Chilton Baptist Association Statement on Legalized Gambling in Alabama
Seeing that gambling, while not expressly forbidden in Scripture, violates many Biblical principles and creates a variety of issues which negatively affect society, Christ-followers are encouraged to oppose such.
The success of gambling is predicated on the losses, pain and suffering of others which violates the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) Gambling leads to more addiction, which can lead to financial struggles in the family, bankruptcy, divorce, child abuse, domestic violence, crime, and suicide. Gambling prays upon the poor, as studies have found, and as Christ-followers, we are to look out for the poor and disadvantaged. (Proverbs 14:21, 31). Gambling promises something for nothing, which works against the work ethic as taught in Scripture. (2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8) We are exhorted to work to have something to share with others. (Ephesians 4:28) Gambling leads people to greed and covetousness, which are prohibited by Scripture. (1 Timothy 6:9-10; Exodus 20:17). Gambling leads to poor stewardship which goes against the Christ-follower’s responsibility to appropriately use the resources of which God has given. (Matthew 25:14-30) Gambling operations are steeped in deceit in many ways, and the Word of God teaches to detest deceitful conduct. (Psalm 101:7; Proverbs 12:20) Gambling brings with it many other corrupting practices such as prostitution, drunkenness, and drug abuse, and Scripture teaches us that “bad company ruins good morals. (1 Corinthians 15:33) State-sanctioned gambling goes against the God-ordained purpose of government in the mandate to protect the welfare of its citizens and to suppress evil. (Romans 13:1-5) Gambling undermines the Christ-follower’s trust in God as provider, leads to dissatisfaction in His provision, and this adversely affects the believer’s contentment with God’s blessings. (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:11-12)
Understanding the negative affects on the Church and our society, the Chilton Baptist Association encourages the State Senators and the Governor to oppose this legislation.
The Chilton Baptist Association further challenges all Christ-followers, should this measure be put forth to the people of the state by being placed on the ballot as a Constitutional Amendment on November 5, 2024, to vote against legalizing gambling in the state of Alabama.