The Bible and Gambling

The word “gambling” cannot be found in the Bible.  However, like so many other issues in life, the Bible does contain timeless principles that apply.  We cannot assume that an activity is right or wrong simply because it is not mentioned.

Some try to support gambling by comparing it to the "casting of lots," which we read about in both the Old and New Testaments.  Although casting of lots was common among many ancient cultures, usually this method was employed when people had to make a decision; and in most instances, casting lots was simply a way of determining something impartially.  We remember that Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' garments at His crucifixion.

What about today?  While casinos and lotteries promise thrills and excitement, people gamble to try to win money.  However, the Scriptures give very specific instructions about what our attitude should be toward money.  "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.  This too is meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).  Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 16:13).  Paul reminds us, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10).

In one sense, incessant gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard.  Proverbs 10:4 says, "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

Another key principle in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them.  Those who habitually gamble may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please.  Yet, God gives us talent and health to carry out our jobs.  Wise stewardship of any extra monies calls believers to invest it, give it into the work of the Lord, or to save it for emergencies, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player.  Sometimes people who gamble use monies that should rightfully go toward their family's needs.

Gambling also promotes covetous attitudes.  The Scriptures speak directly to this possibility.  Exodus 20:17 says, "You shall not covet your neighbor's house.  You shall not coven your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."  Sadly, gamblers many times covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing.  Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol.  

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, two million American adults are pathological gamblers and another four to six million are problem gamblers.  Such addictions destroy family stability, lead to job loss and cause a person to lose control of his life.  2 Peter 2:19 says, "...for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him."

Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope.  Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God.  The Bible clearly supports the idea that our hope is in God alone, not money, power or position.  My Christian friend, let the Holy Spirit guide you in this respect.  I have simply offered principles to guide you.  Proceed with caution!

Fear and Trembling

What did it mean when Paul told the believers at Philippi to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling?  Many today read this verse and become perplexed until they understand its proper context.

First, let me tell you what this verse is NOT saying!  In no way is Paul suggesting that salvation is obtained by good works.  We adamantly believe that we are saved by grace through faith.  Paul emphatically maintains in Romans 3:28 and many other places in the New Testament "that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law..."

Like any verse, we need to look at the verses immediately before and after it to correctly ascertain its true meaning.  This somewhat suspicious verse is quite readily explained when we look at it within its proper context.

Here's what Paul says in Philippians 2:12, "So then, my beloved, just as you always have obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

In verses 1-11 Paul encourages these believers to be of the same mind, maintain the same love, be united in spirit and intent on one purpose.  He admonishes them to look out for one another’s interests, to serve one another and to give themselves to each other in love and humility.  Paul uses Jesus' supreme example of humbling Himself even to the point of death.  Jesus was God and yet He took on the form of a bondservant, was obedient to the Father's plan AND God exalted Him!

Given this backdrop, Paul commends the Philippian believers for always obeying the Lord while he was in their presence.  THEN HE SAYS, "...but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."  In other words, Christians should learn to take an individual initiative when it comes to daily obedience and living for Christ.

One sign of personal spiritual maturity is when a believer no longer has to rely on other Christian workers to remain steady in his resolve to serve God.  

God wants us to rely on Him and to "work out" our own salvation, instead of depending on our Christian leaders to do it for us!  In essence, what Paul was saying was, "I don't have to be there for you to 'work out your salvation.'"  When I pastored in the South, we referred to folks who always had to have the preacher's input as having "preacher religion."

Encouragers are always welcome, of course, but God wants us to get to the place where we keep "walking" when there's no one to push us along.  Paul reminded the Philippians:  “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."  In verse 15 he writes, "...so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach..."  

Saints, we don't get to heaven holding on to other believers.  We will arrive safely holding on to Jesus!  So, work out your own salvation, whether you have pastors and other mature believers around you or not.  Remember, “our personal toil is not in vain” (verse 16).

Born in '74

Lately, several newcomers to Hope Community Church inquired about our history.  One lady asked, “When was the church started?”  My reply seemed to startle her.  “The church was birthed in 1974.”  She said, I don’t remember this church being in Jefferson that long.”  I replied, “It was conceived in my heart in 1974 and born on September 10, 2017.  

Let me explain.

I was born in Ashtabula and grew up in Jefferson, graduating from Jefferson Area High School in 1974.  Four years prior to graduation, I came to faith in Jesus Christ while attending youth camp and simultaneously felt a call into ministry. 

The summer after I graduated from JAHS, I struggled with my perceived need to remain home after my mother’s untimely death in 1972 or to leave for college.  One day, while walking in the field behind my home and feeling overwhelmed, I cried out to the Lord for direction.  I remember falling to the ground, sobbing in the high grass.  I then heard the Lord say, “He who does not forsake father, mother, brother or sister for my sake is not fit for the kingdom of God.  One day you will return to Jefferson and plant a church.”

That promise came to pass 40 years later! 

I subsequently attended Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, where during my sophomore year I met Lori Owens.  We married in August 1977.  Over the next 35 years, we pastored five Assemblies of God congregations in three states.  Each time we completed a church assignment, we wondered if it was time to see the Lord’s vision for Jefferson fulfilled.

In 2012, we transitioned from our fifth pastorate.  Both of us were experiencing ministry burnout.  And that’s when the Lord directed us to Journey Church in Fairview Park, Ohio.  For one year we simply attended services.  Members of that congregation, along with lead pastors, Jim and Jennifer Wilkes, loved us back to spiritual and emotional health.

During the summer of 2013, Pastor Wilkes asked me, “Roger, do you still have a dream left inside you?”  I then shared my dream of one day returning to Jefferson to plant a church in my hometown.  Not only did the Fairview Park church support this dream, they also financially resourced the new church!

In September 2013, Lori and I began holding monthly “Meet ‘N Greets” at the Henderson Memorial Library, and Journey Jefferson was born!

Later that year the infant church moved to a small room in the Jefferson Recreation Center, still holding monthly meetings.  Momentum continued to build and by May 2014 the church was ready to begin weekly meetings.  The church launched its first weekly service on September 26, 2014.  By that time Journey Jefferson had relocated to Giddings Park, adjacent to the Jefferson Police Department.

Initially, servant leaders from the Fairview Park campus were scheduled weekly to help lead the infant church until local leaders could be raised up.  Journey Jefferson enjoyed steady growth over the next two years, necessitating yet another move.  The church moved back to the Jefferson Recreation Center in May 2016, utilizing the entire facility.  By March 2017 average weekly attendance reached 100 plus people with local leaders in place for the worship team, children’s ministries and other ministries.

Hope Community Church owes Journey Church a tremendous debt of gratitude.  The church’s first four years of existence were made possible by Journey.  In early 2017, it became apparent that Journey Jefferson’s rural culture, along with the substantially long distance from the main campus, were working a hardship on the campus’ ability to move forward.

The church exhibited needs and core values different from those of Clevelanders.  Leadership felt the unique needs of Jefferson necessitated an autonomous church in Ashtabula County.  God was doing a new thing!  In short, the campus had moved from infancy to a more mature family of believers.  It was time to move forward with a new vision, a new name and to place a pastoral presence in Jefferson.

To that end, Hope Community Church was birthed in May 2017.  The “new church” held its first service on May, 28, 2017 while still meeting at the Jefferson Recreation Center. 

In June 2017, members of the new church leadership team began looking for a permanent home for HCC, when the Lord led them to the former home of Bethel Bible Church, located at 573 Goodale Road in Jefferson.  This sister church agreed to owner-finance this facility, making it possible to acquire its new home.  Hope Community Church held its first official service on September 10, 2017.

From our inception we have been a servant leader-driven church, praying always that many who are far from God will come to faith in Christ.  If you are not part of a church family anywhere in Ashtabula County, check us out.  Allow our family-friendly environment to capture your heart!  Our Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.   Hope Tots (nursery-preschool) and Hope Kids (Kindergarten-sixth grade) are available, too.  “Hope” to see you next Sunday!