We lost the lottery fight. Arkansans voted to legalize gambling.  Biblical morality and human compassion took a backseat to the promise of something for nothing.  My sour grapes are not very pleasant.

But there is yet another front in this war.  This battle is now being fought in the lives of your church members. The state of Arkansas is buying advertisements to convince the citizens to buy the lottery tickets.  Your government wants you to gamble. Universities are explaining how tuition is being lowered by the proceeds of the lottery.  Public universities like it when people lose their money. “Everyone is doing it” is now the defense for legalized gambling.

Pastor, have you talked to your church leaders about this?  You would be well advised to ask your deacons to refuse to buy lottery tickets.  You ask them not to drink alcohol, don’t you?  This is of equal importance and relevance in society.  Then share with the Sunday School workers that you and the deacons have agreed that you will not gamble and that you are asking Sunday School workers to do the same.

Have you preached about gambling to your congregation?  Do you want godly church members?  Could they be godly and hope to profit from what someone else has lost?  Declare God’s word that in this matter we are our brother’s keeper.  Do not allow your silence to excuse gambling among your church members.

It is only a matter of time until one of our Baptist church members wins a large lottery prize. Rather than rejoice we should grieve when this happens.  But if we have been silent, if we have acted like our church members are not tempted, if we have communicated that it is “no big deal” to buy lottery tickets, visit Oaklawn, or Tunica our spiritual weakness will be charged to our own accounts.

I do not believe our churches will become victims to heresy, a low view of Scripture, or a lack of concern for the lost.  But our church members can lose their spiritual power to the sins that are defended with “everyone is doing it.”

Pastor, don’t lose the spiritual vitality of your church by default.  Lead your leaders and preach to your people.

Need help preparing a sermon on gambling?  Larry Page can help.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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