SAY NO TO CASINO

The CASINO is CA (Cancer), it is SIN, it is a NO NO.

There are two legalised gambling dens in Singapore—one at Marina Bay and the other at Sentosa. Are they a boon or a bane to our nation? I dare say they are a scourge and a plague that will destroy many people and families. Indeed, the Scriptures warn, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim 6:10).

Let not the Christian say that since gambling is legal and sponsored by Government, it must be OK. Do not say that playing mahjong or blackjack between friends with just a few dollars can be a harmless pastime, even 4-D, betting on horses or soccer, and online gambling. Such are the dark deeds of greed and covetousness. As Christians, we are not in darkness, “but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Eph 5:8).

Some might ask, “Where in the Bible does it say, Thou shalt not gamble?” It is like a smoker asking for an explicit command in the Bible against cigarettes. If you will have it, it is this, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exod 20:13). Smoking kills! You are killing yourself slowly but surely when you huff and puff that stick. How about gambling? Well, it is the 10th commandment, “Thou shalt not covet…” (Exod 20:17). Gambling is a symptom of a covetous heart. It is the love of money, and let it be said again, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Tim 6:10-11).

A gambler never wins. Ironically, Stanley Ho who is king of casinos in Macau discourages people from gambling. In an Asiaweek article I read years ago, Ho said candidly, “Don’t gamble, you can never win.” As they say, “The house always wins.” Yes, you may win once in a while and even win big, but you will finally lose all your winnings and more. “Easy come, easy go.” There is a curse in gambling—the curse of greed! You borrow, and the loanshark will give you hell. You steal to feed your gambling habit, you go to jail. You lose every time, and you lose big time. The many suicides, divorces, broken families, bankruptcies etc, how many are due to gambling? Is it worth it? How foolish to gamble away your hard earned money and your lifesavings! How wicked to bring untold sorrows to loved ones and friends because you are a gambling demon. The only way out is to repent! Turn to God. Only Jesus saves!

A Christian, having been delivered from sinful darkness into the gospel light of God’s truth will not indulge any more in ungodly and unrighteous money-making. He will now work hard with his two hands to earn an honest living. “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” (1 Thess 3:10-12). Furthermore, here is divine economics that will bring true health and wealth, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Tim 6:6). JK

Against Legalised Gambling

A statement by the Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore as published in the
Life B-P Weekly of 8 September 1985 (adapted)

The Holy Scriptures teach:

(1) That righteousness exalts a nation (Prov 14:34);

(2) That Christians live in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (Phil 2:15);

(3) That the love of and greed for money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10, Eccl 5:10, Jer 17:11, Jas 5:3);

(4) That an avaricious attitude is the cause of many domestic troubles (Prov 15:27);

(5) That it is a sin to covet (Exod 20:17) and to steal (Exod 20:15); and

(6) That it is the duty of all who can to work or else they should not eat (2 Thess 3:10).

We therefore advise the members of the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore and all Christians in Singapore:

(1) That it is against Biblical principles to advocate or participate in gambling, legalised or otherwise;

(2) That while we respect the decisions of a government, these are not sacrosanct and whenever they conflict with our Biblical teachings we have the responsibility to express our dissent (Acts 5:29);

(3) That while we certainly do not want to impose a Christian ethic on a non-Christian majority in Singapore, and while we detest the “holier-than-thou” attitude, nevertheless, it is our duty as citizens of Singapore to speak our minds and bear witness to the truth.

(4) Let us help promote a vision of a nation of hardworking, honest, and thrifty people.

MCINTIRE MAXIMS: ON HOME

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Prov 9:9)

“Faith makes a home, Faith keeps a family, Faith is the victory.”

“The bonds which are eternal and which transcend even the ties of flesh and blood are the bonds of grace in Jesus Christ.”

“What is there in this world any more precious than the absolute confidence of one who is close to you, with whom you can share everything and then depend upon that one’s counsel and judgment?”

“There would be a great deal more happiness in homes if there were more understanding of the kind way and the right way of doing things.”

“Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right.”

“A strong will is dangerous unless it is subjected to the revealed will of God.”

“God answers every Christian’s prayer for his loved ones, when His time comes.”

“The most subtle temptations come through our loved ones.”

“My, the sins that are committed against God and people because of family connections!”

“Satan frequently approaches us through intimate friends in whom we have the utmost confidence. So, temptation becomes subtle and powerful.”

“Mixed marriages never pay. Both sides suffer.”

“Whenever the son of a Canaanite married the daughter from an Israelitish family, instead of the girl’s leading the boy over to her God, the heathen boy led the girl to worship Baal, the god of the Canaanites. Whenever there is a mixture, no matter what the mixture is, the influence is always down.”

“Any woman who compromises her principles in order to marry, any man who compromises his spiritual ideals in his soul in order to get some temporary gain, will pay the price. They will always suffer in the end.”

“By far the most important consideration in any marriage is the faith of the two parents.”

“It often happens that when a marriage goes on the rocks, greater sin follows. Sin enslaves.”

“The best way to work upon any man is through his wife. The Devil worked through Eve.”

“A man is definitely influenced by his wife. That is why it is so important that man have a Christian wife. Relatives, friends, business associates—we are all influenced by other people.”

“Women can make life very cruel for their husbands, and they can prolong that cruelty in many unsuspected and devious ways.”

“The hope of preserving the future is wrapped up entirely in our children.”

“The greatest inheritance and the greatest possession that God gives to us, outside of the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, is our own children made in our image and likeness.”

“Our children are our most precious earthly responsibilities.”

“Parents, here is our responsibility. We cannot trifle with God in rearing our young ones. He holds us accountable.”

“No collectivistic order for the rearing of children can take the place of the home; when the home breaks down, society itself degenerates.”

“Children are gifts of God. There is no better place to rear them than in the Lord’s house.”

“When you are training children without the knowledge of the Word of God, the floodgates are open, the churches are empty, and the lovers of pleasure take over instead of the lovers of God.”

“Scholarship is not primary it is secondary. Your scholarship must be used to preach the Gospel.”

“Everyone of us ought to realize, whatever our place or station in life, that we have influence for good or for bad, and, whether we want it or not, our acts affect other people in their conduct for good or for ill.”

The above is adapted from the book, McIntire Maxims, published by the FEBC Press in 1999. The Rev Dr Carl McIntire (1906-2002) was the founder of the Bible Presbyterian Church in the USA. He spearheaded the 20th Century Reformation Movement through the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC).