruin, why is one in moderation OK, but another is forbidden. Some people just think that way. You should ask him to clarify. Any pastor worth his salt would be more than happy to explain.

[TrustingFollower]

This is a good question. How is gambling any different than running a race? With gambling you get money for a prise and running the race you get a trophy. They are a game and can both be addicting. I agree with Corijoysdad on the fact that it is a waste of money. So I guess I don't see how one can be wrong and the other not.

[Dunedanranger]

My dad (love you dad! ) always says, "Son, it ain't the drink, its you." I think each person has to decide for themselves whether or not to drink or gamble. Not that I think gambling is a healthy way to spend one's money, or that it "redeems the time." We know as Christians that we are stewards of the gifts Jesus has given us, including time and money. The drink itself may inhibit a person while deciding how to use those gifts, and gambling probably isn't the best way to use gifts. One thing I know that makes quite a few people anti-gambling is that the Roman soldiers gambled for Jesus' clothes. I don't think either drinking or gambling are sins (don't shoot me!), but then again I'm not God, you'll need to ask Him. The posters before me did a very nice job explaining, I think. If you want to apply the same reasoning to alcohol as your pastor did to gambling, go right ahead, and more power to you. Remember though, you don't have to go by what your pastor (or anyone here says), go by what God's Word says.

I'm not disagreeing with you, TrustingFollower, but as an athlete I see a lot of differences between gambling and running a race. In a race, you are competing against other humans who happen to train in the same activity as you do yourself. The only risk you take (unless you bet on who will win) is the entry fee, if there is in fact an entry fee for that race. Even that can be looked at as a "ticket to participate," instead of a real gamble. The outcome (or better said, whether you win or lose) is based on individual skill and talent, not on chance. In a casino, however, you are siphoning cash into a machine that is designed to let you win just enough to keep you coming back for more, while also keeping up a steady profit. Not a way I want to use my money...

[TEITZY]

he said gambling and casinos is a sin...no questions about it.
His reasoning was that it is a sin because it brings people into addiction, depression, and many other problems.


But then said at a Sunday before that alcohol is not. But drunkeness is.

But if casinos and gambling is a sin for the reasons he listed, then could those not be applied to alcohol?

Here's an old thread that might be helpful.

Cheers
Leigh

[TrustingFollower]

Dunedanranger I only used the race as an analogy. I personally do not gamble. If you look at some of the gambling games they take skill of decision making just like to win the race it takes skill as a runner. My point is gambling is a game and some will argue that it is money spent on entertainment. I don't see it specifically forbidden in the bible so each one of us needs to make our own decision whether to gamble and drink or not.