tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392062159688834675.post7032373614491960404..comments2009-06-17T22:09:15.541-04:00Bob's Occasional Musingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09807834085003293410lcdrrn@cox.netBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392062159688834675.post-89733975322373846152009-06-17T20:52:47.811-04:002009-06-17T20:52:47.811-04:00I never encourage gambling, but I also can't make a blanket statement that all gambling is sin. I was reared in a household and religious tradition that did make that statement. It was adhered to so strictly that when I received a college scholarship funded by the state lottery, my father did not want me to accept it. No doubt there is the possibility of addiction, the temptation of easy money, or of taking advantage of others, however, there are temptations and pitfalls in drinking alcohol, watching movies, dancing, and any other entertainment activity which at some point a church has condemned as sinful. If a person is a good steward of finances, tithes and gives additional offerings to his church, and budgets a certain amount of money per month for entertainment, we would not say he was in the wrong. If he spends that money on going to movies or an amusement park, he's entertained and the money is gone. We still don't say he is wrong. However, if that same person spends the same amount of money on the lottery or a casino, then eyebrows start to be raised. Again, I do NOT encourage gambling, but I cannot in good conscience say that it is as cut-and-dry as some Christians would like to say that it is.JSHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02792180418884595606noreply@blogger.com