The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

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

Previous Thread

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Ok, all the hair splitting aside, which one of you guys is gonna look your wife and kids in the face and tell them when I die and if I didn't invest well, your all on your own because I don't believe in gambling and insurance is a gamble?

Life insurance is a must for anyone with family and little personal wealth.

BigMack

[SoothingDave]

The more general definition of gambling is simply that of taking a risk. It can be effectively argued, I believe, that Christian living would not exclude all such risk.

A more narrow definition of gambling has to do with gaming (i.e. where you stake resource and obtain a return, either positive or negative, from the results of a game). It is likely that, such activity, which could be characterized as ... playing with your money ... could be considered wasteful and, therefore, would not be an example of good Christian stewardship.

Some forms appear more to be a "game" and have a more immediate resolution. But someone who trades stock for a hobby is just as much playign a game, as is a spoiled rich person who opens a nightclub or store just for the fun of it.

On the other hand, there are people who earn their living playing poker or blackjack. It's not a game for them.

SD

[malakhi]

Ok, all the hair splitting aside, which one of you guys is gonna look your wife and kids in the face and tell them when I die and if I didn't invest well, your all on your own because I don't believe in gambling and insurance is a gamble? Life insurance is a must for anyone with family and little personal wealth.

Oh, I agree. It is important in the event that it is needed. The likelihood that it will be needed is small. But a prudent person won't take that risk.

[SoothingDave]

Ok, all the hair splitting aside, which one of you guys is gonna look your wife and kids in the face and tell them when I die and if I didn't invest well, your all on your own because I don't believe in gambling and insurance is a gamble?

My point exactly. I say what I say not to condemn insurance, but to get some to recognize that many different activities involve the risk of capital for a potential payoff. We can not say that these are all inherently sinful.

That is my point. I don't believe insurance is sinful (in fact the opposite), and I don't believe capitalism is sinful (the pursuit of profit) and I don't believe recreational gambling is sinful. Necessarily. It can be, of course, like drinking can be a problem.

SD

[Quester]

On the other hand, there are people who earn their living playing poker or blackjack. It's not a game for them.

Would you say that such would be a legimate form of income generation for a christian ?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The likelihood that it will be needed is small.

Wisconsin 46,672 total deaths in the state 2002

You could be next!

Have I told you about Jesus? :)

BigMack

[SoothingDave]

Would you say that such would be a legimate form of income generation for a christian ?

2413 Games of chance (card games, etc.) or wagers are not in themselves contrary to justice. They become morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement. Unfair wagers and cheating at games constitute grave matter, unless the damage inflicted is so slight that the one who suffers it cannot reasonably consider it significant.

I would say, yes if these criteria are met. I guess it hinges on what exactly is meant by "depriving" someone of "what is necessary to provide for his needs and the needs of others."

If someone is not cheating, or "enslaved" or depriving what is needed to take care of himself and family, I see no objection.

SD

[malakhi]

Have I told you about Jesus? :)

Jesus who?

Steven said something about a guy named Yeshua. Perhaps he can tell us more about him. ;o)

[malakhi]

BTW, you never answered me yesterday. What commandments does the Holy Spirit help you follow?

[Mr. Lucky]

As an expereinced agrarian, he doubtless hedged his long physical position with a short future contract using the small contracts available on the Mid-America Commodity Exchange.

[SoothingDave]

I remember the good old carefree days of my youth. I used to hedge my long physical position three or four times a week.

SD

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

No questions! You got more mail. :)

BigMack

[Mr. Lucky]

That's not right.

[malakhi]

I still like GE and MSFT.

[malakhi]

No questions! You got more mail. :)

Oh, great. ;o)

If its anything near as long the one yesterday, I'll have to read it tonight.

[malakhi]

Here is another good one, if you don't mind owning a company that has a tobacco business and also has alcohol holdings. MO - formerly Philip Morris, now called by the more generic-and-unassociated-with-tobacco name "Altria Group". Price is near a 52 week low, P/E under 6, 14.3% profit margin, 1.20 debt/equity, and a whopping 8.27% dividend yield! If the stock doesn't appreciate a dime over the next year, you'd still make 8% on it!

[malakhi]

Gasp!

[ksen]

It's a bad thing if he's got it on and you can still see him.

[ventana]

Yeah, that means you are a wraith.

[ksen]

Or it means he's Sauron....