Wednesday July6, 2022

For those of you who do not know, I am currently enrolled in the adult studies program through Evangel University. I am working on obtaining a BA in Church Ministries. I am finishing up a couple of classes over the next week or so (statistics and hospitality). I do enjoy the learning process, even though some of my classes have nothing to do with my degree. For example, I am almost finished with a class that is all about "Hospitality." It is an elective Humanities class (from what I understand). Anyway, this past week we were studying the "gaming" industry. By gaming, I mean casino, not Call of Duty. We had to make a post, talking about our views on places like Las Vegas, and gambling in general. Keep in mind, this is a Pentecostal based University-in order to be accepted as a student, you must share your conversion experience. The professor made a video saying that Jesus would be hanging out at casino's if He were here today (I agree with this). So, I made my post, then we were instructed to respond to 2 other posts. I was very disheartened to see (but not surprised) that over 90% of the class considered gambling "ok." Some went on to claim that it can actually be a fun activity, as long as it does not become a habit.
At this point, I looked back at my professor's video and realized what was missing from her declaration that "Jesus would hang out at casino's if He were here today." What she didn't say was WHY Jesus would be hanging out at a casino, or a brothel, or a crack house. 
Let's look at today's scripture, then I will finish my thought.
1st John 2: 15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

My professor left out the most important thing in her video: Why Jesus would be hanging out at a casino. The reason Jesus would hang out in a casino is because the casino is a sinful environment. Gambling has broken apart countless families (similar to alcohol). Our society accepts gambling as a "fun" activity, something to do in your spare time. The whole premise behind gambling is to gain money through a game of chance. As Christians, perhaps we should not be participating in or hanging out in a place were Jesus would be. You see, Jesus would not be hanging out at a casino to gamble, He would be hanging out to draw people away from gambling.  This is an important caveat that was missing from my professor's video.