You never know.....

[Bob Wright]

Years ago, when I was working, I had to go to Vicksburg, MS to survey a project for renovations. I had a structural engineer make the trip with me. We left Memphis just after lunch time and arrived in Vicksburg around 4:00 p.m. We settled in our motel rooms and then it was about time for supper.

My co-worker suggested we go to one of the casinos for dinner. He mentioned they all had sumptious buffets. I told him our church was against gambling and the whole gambling establishment. His response was that we were just going for dinner, not to gamble. I said it could jepordize my testimony to be seen there. But he was listed as a driver on the rental car agreement, and could take the car and go there himself. There was a resaurant across the road from the motel where I could get my dinner.

He said, "No. If you feel so strongly about it, I won't go either."

That man is now a Catholic priest and retired pastor.


Bob Wright

 

[Snake45]

Good story, Bob!

Believe it or not, I just heard Dave Chappelle tell a very similar story in his new Netflix comedy special, The Dreamer.

 

[Kevin]

That is a good story Bob.

My wife had an uncle. He was actually the brother of my wife's grandmother, so not really an uncle.

This is back in Bulgaria. He was an international long haul truck driver. So I'm sure he knew all the cuss words in several different languages.

He was a great guy but just looked really rough.

but after being a truck driver he moved up in the Catholic Church. In fact he baptized my daughter.

But then he died about 5 years ago.

 

[vito]

I'm not sure I understand the religious objections to gambling. The nature of gambling is that it is consensual, and often involves a pitting of skills against other willing participants. When I was much younger I used to really enjoy playing poker, and if playing for stakes just a tad over what I could really afford it was exciting and enjoyable. Somewhere along the way I lost my joy in gambling and now could walk through a casino without the slightest desire to play any of the "games", but I have no moral objections to those who do. Losing the rent or grocery money is just foolish and harmful to a family, but not in itself immoral in my view.

 

[Bob Wright]

I'm not sure I understand the religious objections to gambling. The nature of gambling is that it is consensual, and often involves a pitting of skills against other willing participants. When I was much younger I used to really enjoy playing poker, and if playing for stakes just a tad over what I could really afford it was exciting and enjoyable. Somewhere along the way I lost my joy in gambling and now could walk through a casino without the slightest desire to play any of the "games", but I have no moral objections to those who do. Losing the rent or grocery money is just foolish and harmful to a family, but not in itself immoral in my view.

The Baptist view of gambling is that man is a steward of God's money, and should not be foolishly squandered in gambling. And the casino atmosphere is strongly influenced by drinking liquor and "having a good time." In general, a man's testimony is dimished by his presence at such establishments.

As for me, I abstain from gambling, My personal choice.

Bob Wright

 

[XP100]

The Baptist view of gambling is that man is a steward of God's money, and should not be foolishly squandered in gambling. And the casino atmosphere is strongly influenced by drinking liquor and "having a good time." In general, a man's testimony is dimished by his presence at such establishments.

As for me, I abstain from gambling, My personal choice.

Bob Wright

I Me just getting out of bed everyday is a gamble.

 

[timnc]

I "gamble" all the time by investing some funds in the stock market. The only difference between that and the casinos is that the casinos tell you what the actual odds are for the different games of chance. No, I don't buy lottery tickets. I may be dumb but I'm not stupid.

 

[Armybrat]

Going to a casino is not gambling IMO, it is just making a contribution to the "entertainment" business.
Those gaudy establishments were not built by winning patrons.
Lotteries are just taxes for the suckers.

But I have nothing against those who like to have a "good time" as long as it is not illegal or disgusting (to me).

 

[Bob Wright]

I Me just getting out of bed everyday is a gamble.

Not really. Gambling is a win/lose proposition. Getting out of bed is a win/win proposition.

Bob Wright

 

[KIR]

Pappy Smith of Harolds Club Reno used to say, it is gaming, not gambling. Don't play with more than you can afford to lose. It is all for having a good time and money spent should be used as one would use to go to a movie, a baseball game or an amusement park.
He was very successful at running a gaming club. How anyone could lose money at it is unthinkable, because they are thinking of taking out, more than what they put into it. One has to be a real idiot to lose money in casino ownership.

 

[eveled]

It is a personal choice. The bible doesn't say gambling is a sin. Being irresponsible with ones money would be considered sin. Or the time could be spent better.

Sort of how eating isn't a sin, but gluttony is. Drinking isn't drunkenness is.

My guess is the churches saw so many people ruin their lives by becoming gambling addicted. It became something to avoid. Under the house of ill repute (bad reputation) umbrella

Bob's point is valid he thought it would hurt his testimony or reputation to be seen there. Like going into a gay bar. You might not be gay, but you don't want to be seen there. Avoiding even the appearance of sin.

Ones reputation here on earth is important but In the end it is between an individual and God.

 

[Snake45]

My former church was extremely anti-gambling including the state lotteries. I finally realized the reason is that they didn't like the competition for disposable income--every dollar spent on a lotto ticket was a dollar they didn't get in their collection plate. Yah, it was really just that simple.

 

[crstrode]

Years ago, when I was working, I had to go to Vicksburg, MS to survey a project for renovations. I had a structural engineer make the trip with me. We left Memphis just after lunch time and arrived in Vicksburg around 4:00 p.m. We settled in our motel rooms and then it was about time for supper.

My co-worker suggested we go to one of the casinos for dinner. He mentioned they all had sumptious buffets. I told him our church was against gambling and the whole gambling establishment. His response was that we were just going for dinner, not to gamble. I said it could jepordize my testimony to be seen there. But he was listed as a driver on the rental car agreement, and could take the car and go there himself. There was a resaurant across the road from the motel where I could get my dinner.

He said, "No. If you feel so strongly about it, I won't go either."

That man is now a Catholic priest and retired pastor.


Bob Wright

Refusing to patronize restaurants at a casino where gambling is conducted . . . hmmmm
There is a lot of gambling being conducted on the Internet, not to mention a lot of other very unsavory activities.
Perhaps, to preserve one's testimony, a devout person should abstain from the internet as well.

 

[MaxMan]

Good story to encourage us to stand faithful.

 

[Fox Mike]

One of the biggest gambles we take almost daily is driving on a US highway. Second would be walking through south Baltimore at night.

 

[Fox Mike]

In general, a man's testimony is dimished by his presence at such establishments.
Bob Wright

So you judge an individual on WHERE they are as opposed to what or whom they are?

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
John 16:8

 

[bisleyfan41]

I'm not sure I understand the religious objections to gambling. The nature of gambling is that it is consensual, and often involves a pitting of skills against other willing participants.

Same argument could be made for prostitution.

Bob, thank you for sharing this story and how God blessed the decisions both of you made that day.

Get ready for continued grumbling and ridicule from those trying to justify certain degrees of sin as excusable.