What Happens In Vegas…
…Now happens on your smartphone!
If you watch sports, almost every commercial entices you to use your smartphone to gamble. There’s even the promise of “free money” when you place your first bet. Not surprisingly, the American Psychiatric Association reports that more than 1 in 4 Americans now gamble online at least once a day!
Have you placed your bet today?
I was curious why anyone would throw hard-earned money on an electronic table knowing full well the odds are stacked against them. I Googled a list of recent surveys about the rapid rise of online gambling. The surveys said:
- Massive doses of targeted advertising works and attracts new users.
- Technology makes it convenient.
- New users have a variety of motivations including: wanting to be entertained; the “near misses” of almost winning prompts many gamblers to bet again; and nearly everyone plays hoping to make a quick buck.
How much money are Americans throwing away hoping for a golden ticket? In 2024 it was $93.5 Billion—which is just slightly less than the federal government spent on essential infrastructure (roads, bridges, aviation, rail, etc), and a whopping 30 times more than it spent fighting drugs!
Sadly, a UC San Diego study shows there’s been a 61% increase in searches for help with gambling addiction—which represents a lot of shattered personal finances, strained relationships, and worse.
Christian, have searched the Scriptures for guidance? What does the Bible say about how you and I should manage our personal finances?
“Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:6-10 ESV).
Wow! Did you catch that? What do you crave? To what lengths will you go to satisfy your desires?
“Well,” you say defensively, “Everyone’s doing it—and there’s no harm in it. I can stop whenever I want to!”
The Bible says that the effects of “godliness with contentment” trump craving to be rich! Run from the temptation for immediate gratification and avoid self-inflicted, painful wounds.
There’s Power in Proverbs. Listen to King Solomon’s God-inspired advice: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time” (Proverbs 13:11 NLT). And, “The trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble” (Proverbs 28:20).
Smart people don’t use their smartphone to gamble! You will accumulate wealth by treating your money as if someone important entrusted it to you and will, sooner or later, hold you accountable for it.
Today, if you want to be wealthy say, “No!” to gambling.
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