Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the discussion, "Gambling And The Religious," Forum Member Cage asked the question: "If a church member wins $100,000 in the lottery -- should his/her church accept tithing from the lottery winnings -- or should the church tell him/her to leave the church for gambling?"
And, BFred responds, "I would say most Churches would be happy to have the tithe from the 100k."
Then, Chick tells BFred, "If what you say is true, why are the "Christian" people and churches the first to raise their head to stop it (gambling) when gambling is mentioned coming to Alabama?"
BFred tells her, "Some Christians believe that all forms of gambling are sin. What you hear from Christians about gambling, drinking, etc., all depends on the point of view of each individual Christian along with the doctrine of each individual Church. The people and Churches that speak so strongly against gambling are quite vocal with their opinions but (are) not necessarily (the) majority all of the time.
If you were to look up the doctrine of each of the major Protestant denominations, you would find a very wide variance and conflicts on many beliefs. Additionally, if you talk to the people in the churches, you would find that, in many cases, their personal beliefs conflict with the doctrine of their church.
From all that I have read in different versions of the Bible, things like gambling and alcoholic beverages really fall into the "It's not a sin, it's ok to do -- but better to not (do it)" category. Some Church's go to the extreme and condemn these things across the board; but that is not right."
BFred, you mentioned that some churches condemn gambling, drinking, etc. -- while other churches just look the other way. Taken to extremes, both are wrong. To better understand this issue, we must look at the Bible -- the literal, inerrant, inspired Word of God; the sole authority for Christian living. What does the Bible tell us about issues such gambling, drinking, eating, and dancing? I believe you will find that such things fall into several categories: (1) Is it done to excess? -- (2) Does it harm you or your family? -- (3) Does it harm your Christian brother or sister? -- and (4) Does it harm your Christian witness for Jesus Christ?
Is it done to excess? Anything done to excess, i.e., drinking alcoholic beverages, eating, working 24 hours a day just to gain material wealth, etc., will harm your health and ultimately destroy the body which God created. Because these actions can bring harm to yourself -- I do not think God is pleased with these excesses.
Does it harm your family? Are you taking money needed to support and feed your family and spending it on drinking or gambling? If so, this is wrong. Family and God come first -- above all earthly desires and pleasures. And, if you say, "I am gambling (poker, horse races, lottery, etc.) to get money to help my family" -- you are lying, to yourself -- and to others. First, take care of your family properly. Then, if you have an extra dollar and do not need it for anything else -- then, by all means, buy a lottery ticket. However, if this offends your Christian brother or sister -- or if it shines a negative light upon your Christian walk -- it is best to forego this pleasure.
Does it harm your Christian brother or sister? While I believe there is no harm in me having a glass of wine, or a Chivas on the rocks, with dinner -- if I am having dinner with someone who feels this is wrong, I must forego this pleasure -- for it is wrong to stumble or offend my brother or sister. I have a dear pastor Friend who believes drinking any alcoholic beverage is wrong. I hold great respect for this man even though I disagree with him that "a drink" with dinner is wrong. But, if I had that drink in his presence; it is a sin -- for I have offended my Christian brother.
This same pastor Friend does not believe in dancing. On the other hand, I love dancing -- not dirty dancing, i.e, excessive flaunting and belly rubbing; but, socially acceptable dancing. I feel that it is good exercise. But, I respect his feelings and would not do this in his presence. And, all of my Christian brothers and sisters who know him give him this same respect.
Around fifteen years ago, a Christian Friend had a Debutante Ball for her daughter, a coming out party, which is common in the Filipino communities. During the party we had really good music; but, no dancing. I will admit to shaking my booty in my chair. Later, after our pastor left -- people began to dance. Was this a back handed insult aimed at our pastor? No, in no way. It was a fellowship of Christians respecting the belief of our pastor and respecting him enough to forego this pleasure while he was there -- because it would offend him.
Does it harm your Christian witness for Jesus Christ?
How many times have we heard from non-believers? "I want to go to church, but the churches are full of hypocrites." -- and we often come back with the cute little remark, "That is okay. We always have room for one more."
While that response is accurate -- it is walking around the problem and not addressing it. Yes, there are hypocrites in virtually all of our churches. And, while there are
some who are purposely being hypocritical -- many are doing things, such as these issues addressed in this writing, without knowing or feeling that they are doing anything
which could be viewed as hypocritical
As I have often said, I see nothing wrong with having a drink or a glass of wine with dinner. However, I will not go to a restaurant wearing a "Warrior For Christ!" shirt and order a glass of wine or a Chivas Regal on the rocks. That would be casting a shadow over the head of Christ to have all the people in the restaurant seeing this "Warrior For Christ" drinking booze. And, we never want to do anything to harm the image of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pastor Greg Laurie has often joked that this is why he does not have a Christian fish on his car bumper -- so that folks on the freeway will not know the car that cut them off is being driven by a Christian. I don't know if he has such an emblem or if he is only joking -- but, his point is valid.
Some years ago, my Friend, Pastor Sam, came to Friday Night Bible study -- and he was upset. It seems that he was driving on the freeway and came up on a car which had a bumper sticker which read: "Honk If You Love Jesus!" Well, Pastor Sam certainly loves Jesus; and Pastor Sam in the most loving, friendly, outgoing person you will ever meet. So, Pastor Sam honked his horn and with a big smile, waved to the driver of the other car. The other driver waved back -- a one finger wave.
Pastor Sam was emphatic when he told us: If and when you sell your car -- and if it has a Christian symbol or bumper sticker -- REMOVE IT before selling the car.
I recall, about fifteen years ago, my Friend, Pastor Freddy Cortez, had left an evening worship team practice at church, and on his way home, stopped by the local Diedrich Coffee House. A comedian was entertaining that evening and right away noticed Pastor Freddy's "Soldier For Christ!" tee shirt. Feeling that he had a perfect patsy in the audience, the comedian told the audience, "I see we have Christ in the audience! Come on up here, Christ, and talk to us!" Everyone clapped their applause -- so, Pastor Freddy walked to the microphone and asked the comedian if he believed there is a God.
Pastor Freddy proceeded to tell the comedian how the watch he, the comedian, was wearing miraculously appeared from small bits of metal flying around the universe millions of years ago. When the comedian responded with a caustic, "Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?" -- Pastor Freddy told him, "It is no more ridiculous than believing that this massive universe and all life form, including humans -- happened by accident."
Pastor Freddy went on to share a brief message about the existence of God -- and, then excused himself -- leaving the comedian with egg on his face.
But, this is what it means to be a witness for Christ. We must strive to be the very best ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20), the very best witness (Acts 1:8) for Jesus Christ as is humanly possible. This would mean that, if you are wearing a Christian logo or symbol -- make it a positive witness as did Pastor Freddy. Do not belly up to the bar for a drink, wearing your "Warrior For Christ" shirt, and expect anyone to believe your witness.
So, what does the Bible tell us about this?
Romans 14:13-23 (nasb), "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this -- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food (or gambling, drinking, or dancing, etc.). All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
1 Corinthians 8:6-13 (nasb), "Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. [b] But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.[b] For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple (favorite restaurant or bar while drinking alcoholic beverages), will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble."
So, is it sinful to gamble, drink alcoholic beverages, and dance? If not done to excess, I, personally, do not believe the Bible condemns these actions. However, if another is stumbled -- either a Christian in his/her walk with the Lord, or a non-believer who is deterred from seeking the Lord -- because of your actions; then, it is a sin.
Whether you agree or disagree with me on these issues, that is not a problem. But, we must not allow such beliefs to divide us as Christian brothers and sisters.
The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14, "All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense." And, in 1 Corinthians 8, "And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble."
As Paul tells us in Romans 14, "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God." In other words, if you have truly studied the Word of God, the Bible, and are convinced that the Bible tells you that these acts are not wrong -- that is your conviction before God. However, we cannot allow our acceptance of these things to take precedence over the conscience and spiritual well being of our brothers and sisters who do find them to be wrong.
So, before I will offend or stumble my brothers and sisters in Christ -- I will hang up my dancing shoes and put a stopper in the wine bottle.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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