Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished
William MacDonald warns that wealth gained through vanity or gambling is fleeting and urges believers to pursue honest labor and contentment instead.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the biblical perspective on wealth and the dangers of acquiring riches through vanity and gambling. He highlights scriptural warnings against covetousness and the moral pitfalls associated with the desire for quick wealth. MacDonald calls believers to embrace honest labor and contentment, drawing from Proverbs, Jeremiah, and Paul's teachings to underscore the spiritual consequences of greed. This message challenges Christians to reject the allure of gambling and to live with integrity and faithfulness.
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“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished.” (Prov. 13:11)
“You may have already won $100,000!” With this and similar come-ons, we are constantly barraged by the temptation to participate in some form of gambling. The housewife shopping in the supermarket is enticed by the latest sweepstakes. The average citizen is encouraged to send his name (together with a subscription for a magazine) to participate in an upcoming lottery involving millions. Or it may be a bingo contest in which you are almost assured of being a winner.
Then, of course, there are the more obvious forms of gambling—roulette, horse-racing, dog-racing, the numbers game, etc.
What does the Bible have to say about all this? Nothing good.
It says, “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase” (Prov. 13:11).
It says, “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him” (Prov. 28:22).
It says, “Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay is the man who gains riches by unjust means. When his life is half gone, they will desert him, and in the end he will prove to be a fool” (Jer. 17:11 NIV).
While the Ten Commandments do not explicitly say, “Thou shalt not gamble,” they do say, “Thou shalt not covet” (Ex. 20:17), and what is gambling but a form of covetousness?
Gambling will always have an evil connotation for believers when they remember that Roman soldiers gambled for the Savior’s seamless robe at the scene of His crucifixion.
Consider also the poverty and grief that chronic gamblers have brought to their families, the crimes that have been committed to recoup losses, and the evil associations frequently linked with gambling, and it will be seen that it should have no place in a Christian’s life.
After reminding Timothy that the believer should be content with food and raiment, Paul warned that “they that will be (desire to be) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Tim. 6:9).
Sermon Outline
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I
- The allure and prevalence of gambling in society
- Common forms of gambling and their temptations
- The subtlety of covetousness in gambling
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II
- Biblical warnings against wealth gained by vanity
- Scriptural examples condemning unjust gain
- The connection between gambling and covetousness
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III
- The moral and social consequences of gambling
- The example of Roman soldiers gambling for Christ’s robe
- The impact of gambling on families and communities
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IV
- Paul’s teaching on the desire to be rich
- The dangers of greed and temptation
- The call to contentment and honest labor
Key Quotes
“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” — William MacDonald
“While the Ten Commandments do not explicitly say, 'Thou shalt not gamble,' they do say, 'Thou shalt not covet,' and what is gambling but a form of covetousness?” — William MacDonald
“They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Avoid participating in any form of gambling as it reflects covetousness and leads to spiritual harm.
- Pursue wealth through honest labor and trust God to provide for your needs.
- Cultivate contentment with what you have to resist the temptation of quick riches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible explicitly forbid gambling?
While the Bible does not explicitly say 'Thou shalt not gamble,' it condemns covetousness and warns against the desire to be rich, which underlie gambling.
Why is gambling considered a form of covetousness?
Gambling involves a desire to gain wealth quickly and unjustly, reflecting covetousness, which is forbidden in the Ten Commandments.
What are the spiritual dangers of gambling?
Gambling can lead to temptation, greed, and destructive behaviors that harm individuals and families spiritually and morally.
How should Christians view wealth and labor?
Christians are encouraged to gain wealth through honest labor and to be content with what they have, avoiding the pursuit of riches through vanity.
What example from Christ’s crucifixion relates to gambling?
Roman soldiers gambled for Jesus’ seamless robe, showing the evil association of gambling even at the scene of His suffering.