Seeking advice

[The Seeker]

Ok first, please forgive me if this isn't in the right place. I haven't figured everything out here yet.
I have been at my current job since mid 2015. In my area it's the largest employer. Thanks to this job, my family has health insurance. I also have cancer and get scanned every four months and will have exploratory surgery within the next month.
With all this I still am having a difficult time with the job. I work at a casino. Yeah I know.
None of the above is an excuse, but I am seeking advice on how to deal with it. I am not willing to leave the job at this time because I am the source for our insurance. Prior to me getting this job I was laid off from my previous job. We are still paying two years later for one of my surgeries during the time I was laid off and had a low level of ogarbagecare. It was $600 a month and covered almost nothing.
Again not an excuse.
So how do I allow myself to keep the job and still please God?
I have privately evangelized one coworker and he has since been saved!
I'm not trying to justify the job, I know it's wrong. I'm seeking y'alls opinions on #1 how do you think God would view this? And #2 how would God have me handle it?
Thank you in advance.

 

[HankD]

If I were your pastor I would say - keep praying and look for another job.
I couldn't give you a position of authority in the church however, people are probably tongue-wagging as it is.
Assuming you are attending a church of course.
Otherwise same advice.

I had an acquaintance (Christian, church attender) in the same situation (yes, working at a Casino) when fervent prayer was brought to God she had a new job in about two months.

You are on my prayer list Seeker (health restoration, new job).

HankD

 

[The Seeker]

Thank you HankD.
I have been in prayer about it since before applying for the job. I felt at the time that God would guide me and though I had/have guilt I got the job.
I am attending church and have brought it up in Sunday School. The response I got was basically- why would I have a problem with it? My area has almost no jobs and the casino has been a big economy boost, but they don't see and deal with what I do there. I've gotten only positive reactions from the church members. Yet I still have great issue with it. The area I live in is rural and I think it's similar to living in the 80's or earlier. People still deal with a handshake, people are farmers, and a mans word is valuable and meaningful. I'm not sure people even have a clue as to what I'm seeing. I've (thankfully) not seen one church member there. But Sunday afternoons are one of our largest volume days! The casino is one of the very few businesses open on weekends. The area is full of churches also. I don't see a lot of locals in there at all.
I will continue in prayer.
I appreciate your response. Thank you for praying for me.

 

[HankD]

Thank you HankD.
I have been in prayer about it since before applying for the job. I felt at the time that God would guide me and though I had/have guilt I got the job.
I am attending church and have brought it up in Sunday School. The response I got was basically- why would I have a problem with it? My area has almost no jobs and the casino has been a big economy boost, but they don't see and deal with what I do there. I've gotten only positive reactions from the church members. Yet I still have great issue with it. The area I live in is rural and I think it's similar to living in the 80's or earlier. People still deal with a handshake, people are farmers, and a mans word is valuable and meaningful. I'm not sure people even have a clue as to what I'm seeing. I've (thankfully) not seen one church member there. But Sunday afternoons are one of our largest volume days! The casino is one of the very few businesses open on weekends. The area is full of churches also. I don't see a lot of locals in there at all.
I will continue in prayer.
I appreciate your response. Thank you for praying for me.

It's weighing on your mind or you wouldn't be asking for advice.
Perhaps you wonder about all the approval you are getting from church members?

While personally (having been in a pastoral position) I can give temporary positive advice but I wouldn't say its a good permanent job for you.

Even if you lived in the Sahara desert God could supply a job for you right where you stood.

Examine your heart Seeker and be sure you are not looking for the approval of people to soothe your conscience.
Only God can give you true and lasting peace.

HankD

 

[TCassidy]

What do you do at the casino?

 

[The Seeker]

I'm a surveillance officer. I have a military and police background. Due to my health and our family decisions I am not looking to return to police work.

HankD - yes obviously it bothers me a lot or I wouldn't have asked.
Why I am asking is to get more opinions on the whole thing. People at church whom I respect and admire are telling me it's ok, so is my understanding incorrect from my perspective or are they (those whom are model Christians in my eyes) right in justifying it? Is it ok to do this job?
As a cop I saw far worse but somehow that job doesn't bring those feelings in my mind.
I think of being a correctional officer in nearly the same way as the casino- bad. Not much good can be found.
However, I do know that I am having a positive influence on SOME of my coworkers.
So I'm just confused I guess.
Am I supposed to quit a job that provides important things my family? If I wasn't sick it would probably be different, though as I said before jobs here are scarce and jobs with insurance are almost nonexistent.

 

[Don]

I'm not trying to justify your job; along with Hank, my response is to pray.

But do consider something: Nehemiah took the king his wine (Nehemiah 2:1).

Be a good servant where you are, until God releases you to something else.

 

[StefanM]

I personally don't have a problem with someone's working in a casino (Except for maybe a few positions---yours isn't on the list).

But if you feel like it's wrong, then do whatever you can to get out. I would never want to advise someone to violate their conscience.

 

[HankD]

I hope you are encouraged Seeker with all these brethren praying for you.
There are many I am sure that don't post but read and pray.

Being a security officer is a good job in terms of working at a Casino.

More important of course is a healthy relationship with your Lord.

Further advice: Be patient and try to excel at what you do there.
God will provide you with another job when the time is right.

HankD

 

[The Seeker]

Thanks for all the responses. I am encouraged by it.
I'm not in security actually. I'm behind closed doors looking at thousands of cameras. I see way too much of what goes on and it is sad really.
While on the train of thought I am curious as to why being a security officer is ok and maybe (speculating here) being a cocktail server or dealer is not? It's all the same pool of money that pays us, those two are supplimented by tips also. Several have responded with this. Why is any position in a casino good or bad in this sense?

I will be in constant prayer about it. I just don't see many doors flying open in my area, with my background and health concerns.

DON - wow thank you for giving me scripture. I value that immensely.

Can y'all point me to more scripture on this - for or against I would love more words straight from scripture.

 

[The Seeker]

Be a good servant where you are, until God releases you to something else.

This is exactly how I've been able to somewhat make peace with it.

 

[HankD]

While on the train of thought I am curious as to why being a security officer is ok and maybe (speculating here) being a cocktail server or dealer is not? It's all the same pool of money that pays us, those two are supplimented by tips also. Several have responded with this. Why is any position in a casino good or bad in this sense?

Can y'all point me to more scripture on this - for or against I would love more words straight from scripture.

Because the focus of your work is on keeping the rules and keeping it legal and not giving support/sustenance to the gambling and drinking.

But you are correct, there is no difference apart from your witness to others if you are doing it as unto the Lord.

Scripture: Maybe this passage applies maybe not.
Probably not if folks at church are OK with your work position.

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

But this one applies:
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

If you are letting the Lord know that you are conflicted then be patient.

You might read Luke 18:1-7 While the lord did not speak well of repetitious prayer, He did speak well of persistent prayer by way of a parable.

HankD

 

[The Seeker]

Thank you HankD - all apply to me I believe. I will go read them tonight when I'm done helping with homework, baking my homemade bread, and doing home chores.
God bless you all for your assistance.

 

[HankD]

Thank you HankD - all apply to me I believe. I will go read them tonight when I'm done helping with homework, baking my homemade bread, and doing home chores.
God bless you all for your assistance.

Thanks

HankD

 

[TCassidy]

I'm a surveillance officer.

I am a retired pastor, and if you were a member of my church I would have no problem at all with you working in surveillance in a casino. God gave you a good job that provides for your needs. Hang on to it.

 

[HankD]

I am a retired pastor, and if you were a member of my church I would have no problem at all with you working in surveillance in a casino. God gave you a good job that provides for your needs. Hang on to it.

I agree, hang on to it. If God wants you elsewhere He will provide.

HankD

 

[The Seeker]

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
HankD

Looking at 22 and 23. Wow!

 

[The Seeker]

Thanks again to all.

 

[HankD]

View attachment 1118

Looking at 22 and 23. Wow!

Why? the word "damned" or your liberty in Christ?

Paul is speaking to believers here so "damned" means a strong condemnation not eternal damnation.
No one is concerned about your job or stumbling into doubt.

The other speaks for itself.

Are you newly saved?

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

HankD

 

[The Seeker]

Well starting in verse 14 I thought "nothing unclean of itself" and "all things indeed are pure" from 20 would mean that my job alone is not "unclean" no matter what it is.

Was I off base there?

I was saved "for real" in 2014, and was baptized on 9/7/14 - praise Jesus!
The for real just means I thought I was saved before but I wasn't. Now I know the difference.