Monday, September 11, 2023

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF BETTING

Matthew 6:21-24

Exposition

Betting, according to the dictionary, means “a wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who correctly forecast the outcome of an event).’’ Betting is a practice that has existed since time immemorial. From Bible days till recent times, it has been a practice among men.

There are many kinds of betting but the most common one in recent times is sports betting. Examples are Betway, Odibet, Sportybet, 1xBet, Soccabet, Melbet, MyBet, etc. In Ghana, betting companies are operating almost every day of the week. Unfortunately, these companies are legalized under the Gaming Commission of Ghana, where I believe beyond doubt that Christians work there. The Lotteries Betting Act 1960 was the first legislation passed to allow sports gambling in Ghana. Since then, sport betting has dominated in Ghana, and a lot of young people are patronizing it, without realizing what drives them into it.

In betting, the loser pays the stake (usually money) to the winner. In view of this, it is not an investment. It is an unhealthy competition between two parties whose desire is to amass more money than they worked for or invested. It has become a gentle way to get quick money without sweat. Some who followed this practice have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10). Our journey this week will be on exposing the dark face of betting and how to bid it goodbye from our lives and in the lives of other victims.

Prayer Guide: Oh Lord, help me to rely on divine providence, knowing that you can supply all my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ.

Memory Verse For This Week: Mathew 6:21 (NIV) – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

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