Sports Betting: Unfulfilled Desires and Why to Seek God

Is sports betting immoral?

When compared to porn, it doesn’t seem too bad. One takes purity from you, and the other gives you money. If done properly, surely sports betting is beneficial! Considering that this is a CENFi article, you probably expect me to state that both are contrary to biblical teaching, or that both harm others (which is true), but that is not my goal.

My goal for this article is that you would learn how to gain an exhilarating sense of excitement through the money you spend.

Genesis 1:26-28 states “...God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”

This passage is likely familiar to you, but have you ever considered the wonderful privilege Adam and Eve were given? Honored above all creation, they were placed on the Earth as God’s ambassadors to steward its resources for His glory. In doing so, they would have the immense pleasure of communing daily with God.

Of course, you and I both know the rest of the story well.

They were tempted, took what wasn’t theirs to take, and their lives and everyone else’s lives after them were permanently damaged because of their sin.

So, what does any of this have to do with porn? Perhaps you squirmed a little when you read that word? For many people, this word carries a dirty, sinful, disgusting connotation. Rooted in a sinful pursuit of selfish desires, even the most corrupt Christian will tell you that, in some way or another, it is wrong.

Why then do so many Christians in the church consume porn? James 3 provides insight into the motives behind many of these sinful actions. James states that “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16 ESV)

Those who use pornography are acting on a perceived deficit which they determine must be filled for their own well-being. Whether this is relational intimacy, physical pleasure, mental stimulation, or simply a desire for sexual expression, they want to fill a void.

In short, porn addicts selfishly desire pleasure. Now, pleasure is not a bad thing in and of itself. The Bible speaks regularly of men and women who experience great joy and pleasure through God and man. (2 Samuel 6:12-15, Psalm 47, Exodus 18:9) The problem arises when the desire for pleasure is placed over a desire to honor God and build His kingdom.

This same process occurs when someone gambles.

The urge to gamble is not driven by a desire for money but a desire to win. The gambler is not concerned with where the money he wins comes from; his only concern is whether he wins his bet. To him, winning is pleasurable, and pleasure makes the world go round.

As FanDuel, one of the leading sports betting sites, states in their core values, “Everything begins with the Customer. They have real money on the line, so we take their fun seriously. Our revenue comes from customer delight – never the other way around.”

The entire gambling industry is driven by an addictive experience designed to draw you in. Take notice of where the money goes. There is no mention of the customer gaining revenue, only the company.

Sports gambling companies are in the business of selling delight, not wealth creation. Instead of catering to a monetarily profitable experience, the company is catering to the desires of the customer and selling them the product of excitement.

The gambler’s selfish ambition and desire for delight are what eventually bankrupt them. Just like someone addicted to pornography, there is a desire within him that must be fulfilled, and gambling falsely promises to do so.

If you are struggling with gambling or simply would like to experience joy through the use of your money, I would like to offer you an alternative joy. Surrender every penny you possess to God.

As a member of God’s kingdom and a steward of His gifts, you have been given the same orders as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This comes in the form of a new covenant and a new commission from God (Matthew 28:18-20). We are tasked with building the kingdom of God on this earth by teaching, baptizing, and making disciples of all nations.

You have been given money to steward for the advancement of this goal; how can you use it to further His kingdom in ways that you enjoy?

It does not usually look like giving all your money away, but instead stewarding it in such ways as to best expand God’s kingdom. How can you further the kingdom of God by buying products that enable you and others to live missionally? How can you use the money you have been given to open doors for yourself and others to glorify God?

This is the form of generosity modeled in Acts 4:31-27. By “having all things in common,” the church was unified and equipped by God for the sake of the Gospel. I encourage you to follow in their footsteps and find ways to be generous that excite you.

Maybe your friends are running short on meal swipes at the end of the semester. Offer to pay for some of their meals and then spend time pouring into them. Keep an ear out for needs in your church and set aside time and money in your schedule to meet them. Maybe you are planning an outing with a group, and someone does not have the money to participate. Would it not bless them and the entire group if you offered to cover their cost?

In doing so, you get to enjoy time with a larger group of your friends. Be creative! Look at what God has given you and ask Him for ways to give those gifts to others. You can follow your Savior by giving in small ways to those God places in your path.

I hope you will see that humble generosity that benefits all parties involved, not just yourself, is much more enjoyable than any promise the self-centered entertainment industry of gambling may tempt you with!