In today’s world, gambling is often presented as an exciting and harmless pastime, from betting on sports to purchasing lottery tickets. Society celebrates those who seem to "win big," but what is often left out is the destruction that gambling leaves in its wake. For Latter-day Saints, gambling isn’t just a poor financial decision—it’s a moral issue that can corrode our spiritual lives.
Gambling: The Allure of Quick Wealth
One of the primary reasons people turn to gambling is the hope of quick wealth. Who wouldn’t want to turn a few dollars into a fortune overnight? The problem with this thinking is that it directly contradicts what the scriptures teach us about work, wealth, and happiness.
In Proverbs 28:20, the Bible reminds us:
"A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."
The pursuit of fast wealth can often lead people to compromise their values, to take shortcuts, and to harm not only themselves but others in the process.
When we gamble, we’re not just risking money—we’re gambling with our character. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns:
"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."
The obsession with gaining money quickly and easily can turn our hearts away from what truly matters—our faith, our families, and our personal integrity.
A Spiritual Hunger That Can’t Be Satisfied
Gambling can be likened to spending your hard-earned resources on something that doesn’t feed you—spiritually or physically. In Isaiah 55:2, we’re asked:
"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?"
Gambling offers no lasting nourishment. It’s an empty pursuit that often leads to debt, addiction, and, ultimately, spiritual emptiness. We chase after the next win, only to find ourselves more unsatisfied than before.
The Book of Mormon’s Perspective on Worthless Pursuits
In 2 Nephi 9:51, the Book of Mormon echoes this sentiment:
"Do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy."
The Lord has asked us to focus on what truly brings joy and fulfillment—faith, family, service, and personal growth. These are the things that "cannot be corrupted," unlike the fleeting and often destructive rewards gambling promises.
Modern Revelation on Avoiding Worldly Temptations
The Doctrine and Covenants further strengthens our resolve against participating in gambling and similar vices. In Doctrine and Covenants 136:27, we are told:
"Thou shalt not steal, neither commit adultery, nor kill, nor do anything like unto it."
Gambling might not seem as severe as stealing, but in reality, it’s a form of dishonesty. It relies on the losses of others to succeed. It’s not a righteous way to gain wealth or to support ourselves.
In addition, Doctrine and Covenants 88:123 instructs:
"See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires."
Gambling fosters covetousness—desiring to take what others have. This mindset is the exact opposite of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which calls for sharing, giving, and uplifting one another.
Words of Modern Prophets
Our modern prophets have spoken with clarity about the dangers of gambling. President Gordon B. Hinckley, in a 2005 General Conference, declared:
"Gambling is a moral cancer. It is addictive, it is destructive, it is evil. Society condones it, feeds on it, and profits from it. But it destroys people, it destroys families, it destroys communities. There is no room for it in the life of a Latter-day Saint."
His words remind us that gambling isn’t a harmless activity. It’s a practice that erodes the very fabric of society and family life, leaving people spiritually and emotionally bankrupt.
Similarly, President Spencer W. Kimball, in 1974, warned:
"We urge all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to shun gambling in every form. It leads to loss of self-control, loss of family resources, and eventual destruction of the soul."
This loss of self-control can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual but their loved ones and their relationship with God.
Finally, President Thomas S. Monson, in 2011, reminded us:
"The adversary seeks to ensnare us in practices that rob us of our agency. Gambling is one of those snares. It may seem innocent or thrilling at first, but it eventually leads to spiritual bondage."
The freedom we cherish as children of God is undermined when we become ensnared in activities like gambling, which can lead to addiction, financial ruin, and spiritual decay.
Conclusion: Choosing Lasting Riches
As Latter-day Saints, we are called to focus on what truly matters in this life and the next. Gambling offers temporary thrills but leads to lasting sorrow. The Lord has asked us to be wise stewards of the resources He has given us—our time, our money, and our energy. Let us avoid the temptation of gambling and instead focus on building eternal riches that neither rust nor corrupt.
May we all strive to live lives of integrity, charity, and faithfulness, seeking true and lasting happiness in the things of God rather than the fleeting gains of the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment