Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ... 

In 2022, I noticed a big change in the TV sports networks.  They began to put a major focus on gambling on sporting events!
 
In 1975, when I was born again, I saw the following concerning Abraham.
 
Genesis 14:21-23  And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
 
22-23 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
 
After I read this scripture, in 1975, I said to God:  "That's the way I want to live.  I want my provision to come from you.  I don't want them to say they are the reason I'm doing well.  I want God to be my wealth."  And I've kept that way since that time.  And there has been no "want" in my life.
 
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I enjoy watching some of the football games, both NFL and college.
 
These gambling ads appear frequently during the television presentations.

 
Even though my way is set by Abraham's statement, occasionally the gambling ad will be very enticing.

 
I can imagine that large numbers of people participate.
 
Sometimes I even find that I have to stop myself and restructure:  "I want my wealth to come from God."
 
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Today, I was rereading the writing on our Podcast from Proverbs 1 published this week.  And the following verses stood out and I thought of some of the times I've been "enticed" by that gambling advertisement (but did not enter).
 
Mostly I thought of all the people who are enticed and enter gambling.
 
And I thought of this instruction from Proverbs 1.
 
2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
 
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
 
4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
 
5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
 
10  My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
 
15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
 
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The apostle Paul says:  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  (Phil. 4:19)
 
Surely none of us would want to exchange God's provision for our own ability to choose winners and gamble and perhaps even lose our own soul in the endeavour.
 
The wisdom of God is:

 
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:  (Proverbs 1)
 
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