Jacob's Well: January 2007

“We’re not always going to like what we hear (preached). It’s because our lives don’t always match up with the Word of God. When two opposites cross it’s a contradiction and they create conflict. It’s called conviction! That’s a good thing. Embrace it!” – Kenny Ballard

This column is about the love of money in general, however, some have recently asked about gambling so I thought I’d address the issue.

To be honest, there is no passage in Scripture that says, “Thou shall not gamble.” The Bible does speak clearly, however, about the love of money as we’ll see below.

Do I personally think there is anything wrong with occasionally sitting around and playing a friendly game of poker on a Saturday night? Not really.

Do I think there is anything wrong with a desire to get rich quick? Well, yes.

Do I think there is anything wrong with measuring success and happiness by how much money we have? An astounding yes!

Consider this. Ever notice how sins tend to hang out together? One stroll down Bourbon St. as a Christian and you’ll get the idea (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Now think about Las Vegas. Why are so many things that displease God associated with gambling? Does the nickname “sin city” have nothing to do with gambling?

When it comes to areas that may not seem crystal clear, it is important to question our motives. It’s the reason I no longer drink. My motives weren’t pure and I want nothing more in the world than to glorify Christ. This is a trustworthy saying: Don’t walk in slippery places and you won’t fall. I encourage every Christian who reads the following to ask God to search their heart when it comes not only to gambling but money in general. We can fool others, even ourselves, but we can’t fool God. Whatever happens in Vegas, or anywhere for that matter, doesn’t stay there. God isn’t a fool. He knows our hearts.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV)
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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 griefs.

1 Timothy 17-19 (NIV)
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Luke 16:13 (NIV)
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)
A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 28:22 (NIV)
A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…

The Bible has a lot to say about practical issues of money and finances. Here are a few Scriptures on financial topics to get you started. There are 2350 Scriptures related to the handling of finances!

Accounting

· Matthew 18:23-35

· Matthew 25:14-30

Budgeting and Planning

· Proverbs 22:3

· Proverbs 24:3-4

· Proverbs 27:12

· Proverbs 27:23

· Luke 12:16-21

· Luke 14:28-30

· Luke 16:1-8

· 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Business Life

Attitudes and Actions

· Leviticus 19:12

· Psalm 112:5

· Proverbs 10:4

· Proverbs 13:4

· Proverbs 13:11

· Ecclesiastes 5:12

· Malachi 3:5

· Luke 6:35a

· Romans 12:11

· Ephesians 4:28

Honesty vs. Unjust Gain

· Deuteronomy 25:15

· Proverbs 11:1

· Proverbs 16:8

· Proverbs 22:16

· Proverbs 28:8

· Jeremiah 22:13

· Luke 16:10

Contentment

· Luke 3:14

· 2 Corinthians 6:10

· Philippians 4:11 and 12

· 1 Timothy 6:6-10

· Hebrews 13:5

Cosigning Notes

· Proverbs 6:1-5

· Proverbs 11:15

· Proverbs 17:18

· Proverbs 22:26

Debt

· Deuteronomy 15:6

· Psalm 37:21

· Proverbs 3:27-28

· Proverbs 22:7

· Romans 13:8

Discipline

· 2 Corinthians 8:11

· Hebrews 12:11

Facts

· Proverbs 14:8-15

· Proverbs 18:13

· Proverbs 19:2

· Proverbs 27:23-24

· Luke 14:31-32

Inheritance

· Proverbs 13:22

· Proverbs 17:2

· Proverbs 20:21

· Ecclesiastes 2:18-19

· Ezekiel 46: 16-18

· Luke 15:11-31

Investments

· Proverbs 24:27

· Matthew 25:14-30

· 2 Peter 3:10

Money

· Luke 16:1-13

Needs

· Matthew 6:25-33

Planning

· Genesis 37-41 - Joseph's example

· Proverbs 21:5

Prosperity

· Genesis 39:3

· 2 Chronicles 31:21

· Psalm 1:1-3

· Psalm 35:27

· Proverbs 10:22

· Proverbs 28:13

· Jeremiah 17:8-10

· 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

· Philippians 4:19

Provision

· Genesis 41 - Provision was through a PLAN

· Exodus 15 - Moses

· 1 Kings 17 - Elijah

· 2 Kings 4 - Elisha

· John 21:2-6 - Peter

· Matthew 4:11 - Jesus

· Luke 12:7 - His People

Prudence (Wisdom)

· Psalm 112:5

· Proverbs 8:12

· Proverbs 12:16, 23

· Proverbs 13:16

· Proverbs 14:8, 15, 18

· Proverbs 15:5

· Proverbs 16:21

· Proverbs18:15

· Proverbs 22:3

· Proverbs 27:12

· Hosea 14:9

· Amos 5:12-13

Saving

· Proverbs 21:20

· Proverbs 30:24-25

Slothfulness

· Proverbs 18:9

· Proverbs 24:30-34

· Ecclesiastes 10:18

· 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12

· Hebrews 6:12

Speculation (Get-Rich-Quick Schemes)

· Proverbs 12:11

· Proverbs 13:11

· Proverbs 14:15

· Proverbs 19:2

· Proverbs 21:5

· Proverbs 23:4

· Proverbs 28:19-20

· Ecclesiastes 5:15-17

Tithing and Giving

· Deuteronomy 14:23

· Proverbs 3:9 and 10

· Malachi 3:10

· Matthew 23:23

· 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

· 2 Corinthians 8: 13-14

· 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

· Hebrews 7:1-2

Waste

· Luke 15:13

· John 6:12

Wealth

· Deuteronomy 8

· Psalm 50:10-12

· Proverbs 30:8-9

· Ecclesiastes 2:26