As someone who admittedly never gambled excessively in life I never thought I would one day write an entire article about gambling. Gambling in its purest form is simply taking risky action with the hope of attaining a desired result. It sounds like nothing special when you first think about it. But when you REALLY think about it, it can put things into a different perspective. Therefore the question presents itself: should you gamble?
Determining if you should Gamble
Firstly, when the word “gambling” is heard the initial thought is usually some sort of risk that revolves around money. And if you’re spiritual or religious this can quickly lead down a road where you question if you should gamble. This question often becomes even more prominent once it becomes known that gambling is not explicitly condemned in the Bible.
And then of course, this would likely lead down to yet another road where one may begin to pull one scripture after the next to try to justify why even things that are not blatantly expressed should not be partaken in. So rather than attempt to go down these long and tedious roads, which many have long traversed, it may be more edifying to try a different path.
Life is a Gamble
The way life works it truly makes sense why many people believe that “life is a gamble”. Many people don’t see it this way because their thoughts are primarily being influenced by what others believed before. They believe that everything—like gambling—is inherently bad or good. As such, they change the rules based on what they believe and easily justify it solely based on those beliefs.
As an example, if their belief is that gambling is good they may tell you mostly about all the successful people who gamble for a living and become millionaires. If they see gambling to be bad they may point you towards a myriad of research and biblical words; they may also tell you stories about people who went bankrupt after winning large sums of money. What neither tells you is that determining whether or not you should gamble may not be as clear-cut.
Gambling is more than just wagering money
Because gambling is not always based solely on money, this opens a completely different gate of thoughts and concerns. If you look deeply enough there can be elements of gambling in almost anything you do. When you cross the street, you are risking your life. When you get married, you are risking freedom and happiness. And when you switch jobs you are risking financial stability for something unknown.
The same can be said about investing in stocks, driving without a license, eating expired food and leaving your full job to start a business. Yet, some people will not have a problem with any of the above because they justify that the risk is worth it. But to whom? Usually themselves. Again, it all comes down to what each person believes.
Justifying Gambling
Trying to justify if gambling is right or wrong could be like trying to justify when is the right time to have children. Opinions will consistently be split. However, when in doubt, a lot of people use motives as the deciding factor. The motives for taking the risk in all of the aforementioned situations (except gambling for money) is usually seen to be more okay because it’s more traditionally accepted.
There’s also the argument that gambling for money fuels greed at the expense of others’ happiness. But quite frankly, how different is this philosophy from applying for a new job just to get more money? When you apply for a job the goal is to risk time and effort to beat out other applicants for the position. And some of these applicants may need the extra money much more than you do. Of course, this is just one context. But it’s enough to make you think about all the things you may unquestionably judge or frown upon.
Look beyond Gambling
People tend to hold onto their beliefs and seek to condemn the obvious. But if something is right or wrong it is right or wrong. There should be no middle unless there is sufficient context to justify it. Whatever is being gambled and what you stand to lose or obtain may be different but the act of gambling always remains the same. For this reason you need to ask yourself, what are you really gambling for? Would taking the risk make you a better or worse person, and by whose beliefs?
Not everything you believe may be right but the reasons you gamble may be. Does this make gambling right? Not necessarily. But at the end of the day it’s much better if your reasons for gambling are tied back to a higher purpose—something that’s beyond yourself and you just wanting more. Because if more is all you ever want out of life then you should probably avoid gambling like a plague. Because “more” without context is like a pilot wanting to fly a plane further without a destination in mind. It’s aimless and will lead you nowhere progressive in the long run.
Gambling for the right reasons
You should always look beyond the obvious. Some people just gamble because they want more. Others gamble because they wish to attain more purpose. Not everyone would become greedy or selfish the more they take risks or upon earning more. It’s important to remember that there is a good and bad side to almost every situation.
Sometimes the only way to know if something is right for you is to take a risk. Gambling can be a good thing only if you don’t lose your morals, values and positive beliefs in the process. But even so, the best solution for many people will always be: when in doubt, leave it out.
