Hey 2A or others?

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dems4me

Guest
Its my understanding that there is no scripture in the Bible against gambling specifically, just scripture about a fool and their money, and about being poor and how one should strive not to be in debt, etc....

I was wondering... my church sponsors a Bingo every Friday night and I've been a few times and they say all the money goes to the church (which it doesn't really because folks win money there)... does a Church Bingo go against scripture and how is this NOT considered gambling? I'd hate to be doing something wrong in the eyes of the Lord let alone in a church... Any suggestions? I think it benefits the church or they wouldn't do it, also alot of us get together their, folks bring in food for dinner, so its fellow Christians socializing, etc.... Is church Bingo right or wrong??? :confused:
 
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Toxick

Splat
dems4me said:
Its my understanding that there is no scripture in the Bible against gambling specifically, just scripture about a fool and their money, and about being poor and how one should strive not to be in debt, etc....


As far as I know, the Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting or the lottery.

It does, however, say to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Take that as you will.

Also, the Bible says to avoid the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5).



I don't think anyone's going to fry in hell for playing Church Bingo.
 
D

dems4me

Guest
Toxick said:
As far as I know, the Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting or the lottery.

It does, however, say to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Take that as you will.

Also, the Bible says to avoid the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5).



I don't think anyone's going to fry in hell for playing Church Bingo.



Do you have the exact scripture for the "get rick quick" scriptures you cited?

I agree, and folks forget the scripture -- money is NOT the root of all evil... the scripture reads the LOVE of money is the root of all evil... :biggrin: maybe I don't love it enough... it leaves me too quickly... :lol:
 

Toxick

Splat
dems4me said:
Do you have the exact scripture for the "get rick quick" scriptures you cited?

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

Obviously the words "get rich quick" aren't used but:



Pro 13:11 Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Pro 23:4-5 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Ecc 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of 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.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.


dems4me said:
I agree, and folks forget the scripture -- money is NOT the root of all evil... the scripture reads the LOVE of money is the root of all evil... :biggrin: maybe I don't love it enough... it leaves me too quickly... :lol:



Me, I don't love money.

I just like the stuff I can get with it.
 

Railroad

Routinely Derailed
I think this ends up, in practice, to be a denominational issue. Catholics and maybe a couple of other Christian sects think it's okay to have a casino night at the church. It's funny you should ask just now, because this afternoon I noted with some pleasure that St. John's (a Catholic church) is having a casino night soon, at the Hollywood VFD social hall, rather than at the church itself.

My personal belief is that since Jesus abhored (and overthrew) the money-changer's and sacrifice-seller's tables within the walls of the temple, one should have a natural discomfort with such things in the House of the Lord. So I don't agree with bingo or other forms of gambling on church property, and as a matter of personal principle, I'm not comfortable with gambling. I don't play the lotto, etc.

In my personal opinion, if I were to play a lotto ticket, it would be wrong of me to ask God to help me win. I don't know exactly why, but a feeling of discomfort hits me in the back bone even thinking about that.

The instinctive response I had to this question in the beginning was, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If I believe that God controls what happens in my life and that I in my relationship with Him make choices, expecting Him to take care of me, then I've been unfair in a way.

I don't know - that's my two cents.

One last thought: I believe that my discomfort about some things, and strong positive feelings about others are the result of the Holy Spirit giving me additional guidance on day-to-day events.
 
D

dems4me

Guest
Railroad said:
I think this ends up, in practice, to be a denominational issue. Catholics and maybe a couple of other Christian sects think it's okay to have a casino night at the church. It's funny you should ask just now, because this afternoon I noted with some pleasure that St. John's (a Catholic church) is having a casino night soon, at the Hollywood VFD social hall, rather than at the church itself.

My personal belief is that since Jesus abhored (and overthrew) the money-changer's and sacrifice-seller's tables within the walls of the temple, one should have a natural discomfort with such things in the House of the Lord. So I don't agree with bingo or other forms of gambling on church property, and as a matter of personal principle, I'm not comfortable with gambling. I don't play the lotto, etc.

In my personal opinion, if I were to play a lotto ticket, it would be wrong of me to ask God to help me win. I don't know exactly why, but a feeling of discomfort hits me in the back bone even thinking about that.

The instinctive response I had to this question in the beginning was, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." If I believe that God controls what happens in my life and that I in my relationship with Him make choices, expecting Him to take care of me, then I've been unfair in a way.

I don't know - that's my two cents.

One last thought: I believe that my discomfort about some things, and strong positive feelings about others are the result of the Holy Spirit giving me additional guidance on day-to-day events.

Thanks for your input but we aren't raffling off doves and things of that nature nor are we in a temple making a circus or mockery of Jesus and Christianity... just straight bingo, cash, food and conversation. :shrug: Thanks for your suggestions... I will give it thought... I don't know about the lottery and stopping that though entirely... how can you win if you don't play?
 

Railroad

Routinely Derailed
dems4me said:
Thanks for your input but we aren't raffling off doves and things of that nature nor are we in a temple making a circus or mockery of Jesus and Christianity... just straight bingo, cash, food and conversation. :shrug: Thanks for your suggestions... I will give it thought... I don't know about the lottery and stopping that though entirely... how can you win if you don't play?
I understand - I'm just telling you how I feel about it. The right measure of it is, what you get back from God when you pray about it - not my 2 cents.

The Baptists have special meal get-togethers and Wednesday night prayer services and study groups and the like. They don't do bingo or other stuff, though. But you can count on some pressure to tithe as much as you can, all the time.

As far as the lottery is concerned, I'm even worse than you might have imagined - I disagree with the whole lottery thing in general! I've considered playing it, but my gut (or my conscience?) tells me not to.
 

Vince

......
I'm not great with the bible, but didn't the gambling thing come about because they gambled (drew lots) for Jesus's clothes when then crucified him?
 

dustin

UAIOE
dems4me said:
Its my understanding that there is no scripture in the Bible against gambling specifically, just scripture about a fool and their money, and about being poor and how one should strive not to be in debt, etc....

I was wondering... my church sponsors a Bingo every Friday night and I've been a few times and they say all the money goes to the church (which it doesn't really because folks win money there)... does a Church Bingo go against scripture and how is this NOT considered gambling? I'd hate to be doing something wrong in the eyes of the Lord let alone in a church... Any suggestions? I think it benefits the church or they wouldn't do it, also alot of us get together their, folks bring in food for dinner, so its fellow Christians socializing, etc.... Is church Bingo right or wrong??? :confused:

You could suggest having a slient auction for the next fundraiser. :shrug: Our church (LaPlata United Methodist) raised approx 13,000!!!
 

2ndAmendment

Just a forgiven sinner
PREMO Member
As has been well stated, gambling is not specifically mentioned in the Bible as a sin, but being a good steward is. We are to take care of the blessings that God gives us.

Jesus overturned the money changers and peddlers tables and threw them out of the temple because they were being dishonest. The were cheating people.

Here is what I advise.
1) Pray about it. If you want wisdom, seek it from the highest authority, God. He is faithful and true to answer.
2) If you think it is a sin, it is for you.
3) Do not gamble unless you have tithed. Not tithing is robbing God. That is in the Bible.
4) Do not gamble unless you have money to pay your bills, rent/mortgage, and food.
5) If you gamble, gamble for fun and not as a source of income.
6) If you gamble, never cheat.
7) If you win, thank God and remember to tithe the winnings.
 
D

dems4me

Guest
2ndAmendment said:
As has been well stated, gambling is not specifically mentioned in the Bible as a sin, but being a good steward is. We are to take care of the blessings that God gives us.

Jesus overturned the money changers and peddlers tables and threw them out of the temple because they were being dishonest. The were cheating people.

Here is what I advise.
1) Pray about it. If you want wisdom, seek it from the highest authority, God. He is faithful and true to answer.
2) If you think it is a sin, it is for you.
3) Do not gamble unless you have tithed. Not tithing is robbing God. That is in the Bible.
4) Do not gamble unless you have money to pay your bills, rent/mortgage, and food.
5) If you gamble, gamble for fun and not as a source of income.
6) If you gamble, never cheat.
7) If you win, thank God and remember to tithe the winnings.


Thanks, I've considered the 7 points mentioned above but still haven't come to any conclusion. I do tithe winnings... :) I even throw extra money in at Bingo night, I kind of get laughed at but its for the church :shrug: Would church bingo be considered tithing? Especially if you spent about 50-60.00 and didn't win anything?
 

Railroad

Routinely Derailed
dems4me said:
Thanks, I've considered the 7 points mentioned above but still haven't come to any conclusion. I do tithe winnings... :) I even throw extra money in at Bingo night, I kind of get laughed at but its for the church :shrug: Would church bingo be considered tithing? Especially if you spent about 50-60.00 and didn't win anything?
I'd say it's between you and God. Pray about it, then rest easy.
 

2ndAmendment

Just a forgiven sinner
PREMO Member
dems4me said:
Thanks, I've considered the 7 points mentioned above but still haven't come to any conclusion. I do tithe winnings... :) I even throw extra money in at Bingo night, I kind of get laughed at but its for the church :shrug: Would church bingo be considered tithing? Especially if you spent about 50-60.00 and didn't win anything?
I wouldn't consider it as part of my offering. It is "entertainment" money no matter where you spend it, but again, that is between you and God.
 

paxetonic

IR1RU12
Do you doubt?

Perhaps the existence of doubt, however slight, and the fact that you expended energy in asking for advice in a public atmosphere, as you have here on the forum, are the answer themselves. It seems that your spirit is not entirely comfortable with the idea of church sponsored gambling. Sometimes the presence of doubt and questioning are evidence that what you are contemplating is not what God has intended for you to do. Who knows whether church sponsored gambling is a sin? We as humans cannot make that judgment. It may be acceptable for some people to gamble at such events and not acceptable for you or others. What matters is not what God's will is for other people, rather what matters is what God's will is for you. Generally, misgivings on any given matter can be interpreted as the Spirit telling you its not the Way. In the end, the determination of righteousness on this matter can only be done by you. Praying and studying about it are key to figuring it out. You say that after doing studying and praying you still are unsure. Perhaps, God has not yet responded to your inquiry. Spiritual patience in waiting for God's timing to catch up with you is key to making a sound decision. 2A's 7 point program is, IMO, the right answer. Couple that with Spiritual patience and you'll find the answer to your question.
 
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