GAMBLING PART TWO: A Biblical position

Rev. Dr. Melvin A. Turnbull, Senior Pastor, CANE GARDEN BAY BAPTIST CHURCH                                                                                                                       

It has become extremely necessary for me to revisit the subject of Gambling given the present climate of the territory. The Virgin Islands is at the crossroads of history and its development: We are still trying to recover from the ravages of the flood and storms of 2017; our Financial Services industry is still under attack; and the fluidity and impact of the worldwide pandemic COVID-19 are very real.  Life as we knew it has been forever altered. 

In times of uncertainty we need to rely on the One who has proven to be “…our help in ages past… and shelter from the stormy blast – Jehovah, our God and we must also resist the sin of idolatry. 

It was with a heavy heart that I prayed at the Sixth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on the 27th of March, 2020: “…Forgive us Heavenly Father for speaking out of both sides of our mouths: we call you Lord and Provider on one hand, and on the other hand we intend to legalize sin in order to augment our economy or placate the boisterous. Remind us Heavenly Father that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Help us, like Joshua, to decisively choose to follow you wholeheartedly and desist from using your name to propagate our own selfish agenda…”

The bill entitled GAMBLING (GAMING AND BETTING) CONTROL ACT, 2020 was on the order paper of that day and later withdrawn. The bill has since been introduced and had its first and second readings in the House of Assembly in a subsequent sitting. The bill is again on the order paper of this present sitting of the House. It is the right of any government to pass any legislation it deems necessary. 

However, I have read the bill. In its present form it is at best dangerous, and even with amendments it will still contradict our often claim as a ‘Christian nation.’ So, my purpose today is to address the issue of duplicity; otherwise referred to as contradiction or hypocrisy. When faced with the same paradox, Jesus asked his audience, “Why do you call me Lord and do not the things I say?”

I propose the following for your consideration:

Morality cannot be legislated, so, why should we legalize ‘sin’ in any form?are we prepared for the many ills that accompany legalized gambling?  How do we explain to the next generation that we trust God to supply our needs and yet resort to gambling to supplement our revenue? Why would we engage in practices that can potentially entangle us again with the yoke of bondage? How can we call for freedom and equality, and then subject our people to potentially addictive practices? How can we be adamant about following the advice of the experts regarding, for example, COVID-19 but blatantly ignore or even denounce the warnings and dangers concerning legalized gambling? 

Sometimes percentages of the profits from gambling are used for a good cause. Does the end therefore justify the means? Assuming we all want what’s best for the Virgin Islands – our intention is good. Why should we ‘judge’ another’s actions and expect others to ‘judge’ only our intentions?  are we prepared to further erode the fiber of society in the name of financial prosperity? In other words, are we going to use our health to get wealth and then spend that wealth to regain our health? Do we wish to be numbered among the likes of pro-life proponents who fight for the unborn, but show little or no concern for his quality of life? Even if one argues that there is no biblical law against gambling, how does he explain the biblical principle of “shunning the very appearance of evil” – is it not better to err on the side of caution? And the probing continues …  

A Call to Choose I appeal to the statesman in all our politicians, the conviction of our spiritual leaders and the good sense in all of our people to: do the research and be guided by the facts and stats show you care more for the next generation than for the next election call on the creative genius of all the people of the Virgin Islands to come up with wholesome alternatives that do not comprise our convictions and jeopardize the well-being of our territory manifest synergy in what we say and do – no more duplicity for scripture says: “… a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8) and “… whatsoever  a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Do the things that are consistent with our Christian values and truly honour the faith and goodwill of our ancestors or else denounce our claims of being a God-fearing people – “… choose …  whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15)                                                            

Scriptural Reflections: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5)

“If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7)

“… people are slaves to whatever has mastered them” (2 Peter 2:19)

“An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies” (Proverbs 14:5)

“… they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong” (Psalm 36:4)

“If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you” (Proverbs 22:27)

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13)  

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle” (Proverbs 23:4-5)

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12)

“Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and right?” (Proverbs 20:11)

“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD” (Proverbs 16:2)

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”(I Timothy 6:10-11)

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself… 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God…. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies” (Matthew 22:37-39; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25)

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1)

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34)