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I think "moderation" is the key word here. If someone is dumping life savings into habitual gambling.. there is a problem, but it more than likely isn't a gambling problem, it's more than likely something that goes much deeper.
Just like eating isn't a sin, but gluttony is? Moderation!
Those who have become addicted to gambling do not care about losing money (it is part of the game). The sin in gambling is in risking it all and when you win believing that fortune has smiled upon you. That you were destined to win, while it is nothing but the luck of the draw. That you could have 'persuaded' God to let you win against all odds.
It is like praying and then believing that God personally answered your prayers because you got what you wanted. Personally I think this is nothing but a futile exercise in egocentrism.
Another addictive aspect of gambling is the rush gamblers get for risking it all. When they loose they feel like dying and yet they still ‘live’.
People become more addicted to this rush, which reduces the winning to just a by-product.
So in the end gambling is self-destructive, because the risk has to keep increasing to experience the rush. A gambler is just like any other junkie who needs to increase the potency of his choice of poison to keep experiencing the high.
Just a question I have to ask. Hate to be negative, but if you did win a substantial amount of money gambling, whether it was lottery, poker, craps or anything else, would your church want you to tithe(sp?) a certain amount of it?
Just a question I have to ask. Hate to be negative, but if you did win a substantial amount of money gambling, whether it was lottery, poker, craps or anything else, would your church want you to tithe(sp?) a certain amount of it?
Well assuming you were on one of those Catholic AC trips definitely yes!
I think your tithe is supposed to be a percentage of your income...so yes it would include gambling wins. I just think if you have a bit extra, give a bit extra...not necessarily to your church but to something that is worthy of support.
Thats a good question GCSTroop. I know that if someone in my church won a lot of money from gambling that our pastor would not accept it. He spoke about it in a service one time and referred to it as "filthy lucre" stating it had no place within the finances of the church. Not all churches may feel the same way but I would guess that most of them would not look upon gambling favorably.
Well assuming you were on one of those Catholic AC trips definitely yes!
I think your tithe is supposed to be a percentage of your income...so yes it would include gambling wins. I just think if you have a bit extra, give a bit extra...not necessarily to your church but to something that is worthy of support.
It's been a LOOOOONNNNGGGG time since I've attended a Catholic church, and to be honest, I wouldn't know the Catholic Church's stance on this, but if they preach against gambling yet accept money earned by it isn't that a double standard? Just curious, but I suppose that goes out to all the churches. I really don't know what the Catholic Church's opinion is on this, I'm just musing right now.
Well, I asked my dh why he is personally agaiinst gambling. He said that to him even though there is no scriptural specific prohibition, it's wrong at so many levels it's hard to explain. Basically, he said that the addictive potential and the activities which often surround gambling bother him. It also bothered him that for example, people who buy lottery tickets are often the ones who have the least(financially) they are able to lose. (exploits the poor by dangling a carrot in front of them that most will never obtain.) But primarily, he feels it is in a sense, not trusting God for your provision, but rather throwing money away in an attempt to win some more. I asked him if he thought so even if it were just a little "recreational?" He said oh, maybe not, but that most people who gamble have the desire to "win big" at some level. Like with me, it just didn't "feel right" to him.
Good thoughts!
Quote:
Originally Posted by GCSTroop
Just a question I have to ask. Hate to be negative, but if you did win a substantial amount of money gambling, whether it was lottery, poker, craps or anything else, would your church want you to tithe(sp?) a certain amount of it?
Just another slant.. and if you lost big, would you expect them to help you?
Just a question I have to ask. Hate to be negative, but if you did win a substantial amount of money gambling, whether it was lottery, poker, craps or anything else, would your church want you to tithe(sp?) a certain amount of it?
I think it's more about the attitude of the heart then where the money came from. I don't know that someone would be required to give the money, it's truly up to that person and between him/her and God. Also, in regards to another poster's comments about their pastor not accepting "that" money. I don't add a note in my tithe giving a history of every dollar I received. If I won the lotto then I'd tithe just like from my paycheck. But that's my decision and is my church would not step in since they do not know my financial situation...and even if I don't tithe I'm still accepted there and not looked down upon.
Just a question I have to ask. Hate to be negative, but if you did win a substantial amount of money gambling, whether it was lottery, poker, craps or anything else, would your church want you to tithe(sp?) a certain amount of it?
God.. its me bigthirsty.. just wanted to drop you a quick fyi..
If by chance.. I win the $100 million powerball.. I'll give $20 million to my church..
Just wanted to put it out there.. not saying you have to let me win or anything.. I'm just sayin'..
God.. its me bigthirsty.. just wanted to drop you a quick fyi..
If by chance.. I win the $100 million powerball.. I'll give $20 million to my church..
Just wanted to put it out there.. not saying you have to let me win or anything.. I'm just sayin'..
Good point big t.
I dont get the whole point of tithing. If I was a drugbaron and tithed 75% of my drugmoney to the church, would that make me a good Christian?
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Personally I think this is nothing but a futile exercise in egocentrism. 
Another addictive aspect of gambling is the rush gamblers get for risking it all. When they loose they feel like dying and yet they still ‘live’. 
If I was a drugbaron and tithed 75% of my drugmoney to the church, would that make me a good Christian?
