More thoughts about Gambling

I never said I was against gambling. I did say the love of gambling (or you could say "work") can be a problem because of the ethic of gambling. There are various forms of gambling. The biggest issue of gambling is "luck". Often God controls a person's luck. If you are a Reformed Theologian, you would understand that. God governs the world (Isa. 40:22-24), the nations (Isa. 40:15-17), and us (Proverbs 16:9). Matthew 10:29 [I]Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.[/I] God leads us to our destiny according to His will and glory. No matter what we do, God is always guiding us through our circumstances (good and bad). Nothing is impossible for Him. God is Good and at the same time, God is Holy and Sovereign. Making a success of something has nothing to do with luck. Care, thought, and study go into making something succeed; luck is something you get playing the lottery or roulette. I have played lottery and been part of the football and basketball pool. I do this for fun rather than greed. My motive have to be determined why I am playing (gambling). I like to have fun so I do put in a few bucks in football or basketball pools and lottery once in awhile. Regarding "Context" ....in my explanation for I Cor. 8:9, 13. As long as our conscience is clear and our heart is pure before God, don't be concerned with issues. That is GRACE. In Romans 14:5 "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." 1 Corinthians 10:28-29 "both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake, the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?" To avoid causing others to stumble is itself strong incentive to walk by the Spirit. "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). To avoid causing others to stumble when judging is itself strong incentive to walk by the Spirit. Biblically, Christians are no longer "in the flesh": "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). For me as a believer to reach out to those who are lost is a privilege and a responsibility. I have to be careful to do it for God's glory and not mine. Discern between right and wrong Hebrews 5:14 (New Living Translation) "Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right." Nothing is black and white. People have issues with gambling, drinking and other issues. [B]This all boils down to a Christian's relationship with the Lord and people around that person. [/B]