A Biblical Worldview-

Many of us say the Lord's Prayer on a regular basis. When we pray “Thy Kingdom come,

Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven “. It is hard to imagine that a Casino will advance the Kingdom of God, or that it is God's will for our community.

When we pray “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” we are praying

to remove obstacles in our lives, so that we may grow closer to God. Why would we

want a casino in our community that we know will be an obstacle to some of us, our

family members, and neighbors?

A Collection of Applicable Bible Verses:

Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NASB1995) - The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions

Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. Casinos trap people into thinking that more money quicker will result in more happiness, but this passage teaches us that all of our exertions to get more will prove empty, like trying to grasp the wind. They provide no lasting happiness or profit. Only God provides ultimate satisfaction.

Matthew 6:24 (NASB1995) - Fasting; The True Treasure; Wealth

No one can serve two masters; for 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 wealth. Casinos tempt us to give our allegiance to wealth more than to God, but this passage reminds us that God alone is Lord. He is the Creator and the Master of all; we must give our allegiance to Him rather than trying to split our allegiance between God and Wealth; sooner or later they will conflict.

Proverbs 13:11 (NASB1995) - Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles, but the one who gathers by labor increases it. Casinos fool us into thinking that an abundance of wealth lasts forever, but this passage tells us that things that come easy, often go easy. Wealth obtained without labor tends to leave quickly becasue we have no "skin in the game." Casino jackpots cost us little, so we spend them frivolously.

Proverbs 28:20 (NASB1995) - Warnings and Instructions

A Faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. Casinos are a massive example of a get rich quick scheme, and this passage teaches us that those who make haste to get rich make sinful choices along the way that must be punished. How foolish it would be to gain the whole world but lose one's own soul, but that is exactly what casinos offer, the world in exchange for our souls.

Proverbs 28:22 (NASB1995) - Warnings and Instructions

A Man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him.

1 Timothy 6:9-11 (NASB1995) - Instructions to Those Who Minister

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Casinos promise riches and what many think is "the good life," but this passage reminds us that riches are fraught with dangers. Riches can become a god which will lead us away from faith in God and casue many griefs. And that is just the start, becasue loving money becomes a root to all kinds of other temptations and evil. We are better off pursuing God through Jesus where true wisdom lies.

What Type of activity advances the Kingdom of God?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or

praiseworthy- think about such things. Casinos tempt us to spend our time thinking and dreaming of being rich, but this passage encourages us to think about higher things. We must discipline our thoughts to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. This takes great discipline and discernment, but God's Spirit can turn our thoughts away from empty riches towards things that reflect God's goodness.