Posted on 03/30/2002 7:53:37 PM PST by malakhi
Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams |
Becky
I think having more money doesn't really solve anything. The same problems are still going to be there and may even become worse. The United States is the richest nation in the world but we are still morally corrupt compared to some poorer countries.
And I don't know about there, but here in Michigan "tribes" are sometimes composed of people who don't even live on reservations but instead have a certain amount of Indian blood and are thus entitled to share in the proceeds. They may already have a nice job and home. It's really nothing more than big business...a greed grab.
At a past job, I used to sometimes used to install software in the business offices of the casinoes here in Michgan. I know for a fact that the smart ones pay people from Las Vegas or Atlantic City to essentially come in and run the casino's for them. So your donations are going to enrich them also. Wouldn't a better solution be to give your money directly to a poor Indian if you're concerned about that?
Wow...talk about ethical dilemmas.
Lol, I can just hear some representative from the Vatican, reading a 60 page study on why it's alright for the RC Church to accept winnings from casino gamblers. Lol
JH :-)
I was sure you would know I was kidding by even suggesting Jesus would not mind going for such "noble purposes".Becky,I am not going to even think about writing the hilarious response I had for your comment. Interesting though.
Sorry, you have to be pretty clear with me...just ask cindy dawg. :-)
I have known many many Chrisitians who think it's perfectly okay to go up to the casinos every weekend rain or shine. Sorry for mixing you up...
Every one who sets aside 20 bucks to game in place of going to a movie or out to dinner is going again Biblical principles of lust, greed and giving to others?
When you gamble what aren't you coveting someone else's money?
You don't have to be. Some people enjoy the game. Sometimes it makes the competition a higher level.
Don't you desire to win the casino's money or someone else's money?
Doesn't the movie theatre desire your money or someone else's money? A professional sports team gets your money. Is watching a sporting event idolatry? (it can be)Same with gambling. You'd need to see what's in the heart before making a judgement.
. Not really, old wise one :'). Just making two comments here. 1. There are always exceptions, King David being one, but there are signs if someone is really saved but only God knows the heart. 2. We should be very careful that what we put into our bodies is not going to affect our walk with Christ.
Me either. I just knew someone who had been divorced (both at fault) got saved and went to a seminary and became a preacher.
I haven't found any contradictions in the Bible. You need to go to the scriptures that are very clear first. The Doc posted several on #51165. If verses seem to conflict I have found that I am the one misunderstanding. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand. Also reading the complete passage helps me when I get stuck.
Paul says this: 1Cr 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. So Paul is saying -to believers in the Lord- that they must run in this race in order to obtain -Salvation, what else?- and that even he must struggle against sin (keep his body under subjection) in order that he will not lose his salvation.
Read what Paul also says in Acts 13:48. Since he wrote this, to me it means he was talking about "our walk" (or run :')) after salvation. Paul is either contradicting himself or the verses mean something else. I vote for the latter,but JH explains it in the post he sent to you, much better than I can.
But my story is still a true story. The talk of gambling just made me think of it.
Becky
On some basic level perhaps so. Movies are usually all about glorifying things that are antithetical to Christianity. Blowing 50 bucks on a dinner that we could have prepared ourselves is probably not the greatest thing either.
Maybe that's why the gate is so narrow. I don't know. What I believe is that Christ will progressively "holify" (is that a word?) us so that these things become less and less frequent. In the meantime God understands that these things are part of the society we live in and that they're unavoidable to a certain extent. Total separation from society isn't the new testament norm.
Doesn't the movie theatre desire your money or someone else's money? A professional sports team gets your money. Is watching a sporting event idolatry? (it can be)Same with gambling. You'd need to see what's in the heart before making a judgement.
Then I don't ever want to see any criticism of catholics from you for praying to statues or dead saints because there is no difference as far as I can see. :-).
But you're right, I shouldn't be critical or judgmental of those who do gamble because except for the grace of God there I go.
I don't know. It would feel wrong to me. It's almost like saying that how you got the money is okay as long as it's legal. If an abortionist donated 80K would that be accepted?
Watch out for those low punches. Lol
Your right though, if we become spiritually passive, for fear of being called judgmental, then so be it.
JH :-)
More on the subject.
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
V-18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
V-19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
V-20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; that I might gain them that are without law.
V-22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
V-24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
V-25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
V-26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
V-27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. This is all about good works and heavenly rewards, not salvation. Note the references to rewards used in those 11 verses.
I have a reward
that I might gain them
that I might gain them
I might gain
that I might be partaker thereof
but one receiveth the prize?
that ye may obtain
that striveth for the mastery
obtain a corruptible crown;
I myself should be a castaway/worthless/rejected/unapproved.
From verse 17, its all about rewards and gains and receiving and obtaining. And as verse 25 says, Paul is talking about his incorruptible heavenly crown.
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
There will be many crowns awarded to the saved.
A crown for righteousness. 2 Tim 4:8,
A crown for standing fast in the Lord. Phlip 4:1
A crown of rejoicing.1 Thess 2:19
The crown of life. James 1:12
JH :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.