Not too long ago a new church was erected along the route I take to the office. It's a beautiful little church, and I'm sure it has a lovely congregation. On Tuesday evening the parking lot is jammed. On Sunday morning not nearly so many cars are evident. It isn't a case of the midweek prayer meeting outdrawing the Sunday worship service, for this church doesn't hold prayer meeting on Tuesday night. The center of attraction, according to a sign outside, is bingo.
Gambling is a disease that is spreading around the world. For years it seemed to be confined to a few spots such as Portuguese Macao, Las Vegas, and Monte Carlo. Recently, Atlantic City was added, along with various State lotteries. And, as the church on my daily route indicates, gambling is even securely in stalled in some churches!
Six years ago it was reported that bet ting on commercial games exceeded $22 billion in the United States alone. Who knows what the figure is today? It's safe to say that gambling is one of the largest businesses going. The concept of trying to get something for nothing is permeating our society. Of course, not everyone gambles. Maureen Kallick Kaufman's study indicated the following percent ages of people who never bet: "male (25%); female (39%); white (31%); nonwhite (39%); 18-24 years (25%); 65+ years (65%); income under $5,000 (66%); income $15,000+ (21%); married (31%); divorced/separated (23%); Catholic (17%); Presbyterian/Lutheran/Congregational/Episcopal (20%); Bible oriented sects (57%); Methodist (30%); Baptist (47%); Jewish (23%); atheist/no preference (47%); Northeast (17%); South (52%)." The total sample showed that 32 percent "never bet."
But if 32 percent never bet, apparently 68 percent do so at least occasionally, and indications are that gambling is in creasing. There is something sick about a society that delights in trying to secure money or possessions without giving value in return. (The TV quiz show, of course, is practically a national institution, and have you noticed all those sweepstake offers that keep coming in the mail?) The same commandment that requires us to rest one day in seven also specifies that the other six are for working. The principle, as it relates to our discussion of gambling, is that wealth gained by chance tends to have a demoralizing influence on the character. The overall impact on society of all forms of gambling does not lead to higher standards of honesty, purity, and Christlike character development. It would be difficult to argue that gambling does not make a substantial contribution to the overall corruption that prevails today. Gambling is a cousin to bribery and fraud. The whirlwind of excitement and pleasure connected with gambling makes the sober duties of life galling. The thoughtless mirth and the social gaiety on the part of millions who participate in gambling activities create an insensitivity to the claims of the gospel and open the door to a thousand evils. The intense passion for money-getting, the hope of securing something for nothing, makes a forceful impact upon minds, which turns one from life's true purpose.
T. E. Dielman describes some "social correlates of gambling behavior" in his book Gambling: A Social Problem? He admits it is impossible to determine whether gambling is a cause or a result of these related conditions, yet he notes that as the level of gambling activity increases so do the number of divorces or separations, the disagreements about money matters with one's spouse, and the instances of misunderstanding be tween marital partners. Absenteeism and tardiness, problems with children, and days in which alcohol is consumed are all more prevalent among bettors than among nonbettors.
To the thoughtful Christian, these conclusions should not be startling. Perhaps the words of the prophet Isaiah need to be heard loud and clear in our world today: "So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey" (Isa. 59:14, 15, N.I.V.).* —J.R.S.
