Gambling

[hat_town21]

My personal view is this. If you keep it as fun entertainment and follow some safe rules it's ok. Nobody has a problem spending money to see a movie...well if you don't go to movies but you like playing the slots or playing poker...go for it...another tip...always bring cash to the casino and leave your credit/debit cards at home. When/if you spend all you have you can't grab for the card and get yourself in trouble...

[felix]

Thanks. Great and sound advice.

I see that selfishness is especially involved in poker. Wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others. I think that will hinder the testimony of Christ to such people. LadyC, that is a very wise way to approach gambling. I don't think gambling itself is "sinful". I think this is due to the fact that gambling involves money and gamblers are in search or in 'love' of money. Thus this goes to the "root of all evil is the love of money". Gambling and money itself is not "sinful" but the LOVE of money is. This is what should be safeguarded against.

I sister had a dream concerning gambling. I will share it in "prophecy".

[hat_town21]

"Wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others" So do you not like sports?

[Spunky]

I'm an avid online poker player for the playstation2,

Although it is only play money You still deal with real

people and the addiction is still there the exstent of

hostility at a losing hand is very noticeable, my husband

and I try to give good starter money to any newbies we

meet as to encourage them to do the same so in a way

they realize it is only play money and charitability goes

along way in all endevoers in life.

If you choose to do real money poker stay offline and go

to a casino with a buddy that is against poker and will hold

your wallet only giving you the initial amount you said you

wanted to spend at the casino and no more, online poker has

many built in cheats so that other players can see your cards.

Other than saying don't do it at all, I hope what I've said will

help if you choose to Gamble.

God Bless

[RustyAngeL]

I am married to a compulsive gambler. He goes to the off track betting in a casino about 60 miles from us every weekend. I can tell you first hand of the devastation this disease causes. His whole personality has changed and our marriage has been on the rocks more then once. He has put us in impossible financial situations more then once. We almost lost our house because at one time he didn't make a payment for almost four months. I have seen him go through his entire weeks wages in just hours. I work three jobs and believe me if I didn't we would be in trouble all the time. No stay away from it and don't even go there. There is no promise of making money and like the old saying goes, " The odds are always with the house" If I had my way every casino that wasn't in Las Vegas would be burned. I hate everything that is connected with gambling.

[CellShade]

I am married to a compulsive gambler. He goes to the off track betting in a casino about 60 miles from us every weekend. I can tell you first hand of the devastation this disease causes. His whole personality has changed and our marriage has been on the rocks more then once. He has put us in impossible financial situations more then once. We almost lost our house because at one time he didn't make a payment for almost four months. I have seen him go through his entire weeks wages in just hours. I work three jobs and believe me if I didn't we would be in trouble all the time. No stay away from it and don't even go there. There is no promise of making money and like the old saying goes, " The odds are always with the house" If I had my way every casino that wasn't in Las Vegas would be burned. I hate everything that is connected with gambling.

Sorry to hear that Rusty Angel.

Yes gambling is awfully addicted, and trust me, no gambling is for fun, when you gamble with money and things involving money, you are not doing it for fun, let's face it, it's to try to win money by risking what you have earned honorfully, if you just want to , ''play for fun'' then by all means play free online poker or no betting poker with your friends, betting is cursed as for the reason that romans betted Jesus's clothing.

[felix]

"Wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others" So do you not like sports?

I see why you would ask this question but please read what I am trying to convey again...

"I see that selfishness is especially involved in poker. Wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others. I think that will hinder the testimony of Christ to such people. "

This is in particular for the testimony of Christ.

There is such a perspective on sports as mentioned...(wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others; ie selfishness). My perspective on sports is primarily fun and entertainment yet it is true that "wanting the best for ourselves at the lost of others" is a big part of it. However, this is particular stronger in poker....(you compete against each other and the goal is to get their money...whereas sports have other types of goal according to the game).

I believe the Lord is leading us to the following dream...

http://www.worthyboards.com/index.php?showtopic=38193

please read this

[hat_town21]

I guess I just don't understand. I know i'm probably sounding like i'm trying to nit pick but I don't get it. Whether it's an addiction or for fun you CHOOSE to sit at that table with your money. Whether you are there soley just to get more money or you have more money than sense and just there to blow it. In baseball nobody steps up to the plate and lets the pitcher strike them out. Baseball is really big with relationships because many players have played for 2+ teams and know many many people in the game. If i'm batting against Pedro Martinez and he's my buddy...i'm not going to just stand there and let 3 fast balls strike me out. I want to hit the ball, I want MY stats to go up, I want the fame, and I want the glory. Baseball is a team sport yes...what you do out there effects the whole team...but honestly...if you put it in the practice/game/workingout/videos hours they put in you want the whole deal. You want to win, you want your team to do well, you want to earn and make more money you want many things that when it comes down to it are all very selfish. If the motives weren't selfish than your best friend would dominate you at everything, if someone is in a slump you'd throw an 85mph fastball down the middle everytime and hope he hits a homerun...etc...

Poker: you're there to win money...

Baseball/sports:you're there to win period.

In my mind I can't find any difference.

[Guest LadyC]

hat_town, you really can't see the difference between playing for entertainment purposes and playing to gamble for gain?

have you ever gone to a concert? how much did that cost you? an average of $50+ per ticket if you're where i am.

or when's the last time you took a date to a movie? let's see, per person here, that's $20 just for the tickets to get in, plus another $20 on sodas and popcorn, at least.

when's the last time you played putt putt golf? or REAL golf? when's the last time you went out and bought a couple of CD's or fictional novels? or video, or here, this is a good one, do you own a PlayStation?

have you never stopped and played an arcade game?

the difference is the intent of the heart. if you are going to a casino or a theater or anywhere else and limiting yourself to a budget to enjoy an evening of entertainment, one is no more a sin than the other. neither is wrong if it is not being put before other financial obligations.

[hat_town21]

I was replying to the selfish aspect of playing poker.