Is betting a sin?

[His Blood Spoke My Name]

The twelfth Apostle is not Matthias as you may presume. It is Paul, made an Apostle by Jesus Christ Himself just has Jesus made the other eleven Apostles.


From ISBE:

2. Paul:

The very fact that the name "apostle" means what it does would point to the impossibility of confining it within the limits of the Twelve. (The "twelve apostles" of Re 21:14 is evidently symbolic; compare in Re 7:3 ff the restriction of God's sealed servants to the twelve tribes.) Yet there might be a tendency at first to do so, and to restrict it as a badge of honor and privilege peculiar to that inner circle (compare Ac 1:25). If any such tendency existed, Paul effectually broke it down by vindicating for himself the right to the name. His claim appears in his assumption of the apostolic title in the opening words of most of his epistles. And when his right to it was challenged, he defended that right with passion, and especially on these grounds: that he had seen Jesus, and so was qualified to bear witness to His resurrection (1Co 9:1; compare Ac 22:6 ff); that he had received a call to the work of an apostle (Ro 1:1; 1Co 1:1, etc.; Ga 2:7; compare Ac 13:2 ff; Ac 22:21); but, above all, that he could point to the signs and seals of his apostleship furnished by his missionary labors and their fruits (1Co 9:2; 2Co 12:12; Ga 2:8). It was by this last ground of appeal that Paul convinced the original apostles of the justice of his claim. He had not been a disciple of Jesus in the days of His flesh; his claim to have seen the risen Lord and from Him to have received a personal commission was not one that could be proved to others; but there could be no possibility of doubt as to the seals of his apostleship. It was abundantly clear that "he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for (Paul) also unto the Gentiles" (Ga 2:8). And so perceiving the grace that was given unto him, Peter and John, together with James of Jerusalem, recognized Paul as apostle to the Gentiles and gave him the right hand of fellowship (Ga 2:9).

The eleven prayed and asked God for another Apostle to replace Judas. God answered that prayer, He gave them Paul.

The eleven were chosen by Jesus, Paul was chosen by Jesus. Clear as day, he is the Twelfth Apostle.

 

[rbell]

Apparently they did do wrong. They did not wait for God to answer their prayer. They drew lots to see who was to replace Judas Iscariat. Instead of trusting God to point out who the Apostle was to be (I do not believe it was to be Matthias, but Paul), they took their chances.

There is no more mention of Matthias after his selection, but later Paul identifies himself as an Apostle.

Not disagreeing with whether they were wrong or not, but...

Why do we assume that there needed to be a replacement? Did God really need 12? He could do fine with 11, or 2, or 0...He's God.

 

[His Blood Spoke My Name]

see my post right before yours, rbell. that will clearly show Paul was the 12th chosen by Christ Himself.

Revelation speaks of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, so twelve was necessary.

 

[DeeJay]

see my post right before yours, rbell. that will clearly show Paul was the 12th chosen by Christ Himself.

Revelation speaks of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, so twelve was necessary.

Talking about games of luck and chance, and not who is and is not an Apostle,

Any comments about the other verses, like the one I posted from Proverbs?

 

[His Blood Spoke My Name]

Casting lots is a game of chance. The Apostles cast lots to see which one of two would replace Judas. They were wrong to gamble as they did. In the previous verse, they had prayed for God's guidance. They should have let Him guide.

 

[rbell]

I bet you all $10 I'm right!!!






:tonofbricks:

Sorry....carry on.

 

[His Blood Spoke My Name]

Solomon was saying that many times casting lots will stop a quarrel and mighty men who may be fighting each other will part because the lot was cast.

But...

Gambling also causes contentions and fighting between people. It has broken homes, caused people to live in poverty, suffering, etc.

 

[Steven2006]

Here are a few more verses that mention casting lots.

Joshua 14:2 ; 1Sam.14:42 ; 1Chr.25:8 ; Jonah 1:7

 

[DeeJay]

Solomon was saying that many times casting lots will stop a quarrel and mighty men who may be fighting each other will part because the lot was cast.

But...

Gambling also causes contentions and fighting between people. It has broken homes, caused people to live in poverty, suffering, etc.

I am talking about this

Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
Proverbs 18:18

That seems to be oposite your last sentence.

 

[DeeJay]

Solomon was saying that many times casting lots will stop a quarrel and mighty men who may be fighting each other will part because the lot was cast.

But...

Gambling also causes contentions and fighting between people. It has broken homes, caused people to live in poverty, suffering, etc.

So you are saying the verse in proverbs is wrong

 

[canadyjd]

What about shoping in a mall where some lady has a shoping addiction. Where she buys new shoes instead of feeding her family. Should we support the mall that allowes a guy to buy a gold watch instead of paying his bills. And then the guy looses his house and his kids live on the street.

Let's see... a Shopping mall is just like a Casino? That might be a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch since the regular, advertised activity in a mall isn't leading people to chase a pipe dream of riches.

peace to youraying:

 

[EdSutton]

Let's see... a Shopping mall is just like a Casino? That might be a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch since the regular, advertised activity in a mall isn't leading people to chase a pipe dream of riches.

peace to youraying:

Ten to one, you are right, here!

Ed

 

[ccdnt]

Let's see... a Shopping mall is just like a Casino? That might be a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch since the regular, advertised activity in a mall isn't leading people to chase a pipe dream of riches.

peace to youraying:

Setting aside the argument for a casino for the time being, then what about a group of people that want to get together at someone's house and play poker. Say all of these people understand how it works and are well aware of the very real possibility of losing money. These people are using money that they would otherwise use on some other form of entertainment (will not affect being able to pay bills, etc.). What would be wrong with this?

 

[canadyjd]

Setting aside the argument for a casino for the time being, then what about a group of people that want to get together at someone's house and play poker. Say all of these people understand how it works and are well aware of the very real possibility of losing money. These people are using money that they would otherwise use on some other form of entertainment (will not affect being able to pay bills, etc.). What would be wrong with this?

I have stated several times that Christians have liberty to do what their conscience and God's Word allow. You can create a hypothetical situation, as stated above, where only "etertainment" money is used, as if that is the only consideration.

My conscience might be troubled if I thought:

"Is there any place in scripture where Christians are seen gambling for money? No, there isn't."

"Does scripture warn against pursuing riches by games of chance or any other means? Yes it does."

"Is there some chance that gambling could hinder my testimony for my Lord? Yes it could."

"Is this glorifying my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ in some way? I can't see it glorifying Christ. If not, then why am I doing this?"

"Could my time and my money be used more productively in the cause of Christ? Of course, but I don't have to be legalistic about it."

"Is there some other activity I could do with my friends that would be enjoyable, and wouldn't result in someone loosing all his money? I am sure we could think of something."

"What are the chances one or more of my friends will be angry or resentful at having lost his money? Having been there, I can assure you the chances are pretty good and memories are very long."

peace to youraying:

 

[DeeJay]

Let's see... a Shopping mall is just like a Casino? That might be a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch since the regular, advertised activity in a mall isn't leading people to chase a pipe dream of riches.

peace to youraying:

Useing the criteria you give for not supporting casinos.

Here

Would you gamble at a casino if you could see the wrecked lives of the so-called "few" who can't control themselves?

Would you gamble at a casino if you knew a lady had embezzled money from a school to support her gambling addiction, and spent it at that casino? If you knew that same lady jumped into the moat around the casino and committed suicide?

A shoping mall fits. If you have other reasons not to support a casino you should list them. But taking from what you posted that casinos cause people to get into money trouble and therfore we should not use them. A shoping mall fits everything you listed and to be consistant you should not support shoping malls.

AND the regular advertised activity in the mall is leading people to spend further then they can afford. Dont believe it, then walk up the register in any large store and see what the first thing they say is.

Sir, Would you like to apply for a store credit card, and get %10 off your purchase?

 

[faithgirl46]

I have heard that is a sin becausethe money you used to gamble with could have Gone to God's works.
Faithgirl

 

[DeeJay]

"What are the chances one or more of my friends will be angry or resentful at having lost his money? Having been there, I can assure you the chances are pretty good and memories are very long."

peace to youraying:

You need new friends. And you should advise them not to spend money that they can not afford for entertainment. If you bet you should consider the money lost to entertainment, before you even make the bet. That way when you dont win, you will not be angry.

 

[DeeJay]

I have heard that is a sin becausethe money you used to gamble with could have Gone to God's works.
Faithgirl

So could the money you spend on the movies, music, fast food, plays, concerts, big gulps, etc.

That argument can only work if you apply it to ALL money spent for other then the basic needs of life. Unless you apply that reasoning to every purchase it is inconsistant.

 

[faithgirl46]

Where I grew up gambling was the normal thing to do.
Faithgirl

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

So could the money you spend on the movies, music, fast food, plays, concerts, big gulps, etc.

That argument can only work if you apply it to ALL money spent for other then the basic needs of life. Unless you apply that reasoning to every purchase it is inconsistant.

When you plop money down at the mall, movies, plays, concerts, for music, fast food, big gulps, etc., you KNOW you will get something in return. You are not taking any chances...