Missions

One of the workable tools on the missions field is child evangelism. It serves as an avenue for the missionary to touch the heart of both the mother and father of the child. The missionary stands the chance of releasing his creativity in his evangelistic methods. Children love pictures, music, dancing, candies, competition and many other fun games.  Recently Missions Today went on a missions in Ghana in the west of Africa. Besides the preaching of the Gospel on the crusade grounds, house to house evangelism, there was a special project of children dubbed “CHILDCARE PROJECT”.

This projected had a maximum impact on the towns and surrounding villages in Gyedua Asamang. Children were medically screened and treated, clothed, fed and educated together with their mothers. What a day it was! The Gospel message penetrated easily when attention was given to children.

It is sad to see young people adopt worldly ways because they are drawn by the fame, the fun and the freedom that the world offers. These young people fall prey to the luring of the world because they have no spiritual roots in them; because the church, the family and the Christian community have not taken heed to the spiritual command in Prov 22: 6 – “ train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. This call to train up a child is a call to teach our children the ways of Christ through child evangelism.

This training must start when the child is still young and their heart is receptive to the gospel of Christ Jesus. Teaching our children the gospel helps them to develop deeper and stronger roots in Christ Jesus. It equips the children to respond to the challenges of life in a Christlike manner and also live their lives in the will of God.

For most children, the only time they will encounter the gospel of Christ is on Sunday when they attend Sunday school. This is not enough to plant the seed of the gospel firmly in their hearts. Training our children in the ways of the Lord must be done through a series of activities that stretches beyond Sunday school. The gospel must follow the children into the classroom, the playground and every other place where children are known to congregate. This is where the role of the missionary becomes pivotal. Unlike Sunday school teachers who only meet the children once a week, missionaries by virtue of their calling can meet the children everywhere. It is therefore important for missionary organisations to rise up and take up the challenge of securing the next generation for Christ through child evangelism.  

Indeed, Jesus in Matthew 19:13-14, commanded that the little children should be allowed to come unto him without hinderance. This means that every barrier which hinders children f rom coming to Christ must be removed. One of the greatest hinderances to child evangelism is the absence parental discipline in spiritual matters and also the belief that children are too young to understand the gospel.  In the Matt 19:13-14, we find that it was the parents who were bringing the children to Christ. This emphasizes the important role of the family in child evangelism. It also emphasizes the fact that no child is too young to understand spiritual matters the souls an. It also emphasizes the fact that the destinies of children matter to God.

If missionaries are going to be successful in child evangelism, then they must address this barrier by engaging the child and the parents of the child as part of the child evangelism. So that the parents will be equipped to guide the child in the light of the gospel.

Finally, child evangelism is not just the responsibility of missionaries or Sunday school teachers, it is the responsibility of every believer. We must take up this challenge and ensure that the young people around us receive the gospel of Christ Jesus.

The Gospel is the only means by which lives can be transformed and changed. When individuals are transformed, it trickles down to affect the whole community and nation at large. Development is not only about infrastructures and buildings. Development builds the personality of people through education to add value to their life. According to the United Nations, there are several indicators of development in nations called the SDG’s (sustainable development goals). 

The Sustainable Development Goals or Global Goals are a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives designed to serve as a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”. The SDGs are: no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals. The SDGs emphasize the interconnected environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainable development by putting sustainability at their center. Source: Wikipedia.

The organization, Missions Today’s core value is to reach out to lost souls and lead them to Christ as the Lord has already commanded. More so, we educate mothers, pregnant women and children in order to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in communities. We do these by sending professional doctors, nurses and other health workers to rural communities who are deprived of this basic right. on the 21st of April 2023, a team of missionaries embarked on a gospel crusade in Gyedua Asamang and the nearby villages in Wassa Akropong Municipalities in the western region of Ghana. 

Over one hundred children together with their mothers were medically screened, fed, educated on common diseases among children and clothed as well. This exercise attracted the chief of the entire community, the MCE and the other dignitaries. It also became a tool for evangelism where mothers and children were ministered to through the preaching of the Gospel. 

Many of us wonder why is it that wicked and evil people are allowed to thrive, prosper and live long lives while the righteous and those who do what is good often die young. Although that appears to be an unjust thing, the reason why that happens will come as a surprise even to many Christians:

It’s because of the goodness of God.

‘The Goodness of God?’

Yes, the goodness of God. I used to wonder about this matter myself. I hear stories of wicked people, those who do wrong and deceive people into thinking that what they do is right, attaining prosperity. On the other hand, we hear stories of well-meaning people doing great things in service of God, yet they are often hungry.

The Bible even shows us stories of such injustice. We read about John the Baptist being beheaded at the command of a man in high position. We read about how Elijah was miraculously fed through ravens, angels, and a poor widow while fighting against the nation’s honoured deceiver, Jezebel.

And surely we have read about Jesus Christ, who was unjustly persecuted, ridiculed, betrayed and put to shame, at the urgings of respected religious leaders.

So how can we say that it’s because of the goodness of God? How could we call it “God’s goodness” that the wicked prosper while the godly die unjustly treated, poor, and young?

God’s Grace for the Wicked Is for Salvation

Friends, we must keep in mind that it is the Lord’s will for all men to be saved and come to a full knowledge of the truth (see 1 Timothy 2:4). It is with this desire that God allows such things to happen.

God allows wicked people to live long, in order that somehow someone will bring the gospel to them. 2 Peter 3:15 says, “Remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.”

If God extends His patience for their salvation, we must hope, pray, and share the gospel to them for their salvation, too.

What About the Death of the Righteous?

Knowing that God extends His grace for the wicked to be saved, we must then understand that God wants the righteous to remain righteous until death. Because of His love, He protects His people from the evil that might befall them.

“The righteous perishes, and no man takes it to heart; merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.” (Isaiah 57:1-2)

Some might misinterpret this as brutal, but it is actually merciful. Consider the pains of this world and its wickedness, and compare them to the beauty of God’s presence in heaven. Pretty sure our sleeping brothers in Christ are already happy with Him in His presence.

This, however, should not be a reason for us to want to die before our time. We must serve God in our generation before He calls us home (see Acts 13:36). Remember, Christ said “it is finished” before committing His spirit into God’s hands and breathing His last. (see John 19:30; Luke 23:46)

Social Media has changed forever with the rise of TikTok, which is now officially the most opened and watched app in the social media ecosystem. It has become so successful that Meta, YouTube, and Twitter have altered the way they function in order to maintain their footing-and that’s a good thing for the gospel.

First, a bit of my experience as an evangelist on TikTok. When I jumped on in July 2021, I was skeptical—seeing the constant money grab and little return on investment on other social platforms over the years.

Here are five things I’ve learned that can be applied to many, if not all, algorithm-based platforms for your ministry.

1. Metrics

The Algorithm only cares about one thing. Watch time that converts to followers. With the data I get from TikTok, I can objectively see when viewers scroll away, how many watch to the end, and with clear calls to action, I can see exactly how many are responding to the gospel in the comment section. Clear metrics are good for me but they are also really all the algorithm cares about, except, of course, obeying the terms of service (so don’t get banned for violations!).

2. Consistency

The Algorithm wants consistency in messaging and content: I post 3-5 short videos a day, on a variety of things—mostly basic doctrines of sin, judgment, righteousness and addressing common struggles like pornography, anxiety, fears, family pressures and the like. The algorithm can depend on my account to provide fresh, engaging content on a specific niche (Christianity) and, in turn, it pushes my content to the ‘For You Page,’ or FYP.

Normally, over 80% of the views on my posts are not coming specifically from my followers but from views on people’s curated FYP’s. Here’s a recent comment: “You popped up on my FYP and now I’m following you everyday. You’ve changed my life and I’ve grown so much!”

3. Value

I have a very consistent following base I can push private content to and go deeper in discipleship with because I provide something unique in their lives—biblical teaching with an evangelistic edge. One follower recently wrote these words, “Before I found your account, I didn’t know anything about God. Now I am a Christian and am getting baptized!”

4. Residual Returns

I’ve spent nearly 30 years traveling the world preaching Christ. Countless hours hoping when I got to the destination, there would be people to preach to, that there would be fruit. I’ll never give that up but there has not been a single day where I’ve not seen decisions for Christ on TikTok.

I wake up everyday to comments like this, “You don’t know me but I prayed to become a Christian months ago on your account. I want you to know that I have my first Bible and will be getting baptized next week.” That comment was posted on a video I had uploaded months before. The library of content continues to be viewed 24/7/365. Posts don’t die on TikTok, they live on. The delayed residual return on TikTok makes it unique from many other platforms.

5. Spiritual Power & Authority

Just like in-person preaching, gospel proclamation engages powers and principalities in digital spaces and requires the evangelist to rely on the Holy Spirit and focus on the authority of Scripture and the Gospel. This is one of the ways my account has prospered and suffered some persecution. There are real people on the other side of the screen and the enemy is at work in them and through them to thwart the gospel. Using the name of Jesus and stewarding the power of that name has proven time and time again to bear much fruit.

While I could teach a seminar on how the algorithm works and the tricks of the trade, none of that is nearly as important as the power of the Word of God-it is unstoppable. God is using TikTok in a powerful way to reach Gen Z with the gospel. Gen Z is NOT tuning into Christian radio or satellite TV, the eyes and ears right now are undoubtedly on TikTok and so this is where we bring the unction of the Spirit of the Living God. We may not be able to pray in schools, but every single day I get to speak 6-12 inches away from the eyes a 14 year old sitting in the back seat of his mother’s SUV after school and tell him that Jesus loves him and that he can be born again through repentance and faith. There is no greater honor or joy for an evangelist!

One of the greatest commands of Christ to believers is to show compassion to the needy and disadvantaged because that represents the heart of God to the world. God is the ultimate provider who provided for mankind’s deepest need which is the need for a Saviour. Whilst the world was lost in sin, Jesus Christ gave His life for the world so that through His death and resurrection, we might also have access to eternal life.  (John 3:16)

In the same way that God provided for our deepest need, God also expects us to provide for the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. Indeed to fast and pray without showing compassion and care for the needy is mere religion which is unacceptable in the sight of God.- “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking  wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isa 58:6-11 NKJV)

It sometimes seems that believers and missionaries in general neglect this aspect of ministry. Usually, the focus becomes the preaching of the word and prayer to the neglect of showing care to the vulnerable in the society or the people we are called to serve. Remember that giving to the needy is a form of preaching love to the unsaved.  Read what the Apostle James said; If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? (James 2:15-16)

Providing for the needy is an urgent ministry in these times when the world is filled with so much greed and wickedness. Believers must rise and answer this urgent call to minister to the needy and disadvantaged persons by engaging with their communities to identify these needs. There are many ways of providing for the needy and disadvantaged in society. These include

• Defending the right of the poor to justice- Psalm 82:3, Prov 31:8-9, Isaiah 1:17,
• Providing for their physical needs such as the right to shelter, food, clothes and medicine-Mark 8:2
• Providing them with compassion, love and care- Matt 9:36
• Providing education to the community to empower them in knowledge and in skills.

Providing for the needy and disadvantaged attracts great rewards from God. God assures us that those who give will always be blessed and God will be a light unto them. – Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Isa 58:8-9 NKJV). Interestingly, we find this great assurance embedded in God’s command to us to provide for the needy in Isa 58:6-11. This shows how much God values our ministry to the needy and less fortunate in society.

Beloved in the Lord, we must fulfil our ministry to the needy with all humility and with a heart which seeks to glorify God.  God will certainly reward us for our labour of love-And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. ( Col 3:23-24 NKJV). Therefore we must not seek a reward or praise from man or else we will miss the true blessings of our heavenly father.

May the Lord provide us with wisdom to identify the true needs of the people so that our ministry to the needy will make a resounding impact.

As millions of Christians flee the Middle East and Christianity’s original homeland becomes increasingly bereft of Christians, an odd anomaly is occurring.

Christianity in the Gulf states is surging. Amid a shocking exodus in neighbouring countries, this strictly Islamic region has seen a jump in its Christian population.

Figures show that in both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Christianity was practically non existent just over a hundred years ago. There were only 80 Christians in the UAE in 1910 (0.1 per cent of the population) and 50 in Saudi Arabia, even less than 0.1 per cent, according to a recent study.

However one hundred years later in 2010, Christianity had exploded to 12.6 per cent of UAE’s population and 4.4 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s. Between the two countries alone there are now well over one million Christians. While by no means a majority, this represents a a significant growth in such a conservative Islamic region.

Indeed, this surge is not limited to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Throughout the Gulf, countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar have all seen dramatic increases to their Christian populations.

This growth is even more extraordinary when compared to the mass exodus of Christians from neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. Lebanon, for example, used to be a Christian-majority country with 77.5 per cent of the population identifying as Christian in 1910. Now that figure stands at 30.4 per cent. But even that is healthy compared to Turkey and Syria where Christianity has plummeted from 21.7 per cent and 15.6 per cent respectively to just 0.2 per cent and 2.7 per cent.

But Christianity’s growth in the Gulf is not down to a revival. Converting from Islam to Christianity is

punishable by death in both countries and evangelism is prohibited. In Saudi Arabia any public observance of non-Muslim faiths is illegal and Saudi Christians are forced to worship in private.

While persecution charity Open Doors has highlighted “many reports” of Muslim conversions, the reality is that the vast majority of the Gulf’s new Christians are immigrants. Since 1910, the region has become extraordinarily wealthy. This has brought unprecedented immigration to the extent that in UAE, Christians now number little over 10 per cent of the population.

A high proportion of these immigrants come from heavily Christian countries such as the Philippines. The majority of these are Roman Catholic workers, replacing the original Christian population which were largely Orthodox.

However despite the dramatic increase, it is likely there will be little change to religious tolerance in the region. Hardly any of the new Christians immigrants are citizens and many are low-skilled workers, meaning that their stay is likely to be temporary. Most of the Gulf’s population is highly transient and the Christians are unlikely to be different.

As a result, although the numbers of Christians are significant, they are unlikely to make any political difference. Wahhabism, a strict interpretation of Islam, still dominates Saudi Arabia in particular and even in the relatively liberal UAE, Christian converts face severe persecution and no religious education other than the teaching of Islam is permitted.

The future is therefore uncertain for Christians in the Gulf. But as Christianity loses its most ancient communities in the Middle East, the arrival of Catholics in Islam’s most conservative heartland may be a source of hope to those praying for a revival in the Middle East.

Raising a child is one of the greatest responsibilities bestowed upon a married couple. The responsibility becomes ardours when the parents have to raise their children on the mission field.  The tendency to neglect the family in favour of the missionary work is very high because the missionary work is very demanding. It is not only parents on the mission field who encounter these difficulties, pastors in the local churches and people who occupy leadership positions in the church also face these difficulties.

It is sad to say that some children who grew up with missionary parents became bitter and angry with God because of the neglect they suffered as children. It is never the will of God to break up a family unit for missionaries because sometimes it is the children that God will use to continue or preserve the missionary work of the parents. God counted the descendants of Abraham as an integral part of the fulfilment of His divine purposes and thus God expected Abraham to direct his household in the ways of the Lord. (Gen 18:19). In the same way, God also counts the children born to missionary parents as an integral part of their calling and they must not be neglected. 

Missionary parents must appreciate the fact they are the first representation of God which their children experience. The nature of the relationship which these children will have with God largely depends on the image of God which these children see in their parents. Missionary parents must also appreciate the fact their lives are the godly example for the people they disciple on the mission field. How they raise their children and maintain the family unit has a great impact on these people. Indeed, the missionary may be hindered, if the family unit of the missionary is neglected (1Tim 3:5).

Here are a few tips on how to be a better parent on the mission field

• Have a family quiet time– Most Christian families are very familiar with having quiet times. But for a missionary family that is constantly on the move, these special moments when the family gathers to pray and study together becomes critical for the survival of the family unit. It becomes a time when the parents can interact with the children without outside influence. It also affords the children an opportunity to bond with their parents. The missionary parents must carefully plan these special moments with the family to get the best out of these times.
• Delegate missionary activities if possible– zeal for the work of the Lord is necessary for missionary work, but overzealousness can destroy your family unit. Delegate activities if it is possible so that you can make time for your family.

Involve the children in the missionary work– Co-working with your children is also key to maintaining the family unit because it gives the entire family a single focus. Parents who co-work with their children on the same missionary field also have a greater advantage to supervise the children in the ways of the Lord. But missionary parents must be careful not to overburden the children with missionary work or allow the missionary work to take priority in their interactions with the children, the parents must make time to talk to the children about other life issues so that the children can have a holistic approach to life.

The call to be a missionary is a call to the nations; to preach the gospel of Christ healing and deliverance to the nations of the world (Isa 61:1-3). Intercession is the key to accessing the nations of the world and opening them up to the gospel of Christ. How does intercession open up the nation?

Intercession opens up the nations by establishing the God-given spiritual authority of the missionary or believer over the nations.  In Psalm 2:8, God commands us: Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession (Psalm2:8). When we “ask of the Lord” for healing, deliverance, peace of our nations through intercessory prayer, the Lord grants us possession or authority over that land, that is the establishment of spiritual authority.

Once the missionary or believer’s spiritual authority is established over the land, every other power will bow to them and doors to the nation will open. Intercession establishes godly altars. Altars are raised by a consistent practice or invocation in or over a particular place. Therefore, when a missionary engages in consistent intercessory prayer for a particular location, the atmosphere over that location is saturated with the power of God, causing a godly altar to be raised. That altar will speak for that nation, country, or locality for many generations.

Many great men of God have taken nations for Christ and performed mind-blowing miracles through the agency of Holy Spirit-led intercession. One of these great men is Charles Finney who cried- “God give me Scotland or I die”. A missionary cannot achieve anything worthwhile in any country, without first releasing the power and the presence of God into that country through intercessory prayer.  The missionary must engage in intercession before commencing missionary work. Intercession for the nation must continue for the duration of the missions and even after the missionary has departed from that country.

Word of encouragement

Dear missionary, be encouraged to rise in the intercessory prayer for the nations. The Lord has made the grace and anointing for intercession available for every missionary and believer, particularly in this season of unrest amongst the nations. We must ask the Holy Spirit to stir in us this grace and anointing in our lives. We must be like Jesus. We must not relent in our intercessory prayer for the nations. Jesus interceded for his disciples and the world whilst he was on earth. Jesus has not ceased intercession.  Jesus sits at the right hand of the father offering continuous intercession for believers and the world- Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25).

We must not hold our peace until the nations come to Jesus- For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. (Isa 62:1). Heaven is counting on us to release the power and the presence of the Lord into the nations through our intercessory prayer for the nations.

Written by: Adjoa Ago

Missions is very special service to God. It is God who calls a person to serve as a missionary. In John 15:16, it is written- You did not choose me, I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit that your fruit should remain….. The starting point of a call to be a missionary is a godly desire to win souls for Christ. It is a desire planted by God and nurtured by the Holy Spirit. We must patiently wait for the Holy Spirit to nurture that desire in our hearts and open doors for the necessary training and mentorship which will equip us for the work of the missionary.

Mentorship is a key aspect of the training to become a missionary. Without mentorship, it will be impossible to be a successful missionary. Mentorship prepares you to handle the challenges on the field, it equips you with practical knowledge about the mission field and the various strategies used in evangelism. Throughout scripture, we see our Jesus mentored the 12 disciples into becoming effective leaders and missionaries. We also see how Apostle Paul mentored Timothy.

Mentorship for missionary work can start with your local church or you can choose to join a missionary organization. You can also read books or listen to sermons or study the lives of people who have been successful at missionary work.

Written by: Adjoa Ago

Is it a sin to buy a lottery ticket? What about making a bet at a casino – so long as it’s a budgeted amount of money and made responsibly? How about dropping a sports bet? Is it a sin to gamble?

Some people would argue there is nothing sinful about it. Recently, after posting on Facebook one of my editorials against the legalization of sports betting in the Tar Heel state, a woman said in the comments section: “I’ve never found any basis in the Bible to oppose gambling specifically, even though I have searched.” Another woman wrote, “Nowhere in the Bible does it say gambling is a sin — not one single sentence about gambling.”

Guess what? Those two women were right. One cannot show any place in Scripture where it directly says, “Thou shalt not gamble.” But is the matter that easily dismissed?

The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, a renowned Presbyterian minister, used to counter this argument in favor of gambling by explaining it’s also impossible to find in Scripture where it directly says, “Thou shalt not watch pornography.” Nevertheless, the Bible does talk about the sin of lust and advocates principles that would prohibit doing anything that would entertain, generate, or provide for the means and expression of lust.

The Bible also talks about the sin of covetousness. “Those who cannot see the connection between pornography and lust are not likely to see the connection between covetousness and gambling,” said Kennedy. “The truth is, however, that gambling is a form of the sin of covetousness.”

What is covetousness, one might ask? In short, covetousness is an inordinate desire for wealth and possessions or someone else’s possessions.

Rex Rogers, in his book Seducing America, rightly says there are only three ways to legitimately acquire property: 1. as a gift, 2. as a payment for labor, and 3. in fair exchange. Anything else is covetousness and gambling certainly doesn’t fit any of these criteria.

Covetousness is a violation of the 10th Commandment of God, “Thou shalt not covet …” (Exodus 20:17). Gambling flows from a spirit of avarice and greed. This is what makes it so exciting and addictive. It stirs up what is depraved in human nature and can make a person lose their way. Gambling is born of the burning desire for quick earthly riches.

Thus, the Scriptures provide strong warnings about covetousness. Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses” (Luke 12:15). The apostle Paul admonished, “But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains” (I Timothy 6:9-10).

Many other principles in the Bible indict and condemn the practice of gambling:

• Love of one’s neighbor. Jesus commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Gambling is predicated on the losses, pain, and suffering of one’s neighbor.
• Exploiting the poor and vulnerable. Gambling preys on the desperation of the poor. Based in Washington, D.C., Stop Predatory Gambling notes that “[s]tate governments concentrate lottery outlets in economically-distressed regions to entice more citizens from the lower rungs of the income ladder. Lotteries are pushing scratch tickets as high as $50 in low-income communities to citizens who earn a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour in those same states. It takes seven hours of work to lose it all on a $50 ticket.” The prophet Isaiah said, “The Lord brings this charge against the elders and leaders of his people. Why do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” says the Lord God of hosts” (Isaiah 3:14).
• A strong work ethic. God has designed work as the proper means for humankind to supply their needs and provide for their loved ones. Gambling undermines the work ethic and touts the false hope of something for nothing. Genesis 3:19 makes it clear that from the beginning of time God ordered that mankind earn his bread by the “sweat of his brow” — meaning hard work. This principle is so important in the New Testament dispensation that II Thessalonians 3:10 reads, “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” Syndicated columnist George Will summarized it this way: “The more people believe in the importance of luck, chance, randomness, and fate, the less they believe in the importance of stern virtues such as industriousness, thrift, deferral of gratification, diligence, and studiousness.”

  There are numerous other ways gambling runs afoul of the Bible’s teachings. God requires good stewardship of one’s possessions. Jesus alluded to this in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Generally speaking, gambling is a waste of one’s resources that could have been put to good use. The games are rife with deception, concealing or misleading people about the odds. The Psalmist said the Lord would destroy those who tell lies, and he abhors those who deal treacherously (Psalm 5:10).

  

  Moreover, state-sanctioned gambling undermines the God-ordained purpose of government to suppress and judge evil (Romans 13:1-5). The state does just the opposite by allowing the citizenry to be fleeced and victimized by gambling.

   

   

  Its most unfortunate churches often promote gambling by using games of chance for charitable purposes. They say the end justifies the means. Gamblers sometimes rationalize making their bets by noting that churches have bingo games, raffles, etc. Churches, however, and Christians in general, should be setting the right example by not participating in any kinds of gambling. Of all those who should demonstrate that we should keep free from the love of money and be content with what God has provided (Hebrew 13:5), it’s the people of God.

  Indeed, the Bible may not say, “Thou shalt not gamble.” Still, God’s Word is filled with precepts and principles that unquestionably condemn the practice as sinful. It doesn’t matter whether the money wagered was deemed a responsible bet or not. When one gambles, it is a covetous act that is participatory and complicit in a baneful enterprise that shares in the guilt of many other sins.

   

  By Mark Creech, Op-ed Contributor
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