The Hidden Dangers of Gambling. Part [12] 04/28/2026 (Morning thought)

Proverbs 1:19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Recently, as I was heading into Publix, I observed an elderly gentleman, probably in his eighties, standing at the front of the grocery, scratching off one of the lotto tickets. As I watched, his hands seemed to be trembling, as he scratched off the ticket, hoping for some glimmer of hope that this day will be his lucky day. Apparently, it did not work out, and afterward I saw him back at the counter, to purchase another ticket, hoping that this time the one in a million chance will come his way.

We do not know the end of the story, but what we do know, is that if at that age, persons are still hoping that they will get rich quickly, some folks may be in for a rude awakening. Kicking the gambling habit permanently is much the same as kicking any other habit. It must begin with acknowledging it as sin. However, after a confession there will have to be a turning away from the habit which means that there will be some stark choices, and stern decisions to make.

No one can force you to gamble if you choose not to because there is such a thing as taking responsibility for your actions. No devil can force persons to go to Hard Rock, and there’s no chatbot, including Claude, that can force you to bet on Polymarket. The choice always rests with the individual and thus, persons who are trying to kick the habit should avail themselves of every means to shun temptation, and the places and venues that would encourage you to gamble.

Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

The Hidden Dangers of Gambling. Part [11] 04/28/2026 (Evening thought)

1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Keep in mind that it is The Lord who has made the designation of gambling and betting being a sin, and furthermore, across the spectrum of societal norms, you will find many things that are considered normal, when in fact the Bible says otherwise. And if you currently have a Lotto ticket in your purse or your wallet, or in the glove compartment of your car, the desire to get rich quickly is also most likely present.

If the individual gambler were to confess that both the habit, and the desire to get rich quickly is a sin, that would pave the way for The Lord to remove the craving, replacing it with more noble aspirations and contentedness. The beauty of the gospel in Christ is that He has the power to break every chain, and since the gambling issue is no different to many of the other problems the human family suffers from, we could go to Jesus asking Him to wash and cleanse us from all desires that are contrary to His word.

Some people suffer with drinking, some suffer with lust, some people we may know of suffer from foul language, while with others, the herb is what makes them tick. God does not condemn anyone, because of problems they suffer from. He is more concerned with what we do with the remedy, provided through Christ.

 2nd Timothy 2:4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!