–– Charles Russell
The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Another weekend passes by, packed with hundreds of sporting events on which to gamble away hard-earned income. Whether the vice of choice is English Premier League, PSL, IPL, Super Rugby, Racing or Golf, statistically speaking South African’s gamble away more than R28 billion every week, or R1.5 trillion annually, having grown 550% in the past 4 years. This now represents ~20% of SA’s GDP and is one of the country’s most burning social issues.
Looking at this dilemma through a Christian lens, we observe several problems:
- Failing to provide: 63% of gamblers use money that they cannot spare. The majority of gambling addicts are using funds that should go towards food, clothing and shelter. Research indicates that it is mainly low-income South Africans who gamble away their monthly pay. “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8. By wasting your God-given resources, you make a mockery of the Lord’s provision, snubbing it as insufficient, you reveal yourself as a poor steward, and you steal from those whom you claim to love most, your family.
- Failing to count the cost: The odds are stacked against you. Whether gambling in casinos (~5% house edge) or online (~3% house edge), the longer one plays, the more money one will lose. By way of mathematical illustration, a 3% house edge means one will lose half one’s money after 23 bets. In Luke 14:28, the Lord Jesus asks, “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
In the same way, which of you, in understanding how the odds are stacked against you, can be so blinded by greed and an inflated sense of entitlement that you would willingly lose money that God has given you to steward and attend to the needs of your family? Gambling is not a wise application of funds entrusted to you. - Failing to develop a God-honouring work ethic: Habitual gambling will erode one’s work ethic, enticing punters to believe that they are one good bet away from unspeakable riches. 53% of survey respondents gamble because they need the extra money and believe that the next big win would change their family’s life. While the motivation may appear noble, the bible is clear. 2 Thessalonians 3:10b: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
It is not God’s plan for your life that you would “win-big and live the easy life”! Rather, we gather “little by little” according to Proverbs 13:11. The earlier part of this verse contains an even starker truism: “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle”. Even if you were to beat the odds, your winnings will quickly waste away. Indulging in pleasures and overspending, combined with a general lack of practical understanding of financial stewardship, will result in loss. - Failing to trust God: When gambling, the Christian neglects their trust in God and takes matters into their own hands. Discontentment is the prevailing heart attitude. The apostle Paul said it well in Philippians 4:11-12: “I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound”. The secret to contentment is knowing that the Lord is a gracious provider.
He provided manna and water for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). He fed Elijah through the ravens (1 Kings 17). He fed the 5,000 (Mark 6). He also promises to provide for his children’s needs as they “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Believer, you do not need to worry about your needs being met. Rather, seek communion with God, be in His Word, be in prayer and in fellowship with other believers.
Of course, there will be some listening to this podcast thinking – “it’s just a small amount of money”, “I’m just having a little fun” or “if I win, I will give to the church and missions”.
Firstly, I would urge you to set your mind on things above. The Christian would do well to focus on the most excellent things that he/she can do with their money (and time, for that matter) rather than seeing how close one can snuggle up to sin before eventually stumbling.
To those with some extra funds – look for a way that you can bless someone in need or increase your giving to the church, and in doing so “storing up treasure for [yourself] as a good foundation for the future, that [you] may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19).
To the vast majority with lesser means who look to gambling as a way to increase their income, renew your mind! Perhaps God has not given you more because you have not proved yourself as a trustworthy steward yet? As Jesus said in the parable of the dishonest manager, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).
You would do well to build God-honouring habits now. Are you spending less than you earn? Are you being generous with the little you have? Do you work heartily as unto the Lord and trust that the Lord will meet your needs through the means of work and daily diligence?