2008 Woodie Awards
Poker: harmless or hurtful?
Ivry Karamitros
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: The Forum
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Comment on this articleSome think it is. In some instances, poker and other games provide players with a social venue. A poker game with your close buddies does not hurt anyone, as long as you're not risking huge amounts of money. But, when you're having a good time with friends -- win or lose, it's justifiable.
A mild poker game with a buy-in of $5 can be equated to spending an evening in Springfield watching a movie at the theatre. In both instances you are spending money and hanging out with your friends.
However, poker and gambling can be extremely hazardous. If the primary motive of an individual who plays a poker game or slot machine is to make money, they are in direct contradiction to the Word of God. Proverbs 28:20 says, "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished."
My interpretation of this scripture, in regards to gambling is this: Those who gamble as a vocation will eventually lose, whether it be money, family or other assets. I definitely have a problem with certain individuals who gamble away a whole paycheck on payday and have nothing to provide for their family. God has called such people in I Timothy 5:8 to be infidels or unbelievers.
An occasional game of poker never killed anyone. However, there is a dark side to this issue.
Gambling can be dangerous and sinful for some people. Therefore, it is necessary that a healthy equilibrium be found in this area of chance, fun and strategy.
We must also keep in mind that it is our job as believers to not make our brothers and sisters in Christ stumble. If bling is an issue your brother or sister struggles with, pray for them and allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives in regard to this issue. We must never be the reason for others to stumble.
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