TOPIC: GAMBLING [SUNDAY, 7TH JANUARY 2018]
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, deliver me and my fellow believers from the evil spirit of covetousness. Help us to be content with our resources.
MEMORY VERSE: 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. Hebrews 13:5
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Timothy 6:6-12
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
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.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
INTRODUCTION:
The word gamble means “to risk something of value on an outcome that depends on chance”. Other related activities to gambling are betting, lotto/lottery, gaming, casinos, ‘money doubling’ and ‘get rich quick’ programmes, among others. Because the outcomes of these activities “depend on chance” and doing them involves “risk”, then, by definition, they are all gambling. Although, the Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery, it does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches. Jesus warns us against letting riches get in the way of our spiritual benefit (Mark 4:19; 10:25) and that we cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13).
TEXT REVIEW: 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Lack of contentment or satisfaction could lead to dangers. Therefore, Apostle Paul warned believers beforehand:
i. It leads into temptation and snare.1Tim.6:9a
ii. It produce foolish and hurtful list. 1Tim 6:9b.
iii. It drowns men(women inclusive) in destruction and perdition. 1Tim 6:9c
iv. It leads the victims to err from faith. 1Tim.6:10b
v. It is like arrow that Pierces many hearts with many sorrows. 1Tim. 6:10c
How can believers be free from the problem of lack of contentment? The answers are as follows:
a. Flee from unending desires to acquire more money, power, materials, riches,etc. 1Tim. 6:9-11
b. Embrace eternal life absolutely. 1Tim. 6:12b
c. Fight the good fight of faith. 1Tim 6:12c.
d. Learn to be contended. 1Tim 6:6
e. Follow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, Patience and meekness which are the fruits of the spirit. 1Tim. 6:11.
LESSON OUTLINES
1. Instances of gambling in the bible
2. Reasons for gambling and its consequences
3. Biblical counsel for believers
INSTANCES OF GAMBLING IN THE BIBLE
Staking of riddle or casting lot was found in the Bible:
i. Samson staked a riddle for thirty change of garment Judges 14:12-13
ii. The soldiers cast lot over the garment of Jesus John 19:24.
iii. Casting lot was used as option to select between the sacrificial goat and scape goat.(Leviticus 16:8).
iv. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribe (Joshua 18:10).
v. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:34).
vi. Although people cast lot to take decision but best decisions are those taking by the Lord or guided by the Holy Spirit.
vii. The lots is cast into the lap, but decision is wholly of the Lord. Even the event that seems accidental are really ordered by the Lord. Proverbs 16:33
viii. Lot casting here is synonymous to testing of luck or to gain material wealth.
ix. Lot casting has to do with making a decision from alternatives from the Biblical perspective and not for “luck” or “chance” or to make quick money.
The Bible message says. “Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say” Pro 16:33
CLASS ACTIVITY 1:
Why do peoples gamble?
REASONS FOR GAMBLING AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
i. Love of money – people test their luck with numbers to get money. However such people are mostly empty (Ecclesiastes 5:10-15).
ii. Covetousness for material gains or what money can buy. Many gamblers and lottery player are deep in material gains which God forbids. (Exodus 20:17; 1Timothy 6:10).
iii. Those who engage in get-rich-quick schemes stand the risk of loosing everything. Do not set your eyes on that which is not real, riches certainly make themselves wings and fly away.
iv. Studies show that many lottery winners ended up in worse financial situation after the jackpot. Apostle Paul wrote”… And they Pieced themselves through with many sorrow. 1Tim. 6:10
v. Those who are desperate of getting rich quickly believe they will always win (1Timothy 6:9; Proverbs 1:32).”…. Drowned men in destruction and perdition 1Tim 6:9
BIBLICAL COUNSEL FOR BELIEVERS
i. God wants His people to prosper (Psalm 35:27; 3John 2) and to earn their money honestly by working hard (2Thessalonians 3:10). We ought to gain wealth through diligence, as a gift from the Lord: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).
ii. Jesus teaches, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13). Do not join the multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2).
iii. In 1Timothy 6:10, we find the famous warning that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Proceeds from gambling/lottery/betting do not please God (Proverbs 13:11). God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of the church through honest means.
iv. Money and material wealth should not be the primary pursuit of a believer, rather it should be the kingdom of God and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
v. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the needy and the Lord’s work, not gambled away (Proverbs 19:17; Exodus 35:5).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2:
What should believers do with excess cash/money at hand?
SUMMARY:
Do not gamble your money, materials and life.
CONCLUSION:
Be satisfied with your resources and believe God for increase.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father, prosper me in your own way and time.
ASSIGNMENT:
Identify ten forms of gambling in our society.
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