Gambling — Don't Bet On ItWritten by Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.
The more state governments approve of legalizing casinos, lotteries, and various forms of gambling (along with many good organizations and some religious groups), more citizens become confused about whether it is honorable and right to participate.The first regular lottery was authorized to be drawn for charitable purposes at Malines, in Low Countries, in September 13, 1519. It was to benefit Church of St. Peter. An English lottery in 1612 supported English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia. Between 1744 and 1894, more than 1,300 separate lotteries were approved. Harvard University's Holsworthy Hall was built from such lottery funds. In 1830's, many Americans began to oppose lotteries. State after state began to prohibit them. In 1894, Congress had closed interstate and foreign commerce to lottery materials, thus ending lottery craze. In 1963, New Hampshire revived American lottery tradition by instituting such. John Jacobson, Executive Director of "National Association of Fund Raising Ticket Manufacturers" stated that in 1992 at least $6.4 billion was spent on bingo, raffles and other ticket games for charity in U.S.A. The income from bets netted about $721 million for charities in 26 states and District of Columbia. The amount did not include amount of money poured into electronic gambling, such as slots and video machines nor dice, punch boards, horse racing, football parlays, check stub number matching, etc. The association actively lobbies against those devises which competes with tickets it manufactures. The question is often asked, "Is it sinful to gamble?" I will attempt to answer this question from Scriptures and by applying some common sense. May it be understood that amount one gambles does not justify it, as it is principle of gambling that makes it wrong. Gambling is an attempt to gain without working. All games of chance come under this heading. Genesis 3:17-19 states that man is to work for a living. Likewise, Ephesians 4:28; 6:6 calls for old fashioned work. In II Thessalonians 3:10 inspired writings even state that those refusing to work should not be given charity. Certainly those who are incapable (physically or mentally) do not come under this category. However, when work is available and one refuses to work – he is not to be donated to. Our present-day government welfare programs should be reading Scriptures and then maybe our taxes would be much less. Some would point to Scriptures and attempt to prove gambling is justified. Often, one will point to Exodus 28:30 to usage of "Urim & Thummim." However, this was a means by which divine revelation was revealed to High Priest. God directed this, and nothing that God directs is in error. Likewise, some will point to Acts 1:26 to "Casting of Lots," for selection of a replacement for Judas Iscariot. However, this was a procedure which God approved. I Corinthians 5:11 uses a Greek word "HARPAX," which is translated "Extortion," and "Swindler" in English. It means to: seize, carry off by force, rob, plunder. . . Basically, it means to take without giving in return! That is what gambling is – it is all for taking home jackpot without giving labor in return. Exodus 20:17 (The last of Ten Commandments) says, "Do not covet. . ." It is greed that causes one to covet. It is also greed that causes one to gamble, (see Colossians 3:5; I Corinthians 6:9,10). Some would have us to believe that gambling is a sickness like alcoholism. However, just like alcoholism, gambling is self induced. Some cry out, "But word gamble is not even in Bible, so how can it be wrong?" Please note Philippians 4:8,9 and determine if gambling is right. The seeking of sudden wealth leading to a life of ease and no responsibility is not God's plan for man. Matthew 6:24 states that one cannot serve two masters and this is what happens as one permits him/herself to fall into trap of gambling.
| | If Jesus Never Came.Written by Rev.A.R.Smith
If Jesus Never Came. part 1 by Anthony Smith 2 Peter 2:4-2:11 If Jesus Never Came. part 1. A look at, Athiest, Agnostice, Humanist and Freethinkers. There are many people that call themselves atheist, to me an atheist is an agnostic without a clue. I believe if we took a poll on atheist from ever major war, we would find out many Atheist were turned into Agnostics and Agnostics were turned into believers. An atheist is; One who disbelieves or denies existence of God or gods. An agnostic is;One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God. One who is skeptical about existence of God but does not profess true atheism. Why are Athiest, Agnostice, Humanist, Freethinkers and like so preoccupied about proveing that God and His Son Jesus dont exist? Is there something in Bible that scares them so much that we have become a threat to them? It doesnt take much not to believe in something, but it takes all to believe in God. Christianity, in mankind, is not perfect by any means. The Apostil Paul stated, “Let us go on to perfection...”Heb 6:1. We disagree many times over many subjects but we all have come to agreement that we can all disagree. I think that is pretty civil of us, dont you? Well lets put it this way, If God didnt exist then neither would, Athiest, Agnostice, Humanist or Freethinkers. Now lets take a look at world as If Jesus Never Came. An atheist states that God or gods dont exist, this is not entirely truth on their part. An Atheist doesnt believe in Theory of Darwin so that makes him a believer in a higher power. They believe, or are interested, in spirituallity and sense spirituallity is a religious term they lie to themselves. So we will look at it from that point of view. The question that these people should be asking is “Who created religion?” Athieism, Agnosticeism, Humanism or Freethinkers are terms that constitute a religion. Religion is actually; Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of universe. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. The life or condition of a person in a religious order. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on teachings of a spiritual leader. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion. Gen 1:1 In beginning God created heaven and earth. In this statement Bible speaks not a word about religion or worship, you would be, in fact, hard pressed to find any mention of these subjects untill Chapter 4. A covenant relationship didnt arrive untill chapter 6. Again religion is still not mentioned, so what was God doing with man? He was making a pact, a promise and a covenant, not religion. Religion came into effect begining in chapter 10 with Nimrod. The Hebrew name Nimrod means "let us rebel," given by his contemporaries to Nimrod as one who ever had in his mouth such words to stir up his band to rebellion. Nimrod subverted existing patriarchal order of society by setting up a chieftainship based on personal valor and maintained by aggression. [Fausset] This is an athesist comment; ”I am interested in spirituality, and I have a general interest in history of Christianity and bible. I find most of active Christians I meet to be nice people, and I am fascinated by how they twist and avoid truth in order to claim Bible is somehow holy. I also see it mis-used often in Politics, and I always urge people to read bible, line for line, so in that respect we have same goals. I would love for bible reading to be compulsury in public schools, line for line, without Christian spin.” Most athesist fall under catigory in religionism; A state of often extreme religious ardour; {Fiery intensity of feeling.} Morris notes, "The essential identity of various gods and goddesses of Rome, Greece, India, Egypt, and other nations with original pantheon of Babylonians is well established. [In fact], Nimrod himself was apparently later deified as chief god (’Merodach’ or ’Marduk’) of Babylon.(Rom. 1:23)And changed glory of uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Babylon means “Gate of God.” The citizens of Babylon had rejected knowledge of true God. Therefore, we should expect creation of a false religion as part of their dubious cultural achievements. Again, Bible speaks of "mystery Babylon," that is, of reality symbolized by earthly city, saying that it is "the mother of prostitutes and of abominations of earth" (Rev. 17:5). This refers, as do ideas of prostitution and abomination throughout Bible, to false religion.Turn to any book on astrology and you will find that it was Chaldeans (another name for inhabitants of Babylon) who first developed zodiac by dividing sky into sections and giving meanings to each on basis of stars that are found there. A person’s destiny is said to be determined by whatever section or "sign"he is born under. [THE TOWER OF BABEL AND THE CONFUSION OF LANGUAGES] by Lambert Dolphin
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