Gambling and Drinking

This is a study that Billy did on gambling and drinking.  He asked me to type it up for him, so I thought I’d post it for you to enjoy! 

Gambling

The definition of covet is to lust after worldly things.  A man gambles because of his lust for money.  This makes gambling a sin.  Here are a few verses that tie into lust.  Maybe this will be a help to all who read it. 

God wants us to rely on Him for all our provisions.

“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.”  1 Timothy 6:10

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.”  Luke 12:15

“(1) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2) And walk in love, as

 Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to god for a sweetsmelling savour.  (3)But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”  Ephesians 5:1-3

“No servant can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Luke 16:13

“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things

shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

Drinking:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”  Proverbs 20:1

To understand the Bible, men have to realize that it was written in Jewish custom.  Their customs are not the same as ours.  God blessed them with wine that truly was the fruit of the vine, nothing more.  But since they didn’t have a way to keep it cool and to keep it from spoiling, God gave them directions on how to preserve it through fermentation.  However, it is not the same process as today’s process. 

God also gave them strict rules on this process and how to test it.  If it was too strong, they were not allowed to drink it.  It was thrown out because God said it became a different spirit.  In fact, it became an evil spirit.  To understand this, people need to understand the spirits.  God did not intend for people to drink the wine to get drunk. 

Beer on the other hand is made in such a way that when it is put into the bottle, it has the ingredients mixed together that, according to Jewish custom, it already has an evil spirit and considered a hard drink because of the volume of alcohol.  The Bible is very clear about strong drinks.  When you take into account Jewish customs, the spirits, and God’s Word, drinking even just one beer in fact is a sin.  It was made for the intent of getting drunk.

It has already helped some since this study began to see the importance of putting verses in proper context.

“Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.”  Hosea 4:11

“(22) Woe unto them that are might to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 

(23) Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the

righteousness of the righteous from him!”  Isaiah 5:22-23

“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.” 

Isaiah 24:9

“For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.”  Proverbs 4:17

When someone drinks or gambles, it gives the impression to people who don’t know you that you are a lost sinner.  On the flip side, if you are a saved child of God and are seen drinking and gambling, no one can tell if you are a child of darkness or a child of Light.  Now you have to worry about messing up your testimony.  That in itself would be a sin.

This study was done out of Love and not to condemn anyone.  That is reserved for Almighty God. 

His Name First: A Lesson from Grandpa

Many years ago while in elementary, I vaguely remembered writing a report about my family…or something along those lines.   I’m not sure if the assignment was to tell about my family, or if it was an autobiography.  That was too long ago!

What I do remember about the report was having my Grandpa Hannah read it.  He was always studying writing and grammar, so I thought he would be a good one to help me proofread.

Like I said, I don’t remember much about what was in the report, and I don’t even remember if I ever showed my report to anyone else in my family.  But there is one piece of advice I will always remember.  I had written about my parents.  In my report I had written about Mom, and then I had written about Dad.”  Grandpa said he enjoyed reading my report, but I needed to fix one thing:  I needed to put Dad's information first, and then Mom's.  I remember thinking, “I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, but if Grandpa says it is, it must be.”  So, I changed it. 

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve"  1 Timothy 2:14

Before you judge my grandpa as being too conservative and overbearing, I should tell you that I’ve not yet met a finer example of what a Christian man should be (although Billy’s, my husband, is a tie!).  He ran his household and ran it well.  He loved Granny with his whole heart.  He made sure that her needs were met and that she was happy, but it was obvious that he was head of the home (and that in itself made her happy!).  As I look back on it, his advice was right on the mark!  The husband is the head of the home!  The woman is to work and strive to make her husband look good; to put him first! 

"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land."  Proverbs 31:23

Submitting to the husband is lost in today’s society, but I have always remembered his advice.  I try to make a conscious effort to put the man’s name first when I send out cards or letters, and I always sign Billy’s name first when I send something from us.  I thought no one noticed or thought about this simple act anymore, but in our ladies meeting the other night, someone mentioned the fact that the husband’s name should be first!  I was so excited to share my story and pass along what Grandpa taught me all those years ago!

Putting your husband’s name before yours may not seem like much, but if you put his name first in speaking and writing, you’re more likely to put his needs above yours.  It’s just another way to use your meek, gentle spirit as God intended!  Remember the old saying:  JOY = Jesus, Others, You.