The rightness or wrongness of gambling has long been controversial among Christians. Some say gambling is always wrong. Others say it’s only wrong when you can’t afford the stakes — if the price of losing the bet is more than you can prudently afford. I think all agree that it’s wrong to become addicted.
But like many spiritual questions, it’s the stories of those who’ve bet and lost that tell the tale far more so than the dry, metaphysical analysis. For example, consider the fate of this poor, sad man who bet against Alabama in the game against Auburn. And consider the lesson well …
Gambling could be defined as: paying to participate in a group attempting to see who can guess what horse (or dog, or team) will come in first place.
Not unlike paying to participate in a group trying to cypher the end of a movie, or a anticipate the end of a book.
In seeking a moment of entertainment, if you spend your money on a boring movie or a uninspired book–most would think you've been ripped off. But spend your money on a bad horse and many will think you've sinned.