Bible Reading: I Timothy 6:1-12
Key Verse: Verse 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.”
Key Words: For the love of money
Why do people gamble? Some do it for the thrill of it, but most do it because they love money and are willing to risk what they have to gain what they do not have.
*80% of all teens gamble at least one time per year. Gambling today has been glamorized: the World Series of Poker which is televised nationally; also **gambling online has introduced a new twist – instead of having to put up cash to gamble, one can gamble with credit cards. In addition, one doesn’t have to wait to find a group of people who are awake and willing – it is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Another issue may be the broadcast government-sponsored encouragements to gamble in state-run lotteries. Purchasing lottery tickets and betting on sports are the road in to a serious gambling problem for many.
As a result of teen gambling, there are more teens with debt that they cannot hope to pay back, and a link to stealing and lying. Gambling is an addiction, and gamblers may spend more and more time on that activity, and less on schoolwork and relationships with family and friends.
“Gambling is the child of avarice (greed), the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” ~ George Washington
“Gambling corrupts our dispositions and teaches us the habit of hustling against mankind.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Let me close by giving you two verses from Proverbs. Proverbs 28:20b, “…but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:22, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
What to do:
✞ Gambling is not a virtue; it is a vice that leads to poverty and deprivation. Shun it.
Sources:
* Family First Aid.org
** National Criminal Justice Reference Service
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