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Doing the pools, betting on numbers at the State lottery, and betting
one's money on horses |
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The pools is a form of gambling on the results of soccer
matches, and is very much widespread also in this country. There are other
widespread forms of gambling such as the State lottery and the bet on horses.
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Those who
bet on the pools present their coupon to a bar (or some other place) and on
this coupon they have written the results of the soccer matches as they expect
them, they pay some money hoping that they have guessed right. As for the
State lottery, people bet on certain numbers that they think will be drawn on
the appointed day of the week, in this case also
they pay some money hoping that they have guessed right. As for betting on
horses, people bet some money on a certain horse that they think will win the
race (and even on the horse that will come second), hoping that they have
guessed right. |
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Why do so
many people bet money on the pools, on the numbers at the State lottery, and
on horses, every week? Why do they try their fortune, as they say? Because
they hope to become rich without working and in a very short time, and to be
the next ‘lucky’ bettor. |
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Why must
believers abstain from betting their money on soccer matches’ results, on
numbers, and on horses? Because to try one’s fortune (or luck) is not fitting
for people who confess that they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth and
who desire to depart from their body and be with the Lord in heaven. To try one’s
fortune means not to be content with what one has, while, as believers, we are
commanded to be content with what we have, as it is written: “Keep your lives
free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5
– NIV), that’s why we don’t need to bet on the pools!! |
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In
addition to this, it must be said that doing the pools and betting on the
numbers of the State Lottery and on horses have some harmful effects on
people, because these forms of gambling lead them to follow soccer matches,
the drawing of numbers at the State Lottery, and the horse races, and these
events fill them with anxiety while they wait for the results, they fill them
with despair and wrath when they lose, and then they lead them little by
little to specialize in the bets and to bet more money; “Deep calls unto deep
…” (Psalm 42:7 – NKJV), and a believer, knowing what harmful effects these
bets have on people’s life, abstains from them, lest he walk in paths where
there is no peace, or joy, and where people waste much time and much money. |
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To sum up:
the children of God, being strangers and pilgrims who are on the way to
heaven, must be content with what they have and therefore they must not
desire to become rich. Furthermore, they must not bet money on these things
because that would have harmful effects on their life. I remind you that many
bettors all over the world have ruined themselves. |