We Want to Be Like All the Other States

In the days of the prophet Samuel, the people of Israel came to Samuel and said in effect, “We want to be ‘like all the nations’ who have a king” (1 Samuel 8:5; 1 Samuel 8:20). In these days leading up to a state-wide ballot issue, I hear people saying that they want this state to be like all the surrounding states that have casino gambling.

Interestingly enough, some of the loudest voices of opposition are from the gambling industry. Those who operate racetrack betting are opposing the plan to allow casino gambling in the state. One wonders about their motives.

Most of the arguments that I have heard for and against this issue have nothing to do with what God might say about the issue, or with what is right and wrong, or out of a concern for righteousness, but only with a view to presumed economic effects and the promised financial future.

In a time of economic recession when many have lost jobs, the promise of new jobs is appealing, but at what price? When schools systems are struggling financially, the promise of a new source of funds sounds inviting, but what is the hidden cost?

It has been said that legalized gambling is a tax on the poor, because those who are least able to afford it are the ones who are sucked in by the promise of quick and easy riches. Paychecks that should be going to put food on the table and a roof over the heads of family members are drawn to lotteries and racetracks and casinos like moths to a flame, with the same deadly result.

God’s will is that we provide for our families by doing honest work, offering a product or service of value in exchange for compensation (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; 1 Timothy 5:8). But gambling encourages idleness and vain hopes. It leads to the slavery of addiction, and brings with it a host of other evils, like destruction of marriages and families, increased violence and crime, and drug and alcohol abuse to numb the pain of large financial losses.

Jonah was called to speak out against evil in his day (Jonah 1:2). The church is called to speak out against evil in the present day. If you are part of the church, you are called to raise your voice. On this particular issue, you can speak out in the quietness of the polling booth and make your voice heard at the ballot box.