Absolutely NOT! And especially NOT for trained video poker players.

There are NO references to gambling being a "sin" in the Bible. Some acts, however, are deemed deplorable and unacceptable if not done with reasoning and in moderation and "could" apply to a gambler. But these same acts "could" also apply to obese church members and leaders.

Gambling has been designated "sin" by selfish, pious men who think they have the wisdom of Solomon and preach their subjective conclusions. Even though their intentions are well meaning, Matthew 7:5 labels them as "Hypocrites."

The difference is that Solomon was objective in his wisdom whereas these self-appointed judges condemn those who "gamble" because, I suspect, that they themselves either are recovering gambling addicts, or they are religious fanatics who make subjective interpretations of the Bible.

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

...John 7:24

And because "they" detest the idea of gambling, they call it a sin and crucify all "gamblers" instead of offering love and compassion. They choose to lump all "gamblers" and "gambling" into a single pot and shout "Sinners be damned."

Now I'm not blind or stupid. I know there are some unsavory characters in the gambling arena just as there are unsavory members and leaders in the churches. And I know that some of God's children misuse funds for gambling that should be used for family and other responsibilities. (But then, is it responsible for church leaders to build "majestic" churches with congregation contributions instead of sharing with the hungry and needy men, women, and children at their backdoors?)

In all cases, we must pray for them, not condemn them because "we" don't approve of their actions. But, we must always remember- these are the exceptions. As in most walks of life, most of us are hard working, responsible, trust-worthy people.

I told you earlier about how God led me and blessed me on my journey to Las Vegas. I also told of the messages that came through loud and clear. But how about my life before my trip to Las Vegas?

I retired from the Army after 23 years, of which most of those years were spent in elite Airborne and /or Green Beret Units. I was truly an adrenalin junky. During this time, I made nearly 200 parachute jumps, and suffered only minor bruises or strains.

I spent 3 years in combat in Vietnam. Among other things, I witnessed the usual atrocities of war and I never even got a scratch.

A few years after I retired from the Army, I became a Texas Peace Officer and served as a Narcotics Agent for 10 years. During those 10 years there were numerous situations that created many adrenalin rushes. Again, I never even got a scratch. Then I came down with severe arthritis in my neck, back, and hip and had to retire completely.

As I look back, I truly believe that God protected me all those years because He had a bigger Mission for me. I believe He sent me to Las Vegas to start Robin Hood Ministries to spread the Word to senior citizens about His love for them, even though they "gamble", and to start a bountiful program for the sharing of blessings for the needy. I know God would not bless me into a sinful venture.

The start of this ministry was not taken lightly. I did much soul searching about if I was doing the right thing or not. But I learned a long time ago, "Never Question God's Plan."

And I did many weeks researching on whether or not gambling was a sin. I found many well-meaning, subjective interpretations and conclusions, but none were convincing to me. As I read the scriptures referenced by these writers, I found them to be unrelated to gambling as a sin, and I became even more convinced that the authors were biased. Mostly, it was the "powers that be" in the churches who made subjective decisions banning gambling. Based on my research, the closest thing I can find to gambling being a sin relates to the principles of the "Work Ethic."

This, however, DOES NOT apply to skilled or professional video poker players. These players practice hundreds of hours on a home computer and then spend an average of 6- 8 hours a day "working" on a video poker machine in a noisy, crowded, smokey casino. In no way is this a "Get something for nothing" situation. And the skilled player has NO expectations of "getting rich quick!" They know that the blessings they receive will be from the "fruits of their labor!"

As a basic rule, because of the intense concentration required to play at the 100% level, most video poker players drink only water during "work", take few very breaks, and don't engage in idle gossip. They do this because they enjoy their work- is it a sin for one to enjoy their work? In fact, doesn't this resemble the principles of the "Work Ethics" in the scriptures?

And as a Robin Hood Ministries member, they share their blessings(winnings) with the needy, and spread the Word.

It must also be noted that the casinos in Las Vegas employ tens of thousands of employees who use their income to support themselves and their families. Are the slot machine repair persons or other casino employees guilty of contributing to a sin?

And while it is true that a single casino structure can stretch upwards and outwards for blocks and are brightly lit and gaudy, we MUST remember one thing- GOD gave man the ability to conceive and create these majestic structures. With God, everything is possible- without God, nothing is possible. Or do the pious ones believe that MAN is more intelligent than GOD?

Grandma and Grandpa Smith Go to Disney World

Do the pious ones condemn the brightly lit, gaudy structures of Disney World? Absolutely NOT- most of them have been there on a "family" vacation.

Do they crucify Grandma and Grandpa Smith for spending $4000-5000 dollars of discretionary savings to visit Disney World even though the money spent will go into the Disney stockholders bank accounts? Certainly NOT- they deserve to enjoy life a little before they die. Don't they?

What productive outcome will result from the Smith's visit to Disney World? Do the photos and soon forgotten memories justify the expenditure in the eyes of the pious ones? What blessings were received? What blessings were shared with the needy? What will they do for enjoyment when the vacation is over?

Grandma and Grandpa Smith Move to Las Vegas

Now let's move the Smiths to Las Vegas to retire. Is it a "sin" to live in "sin city?" The Smiths and other senior citizens retire in Las Vegas "to live-not die."

What does this mean? It simply means that they are here to "enjoy life", probably for the first time in their lives. Their responsibilities are behind them and they refuse to just sit in front of a television and watch daytime soap operas and view the local murders on the evening news, while waiting to die.

Even though their aging bodies are crippled and pained, they choose instead to push their walkers, wheel their wheel chairs, drive their power scooters, and pull their oxygen bottles through the crowded casinos and "enjoy life" before their life's journey ends.

This includes enjoying entertainment unavailable anywhere else in the world and dining in fabulous surroundings at very reasonable prices, or very often "free." AND, Oh, yes- this includes gambling with their hard earned "discretionary funds." 

If, however, the Smith's would learn to play a positive expectation video poker game and use some of the "discretionary funds" as a "bankroll", they could become "consistent" winners. And, unlike their trip to Disney World, the Smith's could share their blessings(winnings) with the needy, and, hopefully, move closer to God.

Reevaluation

I encourage all churches and church leaders to reevaluate their positions on gambling and gamblers. The gambling industry increases the Gross National Product by billions each year and directly or indirectly provides jobs for millions of citizens.

Copyright   2004 Jimmie Walden