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Post by saltcitybaptist on Dec 31, 2002 14:11:09 GMT -5
Lets suppose this Sunday you preach a message on gambling. The following Sunday one of you members, has just won 100 million dollars in the Lottery with a ticket he bought five days previously.
Do you encourage him to thithe
Do you tell him the church does not want the tithe since it was gotten by gambling.
Do you pretend that it did not happen
DO you.........
would it make a difference if:
that member was a deacon?
your church had a serious finanical situation
(fill in the blank_________)
But then again, the Lord would never let a Christian win a big lottery, would he.
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Post by Tom in SA on Jan 2, 2003 19:14:16 GMT -5
I am new to these discusions so let me just give everyone a great big Howdy!
I would encourage the congregant to give the tithe to various churches and charities, none of which he/she held membership. In this way, we would avoid unbecoming sway due to the offering. I would also need to discuss the finer points of Christian propriety with fellow Christians. In other words, do not encourage the gambling of the others because of your winnings.
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Post by enoch on Jan 5, 2003 11:51:15 GMT -5
Just curious.
How has your opinions been affected by the winfall of the WV christian who won 314.9 million dollars in the powerball lottery and promptly wrote a check out to 3 pastor friends for 10% to take care of his tithe?
Chapter and verse gentle folk, where is gambling labeled a sin?
I recognize that it is stupid and a waste of money that most people need and should be spending on their families, but is it a sin?
As in all things, moderation is the key. Overindulgence in any thing is a sin, even food.
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Post by Tom in SA on Jan 5, 2003 23:18:31 GMT -5
The evidence is clear that gambling is an emotionally addictive behavior. There are at least another dozen socialogical ills that are not addressed explicitly in the Bible, but the conditions that are left in the wake of such ills are matters that must be addressed from scripture. Although you are correct in saying that gambling is not specifically (although sometimes implicit) forbidden in scripture, I am convinced that scripture does indeed address the attitudes and goals of gambling. In short, I don't think that even a moderate gambler is being reponsible.
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Post by enoch on Jan 6, 2003 22:36:55 GMT -5
We are called to win souls to Christ and to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with convicting and convincing the individual about what is right and wrong for him/her. We presume more than is our responsibility or duty when we go beyond the scope of clear scriptural teaching of the bible. We are called to win the lost, disciple the found and teach them to reproduce likewise. Let us endeavor to stick to these requirements and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work.  Who are we to determine what is a weakness for someone else based on our own weaknesses?  What the Holy Spirit has determined is a weakness to me, may not necessarily be one to someone else. I would not presume to tell someone else that meat is right or wrong for them, nor would I be too thrilled with someone trying to convince me that I cannot enjoy a porterhouse steak.  Amen? |
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Post by ABCRon on Jan 7, 2003 3:18:07 GMT -5
Hello Folks, Been away for a while. I got an e-mail from enoch this morning concerning his new ministry and I thought I'd come see what you folks been up to.
Well, my two cents about gambling is it addictive? And are you addicted? Then its a problem. Once again its a matter of who's got who. I seem to remember somewhere in Acts about a group of eleven good fellas trying to "toss lots" to replace one of their missing members. Is that gambing? let the winner tithe and use the funds to win the lost, not build you a greater pulpit.
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Post by Tom in SA on Jan 11, 2003 19:00:31 GMT -5
Remember that the premise of the inquiry is that a response is expected, either from the congregant or the Church. I don't believe that to ignore the reality of the question based on evangelism is in the Body's best interest. If a Church should use the money to build, we should not assume that evangelism is not the purpose of that project. I too, reject outright the ambition of some pulpiteers, but do not assume that every building project is an edifice to one's ego. |
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What the Holy Spirit has determined is a weakness to me, may not necessarily be one to someone else. I would not presume to tell someone else that meat is right or wrong for them, nor would I be too thrilled with someone trying to convince me that I cannot enjoy a porterhouse steak. 