Gambling What’s the Big Deal? [FrontLine preview]
FRONTLINE Volume 33 • Number 5
Five years ago the Supreme Court ruled that Congress could not prevent states from legalizing sports betting. Now thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow it. Advertisements for sports-betting sites feature some of the most famous athletes and sports celebrities in the country. It is almost impossible to watch a sports program without some reference to the “point spread” or the “over/under.”
The mainstreaming of gambling in athletics is only part of a bigger trend. Whereas in 1910 gambling was legal in only two states, now it is prohibited in only two. Three-quarters of Americans surveyed said that they had gambled in the previous year. All but five state governments not only allow gambling but also promote it through their own lotteries. Gambling is now all around us, and technology has only accelerated this trend. As Stephen Marche puts it, “Once there was Las Vegas; now there’s a Las Vegas in every phone.”1
WHAT IS IN THIS ISSUE OF FRONTLINE?
If Christians are to respond correctly to this flood of gambling, we must first determine what God thinks about it. Is gambling a sin to be avoided completely, or is it merely harmless entertainment that can be enjoyed responsibly?
In a two-part article David Shumate argues for the former position. First, he asserts that gambling is a direct violation of the Tenth Commandment, which forbids coveting our neighbor’s property. Then he assesses gambling based on the two Great Commandments, to love God supremely and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Kristopher Endean continues this theological evaluation by discussing how gambling can put God to the test in a manipulative and unscriptural way. He then shows us how God wants us to put Him to the test in faith and submission.
In contrast to the gambling mindset, Larry Ball makes the case for Christians to exercise financial stewardship through wise investing. He also gives helpful principles that Christians should consider.
One consequence of the spread of gambling has been an increase in compulsive gambling. This is true not only among the lost but also among believers. Precious brothers and sisters in Christ need practical spiritual help, either because they came to Christ as problem gamblers or because they became ensnared as believers.
Drawing on his study and experience in Christian counseling, Jim Berg has written a letter to a hypothetical believer with a gambling addiction. In it, Dr. Berg helpfully lays out the theology and practice of biblical change in this area.
Turning to governmental policy, Gordon Dickson examines the state-run lottery as an insightful test case. It is one thing for the authorities to tolerate the vice of gambling; it is quite another thing for them to promote it to bring in revenue at the expense of the public good.
A fundamental problem with gambling is that it reflects a wrong view of money. Increasingly in evangelical circles, however, one hears the argument that private property itself is the real problem and that socialism aligns with Christianity better than capitalism does. In our final article, Kevin Bauder shows that the Scriptures, while condemning covetousness, endorse both private ownership and gainful activity.
OUR DESIRE FOR OUR READERS
It is our fervent hope that this issue will cause you to think seriously about gambling and be a model for engaging similar cultural practices and trends. We pray that it will be a valuable resource for you as you seek to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in this world.
Features:
GAMBLING AND THE BIBLE PART 1: DOES THE BIBLE FORBID GAMBLING?
David Shumate
Is gambling morally neutral and therefore to be avoided only under certain circumstances?
GAMBLING AND THE BIBLE PART 2: DOES GAMBLING VIOLATE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES?
David Shumate
How does gambling relate to the fundamental biblical commands to love God supremely and to love our neighbor as ourselves?
PUT GOD TO THE TEST
Kristopher Endean
Gambling is putting God to the test—something expressly forbidden in Scripture.
INVESTING VERSUS GAMBLING
Larry Ball
Is investing simply a more sophisticated form of gambling?
A LETTER TO A BROTHER IN CHRIST ENSLAVED TO GAMBLING
Jim Berg
Overcoming the enslaving sin of gambling is not substantially different from overcoming any other life-dominating sin.
REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION
Jim Berg
ARE STATE LOTTERIES GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE?
Gordon Dickson
Despite highly touted claims of benefit, lotteries are a pernicious evil perpetrated by governments on their citizens.
IS SOCIALISM A BIBLICAL OPTION?
Kevin T. Bauder
Are economic inequalities necessarily the result of some people preying upon others, whether directly or indirectly?
Departments:
MAILBAG
ON THE HOME FRONT
NEWS FROM ALL OVER
HEART TO HEART: Standing in Service
Priscilla Marsceau
AT A GLANCE: Leviticus: Holy Worship, Holy Lives
Layton Talbert
WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD: Life Lessons from Lot
Jim Tillotson
REGIONAL REPORT CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: The Sea in Perspective
Sarah Spivey
EVANGELIST’S PERSPECTIVE: Faithful in Responsibilities
Jerry Sivnksty
Our sincere thanks to Dr. David Shumate for coordinating this issue of FrontLine magazine.
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- “America’s Gambling Addiction Is Metastasizing,” The Atlantic online (November 26, 2021), https://www. theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/ world-our-casino/620791/ (accessed 5/12/2023). [↩]