May believers ask for money for Children’s Homes?

May believers ask for money for Children’s Homes? 

A question that I have been asked on more than one occasion by various people over the years is whether it is right for believers to do fundraising for a children’s home or any similar welfare organisation. With the recent financial situation at the children’s home where I am involved, this question came up again and I felt it was necessary to deal with it.

 

1. A biblical responsibility 

There is little doubt that believers have a responsibility to take care of the helpless, poor, widows and orphans. There are numerous Bible verses that clearly address this matter: 

In Mark 9, Jesus takes a child and makes him stand among his disciples (v36). Jesus then says "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." (v37). From this we can clearly see that Jesus himself attached great value to children. 

We also see throughout the Scriptures that the Father is concerned about those who are oppressed. For example, we read in Psalm 9:9 “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” The prophet declares in Hosea 14:3 “In You the orphan finds mercy.” Deuteronomy 10:18 says “He [the Lord] executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” (See also Psalm 10:14; 68:5-6; 82:3-4; 146:9) 

The Lord also expects us to look after the needs of the needy. James, the brother of our Lord Jesus says that “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). Job, the righteous man also sets an example for us in this according to Job 29:12 “… I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.” (See also Job 6:27; 31:16-19). In Matthew 6:1-4, the Lord Jesus commands us to help the needy unselfishly. According to Isaiah 58:7 one of the signs of true religion… “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (See also Deut. 14:28-29; Est. 2:7; Jer. 7:6) 

The Lord also warns those who oppress the needy. In Exodus 22:22 we find a prominent warning “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.” In Proverbs 23:10 we find a similar warning “Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless.” 

We therefore have sufficient Scriptural indication that the Lord considers the need of the needy worthy and expects of us to meet their needs. The believer should come to the aid of those in need, as this forms part of our practical out living of our faith. While no insistence can be made from the Bible that you should donate to a specific organization or a specific person, we can clearly see that the cause of the needy is important to the Lord and therefore should also be important to us.

 

2. The approach of George Müller 

Friends of mine used to have a children's home on their small holding for many years. They did not receive a government subsidy and never asked anyone for money. Their home, with around 100 children, was supported by large donations from a Christian organization in America. Through these donations, their children’s home continued without ever needing to ask for money. Right from the start, they made a point of never asking any person or organization for money. In the meantime, my friend passed away and his wife, who was of retirement age, sold the small holding and the Children's House was closed down. But until the last day they continued without ever asking money from any organization or individuals. 

Their approach was based on the story of George Müller. George Müller can be seen as the father of modern Christian Children’s Homes. He started his first orphanage in 1834 and by the end of his life they housed more than 10,000 children. What makes the work of George Müller so exceptional is that he decided never to ask anyone for even a penny, and he never did. Someone once said: “Through prayer they fed and cared for these children every day.” For George Müller it was indeed a matter of absolute trust in God's promises to take care of them. He was known as one constantly pleading with the Lord for the needs of these children. And the Lord provided through the gifts and donations of numerous organizations and individuals. Over the years, these children never went hungry. 

Many hold up the example of George Müller as the way in which Christian Children's Homes and Welfare Organizations should be managed and receive their funds, through prayer and trust in the Lord's promises.

 

3. The approach of Charles Spurgeon 

The question is then: Is it wrong to ask for money for children's homes and welfare organizations? Does it show a lack of trust in the Lord's promises to take care of such? While prayer should never be neglected and we should always start there, I do not believe that it is wrong to labour in order to be useful in the Lord's fulfilment of his promises. From the Scriptures we clearly see that the Lord fulfils His promise to the needy through methods and through people. He who is concerned about the needy encourages us to be concerned about the needy. 

This brings me to the example of Charles Spurgeon. Under his ministry, the Metropolitan Tabernacle also established a children’s home / orphanage that cared for no less than 500 children. Charles Spurgeon once said “I, as one of God's ministers, will never cease to speak on behalf of the rights of the poor.” He also emphasized that it is the duty of every believer to give money to the poor without thinking. 

Spurgeon once preached from Psalm 41:2 which says “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him.” He said that this promise belongs to those who consider the poor and make plans for their benefit. Furthermore he said, that “we can do more for the poor than giving them money, but we can do so much more for them if we give them money and do more.” 

The point is, Errol Hulse's summary is correct when he says: "While George Müller never asked for a cent of money, Charles Spurgeon continuously worked for the existence of the orphanage by asking people for money. He asked of believers, worldly organization and people." 

Spurgeon, who was well acquainted with the work of George Müller and his practice of never asking for money, himself often asked money from people when their orphanage was in need. Spurgeon had the opportunity to meet George Müller in November 1854 and he was amazed by Müller's work. Spurgeon's response was: “I could not speak a word for the life of me...I never heard such a sermon in my life as I saw there”. 

The fact that Spurgeon always asked for money for the needs of the orphanage does not mean that he doubted that it came through the Lord's provision. The orphanage was built on a property that was voluntarily donated. He simply said in a sermon one Sunday that as a church they could do more to build up the community around the church, and proposed an orphanage. After this they prayed and asked the Lord's help in this. The wife of an Anglican minister, whom Spurgeon did not know, was then led by the Lord to give her inheritance, after her husband's death, to Spurgeon for this cause. But Spurgeon also had no problem to, as the Lord called us, be zealous for the cause of the needy. He also did not hesitate to ask when funds were needed.

 

4. It is the Lord who provides 

One is grateful for the work of George Müller and the special way in which the Lord provided for them so that they never needed to ask. But the approach of Charles Spurgeon shows us that God, while He is always the provider of all our needs, does not always work in the same way, even in similar circumstances. Nor do we question God's faithfulness to his promise by asking. We know that He is the one who provides in every way. The point is: God uses people, God uses methods. Therefore, it is not wrong or short-sighted to labour, while trusting the Lord, to bring about his will. After all, this is exactly what we are called to do every day. We should not just pray and then sit back, but we must pray and then work to do His will. 

But we must also never think that this work is the result of our own zeal, it is the Lord's providence through us. Therefore we cannot seek our own glory. As the Lord encourages us in Matthew 6:1-4 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. ‘Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’” 

 

While the Lord worked in different ways through different people on different occasions, we never doubt that He is the one who faithfully kept His promises. Everything belongs to the Lord, and He is able to use any righteous method to accomplish His will. Let us therefore be diligent to seek God's will, while at the same time we make every effort to accomplish it and continue to give thanks to our heavenly Father who even use us as servants in His work. 

The faithful have a responsibility to help those in need according to their ability. As Spurgeon himself said, we can do more for the needy than give them money, but we can do so much more if we give money and do more. While we must show wisdom and investigate the sincerity of the need before we help, we must not hesitate to give boldly where there is a need, according to our ability. But let us constantly remember that it is the Lord who provides all that we have and that He, through us, provides these needs of others when we give. 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Mag gelowiges geld vra vir kinderhuise?

 

Mag gelowiges geld vra vir kinderhuise? 

‘n Vraag wat ek al op meer as een geleentheid gevra is deur verskeie persone deur die jare is of dit reg is vir gelowiges om fondsinsameling te doen vir ‘n kinderhuis of enige sortgelyke welsynsorganisasies.  Met die onlangse finansiele situasie by die kinderhuis waar ek betrokke is, het hierdie vraag weer na vore gekom en ek het gevoel dis nodig om dit te hanteer.

 

1. ‘n Bybelse verantwoordelikheid

Daar is min twyfel dat gelowiges ‘n verantwoordelikheid het om vir die hulpelose, armes, weduwees en weeskinders moet sorg.  Daar is talle Bybelverse wat hierdie saak duidelik aanspreek.  

In Markus 9 neem Jesus ‘n kind en laat hom tussen sy dissipels staan (v36). Jesus sê dan “Elkeen wat een van sulke kindertjies ontvang in my Naam, ontvang My.  En elkeen wat My ontvang, ontvang nie My nie, maar Hom wat My gestuur het.” (v37).  Hieruit kan ons duidelik sien dat Jesus self baie waarde aan kinders geheg het.  

Ons sien ook reg deur die Skrif dat die Vader besorgd is oor hulle wat verdruk is.  So lees ons byvoorbeeld in Psalm 9:10 “So is die HERE dan ‘n rotsvesing vir die verdrukte, ‘n rotsvesting in tye van benoudheid.”.  Die profeet verklaar in Hosea 14:4 “Want by U vind die wees ontferming.” Deutronomium 10:18 sê “[die Here is ‘n God] wat reg verskaf aan die wees en weduwee, en die vreemdeling liefhet, sodat Hy hom brood en klere gee.” (Sien ook Psalm 10:14; 68:7-8; 82:3; 146:9).  

Die Here verwag ook van ons om na die behoeftes van behoeftiges om te sien.  Jakobus, die broer van onse Here Jesus sê ‘n “Reine en onbesmette godsdiens voor God en die Vader is dit: om wese en weduwees in hulle verdrukking te besoek en jouself vlekkeloos te bewaar van die wêreld” (Jak. 1:27).  Job, die regverdige man stel hierin ook vir ons ‘n voorbeeld in Job 29:12 “Want ek het die ellendige gered wat om hulp geroep het, en die wees en hom wat geen helper het nie” (Sien ook Job 6:27; 31:16-18). Die Here Jesus gee in Mattheus 6:1-4 die opdrag om onselfsugtig die behoeftiges te help.  Die toon van ware godsdiens volgens Jesaja 58:7 “Is dit nie dat jy jou brood breek vir hom wat honger het, en ellendiges, swerwelinge in jou huis inbring nie? As jy iemand sien wat naak is, dat jy hom klee, en jou vir jou eie vlees nie verberg nie?” (Sien ook Deut. 14:28-29; Est. 2:7; Jer. 7:6). 

Ook waarsku die Here hulle wat die behoeftige onderdruk.  In Eksodus 22:22 vind ons ‘n prominete waarskuwing “Julle mag geen weduwee of wees verdruk nie.”  In Spreuke 23:10 vind ons ‘n soortgelyke waarskuwing “Verlê die ou grenslyne nie, en kom nie op teen die landerye van die wese nie”  

Ons het dus genoegsame Skriftuurlike aanduiding dat die Here die nood van die behoeftiges waardig ag en van ons verwag om aan hulle behoeftes te voorsien.  Die gelowige behoort die nood van ander tot hulp te kom, dit vorm deel uit van ons praktiese uitlewing van ons geloof. Terwyl daar uit die Bybel geen aandrang gemaak kan word dat jy vir ‘n spesifieke organisasie of ‘n spesifieke persoon moet skenk nie, kan ons duidelik sien dat die saak van behoeftiges vir die Here belangrik is en daarom ook vir ons belangrik moet wees.

 

2. Die benadering van George Müller 

Vriende van my het vir baie jare ‘n kinderhuis op hulle plot gehad.  Hierdie vriende van my het nie ‘n staatsubsidie ontvang nie en het ook nooit van enige iemand geld gevra nie.  Hulle huis met ongeveer ‘n 100 kinders was ondersteun deur groot donasies van ‘n Christelike organisasie in Amerika.  Deur hierdie donasies het hulle kinderhuis voortbestaan sonder dat hulle ooit nodig gehad het om geld te vra nie.  Hulle het reg van die begin af voorgeneem om nooit van enige persoon of organisasie geld te vra nie.  Intussen is my vriend oorlede en sy vrou, wat self al op aftree ouderdom is, het die plot verkoop en die Kinderhuis is gesluit.  Maar tot op die laaste dag het hulle voortbestaan sonder om ooit van enige organisasie of individue geld te vra. 

Hulle benadering was gebaseer op die verhaal van George Müller.  George Müller kan gesien word as die vader van moderne Christelike kinderhuise.  Hy het in 1834 sy eerste kinderhuis begin en teen die einde van sy lewe het sy kinderhuise meer as 10 000 kinders gehuisves.  Wat die werk van George Müller so uitsonderlik maak is dat hy homself voorgeneem het dat hulle nooit vir enige iemand ‘n sent geld sou vra nie, en hy het ook nie. Iemand het eenmaal gesê: “Deur gebed het hulle elke dag hierdie kinders gevoed en versorg.”  Dit was inderdaad vir George Müller ‘n saak van absolute vertroue op God se beloftes om vir sulkes te sorg.  Hy was daarvoor bekend dat hy deurlopend by die Here gepleit het vir die behoeftes van hierdie kinders.  En die Here het voorsien deur die skenkings en donasie van talle organisasies en individue.  Deur die jare het hierdie kinders  nooit honger gelei nie. 

Baie hou die voorbeeld van George Müller voor as die manier waarop Christelike Kinderhuise en Welsynsorganisasie bestuur moet word en hulle fondse moet ontvang, deur gebed en vertroue van die Here se beloftes.

 

3. Die benadering van Charles Spurgeon 

Die vraag is dan, of dit verkeerd is om vir kinderhuise en welsynsorganisasies geld te vra?  Toon dit ‘n gebrek aan vertroue in die Here se beloftes om vir sulkes te sorg?  Terwyl gebed nooit agterweë gelaat moet word nie en ons altyd daar moet begin, glo ek nie dat dit verkeerd is om te arbei om sodoende bruikbaar te wees in die Here se vervulling van sy beloftes nie.  Uit die Skrif sien ons tog duidelik dat die Here hierdie belofte aan die behoeftiges vervul deur metodus en deur mense.  Hy wat besorgd is oor behoeftiges, moedig ons aan om besorgd te wees oor behoeftiges. 

Dit bring my by die voorbeeld van Charles Spurgeon.  Die Metropolitan Tabernacle het onder sy bediening ook ‘n kinderhuis tot stand gebring wat vir nie minder as 500 kinders gesorg het nie.  Charles Spurgeon het eenmaal gesê “I, as one of God’s ministers, will never cease to speak on behalf of the rights of the poor.”  Hy het ook baie klem daarop gelê dat dit elke gelowige se taak is om geld aan die armes te gee sonder nadenke. 

Spurgeon het eenmaal gepreek uit Psalm 41:2 wat sê “Welgeluksalig is hy wat ag gee op die arme; die HERE sal hom red in die dag van onheil.”  Hy het gesê dat hierdie belofte behoort aan hulle wat die armes in ag neem en planne maak tot hulle voordeel.  Verder het hy gesê dat ons meer vir die armes kan doen as om vir hulle geld te gee, maar soveel meer vir hulle kan doen as ons vir hulle geld gee en meer doen.  

Die punt is, Errol Hulse, se opsomming is reg as hy sê:  “Terwyl George Müller nooit vir ‘n sent geld gevra het nie, het Charles Spurgeon deurlopend die voorbestaan van die kinderhuis bewerk deur geld van mense te vra.  Hy het gevra van gelowiges, wêreldse organisasie en mense.”  

Spurgeon, wat goed bekend was met die werk van George Müller en sy praktyk om nooit geld te vra nie, het self gereeld van mense gevra vir die kinderhuis wanneer daar ‘n behoefte bestaan het.  Spurgeon het in November 1854 die eerste geleentheid gehad om George Müller te ontmoet en hy het verstom gestaan oor Müller se werk.  Spurgeon se reaksie was: ‘I could not speak a word for the life of me…I never heard such a sermon in my life as I saw there’.  

Die feit dat Spurgeon altyddeur geld vir die behoeftes van die kinderhuis gevra het, beteken nie dat hy betwyfel het dat dit deur die Here se voorsiening gekom het nie. Die kinderhuis was gebou op ‘n eindom wat vrywillig geskenk is.  Hy het een Sondag in ‘n preek gesê dat hulle as kerk meer kan doen om die gemeenskap rondom die kerk op te bou, en ‘n kinderhuis voorgestel.  Hierna het hulle gebid en die Here se hulp hierin gevra.  Die Vrou van ‘n Anglikaanse predikant, wat Spurgeon nie geken het nie, was toe deur die Here gelei om haar erfgeld, na haar man se dood, aan Spurgeon te gee vir hierdie saak.  Maar Spurgeon het ook geen probleem gehad om, soos die Here ons geroep het, te ywer vir die saak van die behoeftiges nie.  Hy het ook nie geskroom om te vra wanneer fondse nodig was nie.

 

4. Dis die Here wat voorsien 

‘n Mens is dankbaar vir die werk van George Müller en die besondere manier waarop die Here vir hulle voorsien het sodat hulle nooit nodig gehad het om te vra nie.  Maar die benadering van Charles Spurgeon toon aan ons dat God, terwyl Hy altyd die voorsiener van al ons behoeftes is, nie altyd op dieselfde manier, in selfs soortgelyke omstandighede werk nie.  Ons bevraagteken ook nie God se getrouheid aan sy belofte deur te vra nie.  Ons weet dat Hy die een is wat in elke opsig voorsien.  Die punt is: God gebruik mense, God gebruik metodes.  Daarom is nie verkeerd of kleingelowig om, in vertroue van die Here, te werk om sy wil tot stand te bring nie.  Dit is per slot van reken waartoe ons elke dag geroep is.  Ons moet nie net bid en dan agteroor sit nie, maar ons moet bid en dan werk om Sy wil te laat geskied. 

Ons moet ook nooit dink dat hierdie werk is die gevolg van ons eie ywer nie, dit is die Here se voorsienigheid deur ons.  Ons kan daarom nooit ons eie eer soek nie.  Soos die Here ons aanmoedig in Mattheus 6:1-4 “Pas op dat julle nie jul liefdadigheid voor die mense bewys om deur hulle gesien te word nie; anders het julle geen loon by julle Vader wat in die hemele is nie.  Wanneer jy dan liefdadigheid bewys, moenie ‘n trompet voor jou blaas soos die geveinsdes in die sinagoges en op die strate doen, dat hulle deur mense geëer kan word nie. Voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, hulle het hul loon weg.  Maar jy, as jy liefdadigheid bewys, laat jou linkerhand nie weet wat jou regterhand doen nie, sodat jou liefdadigheid in die verborgene kan wees; en jou Vader wat in die verborgene sien, Hy sal jou in die openbaar vergelde.” 

 

Terwyl die Here op verskillende geleenthede deur verskillende mense op verskillende maniere gewerk het, betwyfel ons nooit dat Hy die een is wat getrou Sy beloftes gestand doen het nie.  Alles behoort aan die Here, en Hy is in staat om enige regverdige metode te gebruik om Sy wil te laat geskied.  Laat ons daarom ywer om God se wil te soek, terwyl ons terselfdetyd alles inspan om dit te bewerk, terwyl ons altyddeur ons hemelse Vader dank wat selfs ons gebruik het as dienaars in Sy werk. 

Die gelowiges het ‘n verantwoordelikheid om, volgens vermoë, behoeftiges te help.  Soos Spurgeon self gesê het, ons kan meer vir behoeftiges doen as om vir hulle geld te gee, maar ons kan soveel meer doen as ons geld gee en meer doen.  Terwyl ons wysheid aan die dag moet lê en die opregtheid van die nood moet ondersoek voor ons help, moet ons nie skroom om met vrymoedigheid te gee waar daar ‘n behoefte is volgens ons vermoë nie.  Maar laat ons deurentyd onthou dat dit die Here is wat alles voorsien wat ons het en dat Hy, deur ons, hierdie behoeftes van ander voorsien wanneer ons gee.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk

Are believers allowed to gamble?

Are believers allowed to gamble? 

Following the piece I wrote about money, someone asked me to elaborate more on the matter of gambling. While there is no specific Bible verse that says "You shall not gamble", the believer must recognize that this is not the best stewardship of your money. Furthermore, there are clearly many biblical principles that are broken by the practice of gambling. The believer should not practice any form of gambling, because it is not to the glory of God.

 

1. Modern forms of gambling 

There are many modern forms of gambling. Some of these 'games' may seem very innocent, but the principle behind them is similar to gambling. Here are some examples: 

a.Gambling houses

-    Slot machines

-    Card game for money (Poker, Black Jack etc.)

-    Gambling tables (Roulette, Baccarat, Craps)

b.Lottery

-    Lotto

-    Scratch cards

c. Sports bets

-    Soccer, Rugby, Cricket and any other

-    Horse or dog racing

d.Internet gambling games

-    Gambling websites

(Even downloadable gambling games, while there may be no physical money involved, create the desire to win)

e. Television programs

-    'Big Brother' and other 'luck' and 'profit' driven programmes

f.  More 'innocent' games

-    Carnival games

-    Tossing a coin or casting the dice

-    'Rock/Paper/Scissors'

 

We live in a world that is obsessed with prosperity and wealth and there are certainly many other forms of gambling that I am not even aware of. Any practice where there is a winner and a loser and where an advantage is obtained (financially or otherwise) at the expense of the loser can be classified as gambling.

 

2. Biblical examples of gambling? 

Some people try to use biblical examples to justify gambling. Let's look at the texts commonly used but which in no way justifies the modern practice of gambling. 

One such text often used is the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothes after his crucifixion. It is mentioned in Mark 15:24. Another example that is sometimes used to justify gambling is the story of Samson. At his wedding, he poses a riddle to his guests. If any of them can solve the riddle he will give them 30 sets of clothes. His wife then deceived him in giving her the answer and Simon in his anger goes and kills 30 men and gives her their clothes. I group these two biblical examples together because both deal with clothing. However, what you should see both of these cases is that the practice of gambling is not put in a good light here, but a bad light. The soldiers took clothes that belong to Jesus and divide it among themselves, that's theft! It's obtaining someone else's property dishonestly. In the story of Samson, we find dishonesty, deceit, murder and theft so that those who won can receive their dishonest gain. One of the biggest problems with gambling is that it preys on the loss of others to enrich you. There is also a lot of dishonesty that comes with the gambling industry. 

But there is another biblical examples that are used by many to justify gambling. In texts such as Joshua 18:10, Nehemiah 10:34, Acts 1:26 and others, lots are cast to make decisions. But the casting of the lot is to seek God's will in a matter, not gambling. It was the God given way in biblical times that God sovereignly used to make His will known to his people. It has nothing to do with gambling. Proverbs 16:33 shows God's sovereignty in this matter. "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This has nothing to do with looking for 'happiness' or prosperity, but it is about seeking God's will. There was no indication in these passages that it was for seeking wealth, but rather to make them wise in what pleases God in the specific situation. In biblical times this was God's particular way of revealing his will to his servants.

 

3. Biblical principles against gambling 

Why do people gamble? They want to put their luck to the test in the hope of getting rich quickly or to gaining an advantage. But this goes against many biblical principles: 

a.Chasing wealth is dangerous

The believer should not seek after wealth, because the Bible teaches us that sometimes serious danger can accompany it. For example, we read in Mark 4:19 that wealth leads to worldly cares in which people become entangled and thus do not follow the Lord fully, or at all. In Mark 10:25 we find the rich young man who was not willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. In both cases, wealth is an obstacle to obtaining spiritual benefit. The problem is often exactly what Jesus addresses in Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” For many wealthy people, their money (Mammon) is where their true loyalty lies. Christianity doesn’t expect that you should necessarily get rid of all your money, but it does require that you should not idolize it or make it a primary priority in your life. Paul also makes this point clear in 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 

b.Income must be earned through hard work

When the Lord made man, it was his command that they should work hard in order to make a living (Genesis 2:15). So the Lord expects believers to make their income through honest hard work. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul says, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” Also Proverbs 10:4 speaks against laziness and says “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 

Quick earned wealth also often leads to great misery, we learn this in Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Throughout history, there are numerous examples of people who after finding quick wealth also ended up in quick misery. Family strife, divorce, even family murder have all been the result of someone's 'luck' in gambling. 

God's expectation is still that man, and especially believers, earn an income through honest hard work. 

c. Covetousness is sin

Chasing money and possessions is sin. The reason many people gamble is because they have an unsatisfied need for more money and possessions. However, you do not have to think very long to find Bible verses that speaks against such desires. In the Law of the Lord in Exodus 20:17 it says: "You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour’s." Your desire for more is not in accordance with God's will. Your desire should be for the Lord and He is your satisfaction. 

d.Wealth doesn't solve your problems

There is this general thinking that if you just have more money all your problems will be solved. This is also one of the reasons why some people gamble. But wealth does not solve our problems. The Bible teaches us, on the contrary, that wealth only causes more problems. Ecclesiastes 5:10-15's insight into this is helpful: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a labourer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.” 

e. Hope in luck is unChristian

Gambling is based on the principle of luck, but believers should not believe in luck or chance. We believe in the providence and sovereignty of God who gives us all that we have. The believer should therefore not place his hope in quick gain, but must trust the Lord. R C Sproul said: “If there is one maverick molecule in all the universe, then God is not sovereign. And if God is not sovereign, He is not God." Everything that happens is under the control of God, and 'luck' is therefore something that doesn’t exists. It is therefore wrong for a believer to try his 'luck' in gambling. As Proverbs 16:33 teaches “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” 

f.  It preys on the poor

The principle on which all forms of gambling work is that there are few who win and many who lose. Those losers fund not only the winner, but also the gambling organization. The vast majority of people who gamble (especially Lotto) are people who are desperately poor and live in the hope that they will win themselves rich. The marketing of many of these gambling companies is precisely aimed at the poor, especially in third world countries. For some, a few Rand on a lottery ticket is not a big loss, but for others, it is all they have. If you win in gambling it is on the backs of the poor and it does not please God. Proverbs 14:31 says "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours him." To convey this point even more strongly says Proverbs 22:22-23 “Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.” 

g.God requires good stewardship

The Lord expects believers to honour God in everything they do, including our money. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” God gave you your money as a gift through which you must honour Him and by gambling you are not a good steward of the Lord's money. Gambling does not honour God.

 

While the Bible does not directly speak against gambling, it is clear from the above that there are numerous Scriptural principles that show that it does not please God. The believer should not gamble, because our desire in everything is to honour God. Instead of placing your hope in gambling, place your trust completely in the Lord while earning an income with honest hard work. It is worldly people who chase wealth in the hope that it will give them joy and a carefree life, but it won't, it only multiplies their troubles. The believer who rests in the Lord can be sure of his daily bread and in many cases so much more because the sovereign God knows how to take care of His children.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Mag gelowiges dobbel?

 

Mag gelowiges dobbel?

Na aanleiding van die stuk wat ek oor geld geskryf het, het iemand my gevra om meer uit te brei op die saak van dobbelary.  Terwyl daar geen spesifieke Bybelvers is wat sê “Jy mag nie dobbel nie”, moet die gelowige erken dat dit nie die beste rentmeesterskap van jou geld is nie.  Verder is daar duidelik baie Bybelse beginsels wat deur die praktyk van dobbelary verbreek word.  Die gelowige moet homself nie aan enige vorm van dobbelary skuldig maak nie, want dit is nie tot eer van God nie. 

 

1. Moderne vorme van dobbelary

Daar is baie modern vorme van dobbelary. Sommige van hierdie ‘spelletjies’ kan baie onskuldig voorkom, maar die beginsel agter dit is soorgelyk aan dobbelary.  Hier is ‘n paar voorbeelde: 

a.Dobbelhuise

-    Slot masjiene

-    Kaartspel vir geld (Poker, Black Jack ens.)

-    Dobbel tafels (Rollet, Baccarat, Craps)

b.Lottery

-    Lotto

-    Krapkaartjies

c. Sport wettenskappe

-    Sokker, Rugby, Kriket en enige ander

-    Perde- of hondewedrenne

d.Internet dobbelspelletjies

-    Dobbel webtuistes

(Selfs aflaaibare dobbel spelletjies, terwyl daar miskien geen fisiese geld betrokke is nie, skep die begeerte om te wen)

e. Televisie programme

-    ‘Big Brother’ en ander ‘geluk’ en ‘wins’ gedrewe programme

f.  Meer ‘onskuldige’ spelletjies

-    Karnaval- of Basaarspelletjies

-    Die gooi van ‘n munstuk of dobbelsteen

-    ‘Rock/Paper/Scissors’

 

Ons leef in ‘n wêreld wat behep is met voorspoed en rykdom en daar is sekerlik talle ander vorme van dobbel wat ek nie eers van bewus is nie.  Enige praktyk waar daar ‘n wenner en verloorder is en waar daar voordeel bekom word (finansieel of andersins) ten koste van die verloorder kan geklasifiseer word as dobbel.

 

2. Bybelse voorbeelde van dobbel? 

Sommige mense probeer om Bybelse gebeure te gebruik om dobbelary te regverdig.  Kom ons kyk na die tekste wat hulle algemeen hiervoor word om te toon dat dit in geen manier die moderne praktyk van dobbelary regverdig nie. 

Een so voorbeeld wat baie keer opgebring word is dat die soldate die lot gewerp (looitjies getrek) het vir Jesus se klere na sy kruisiging.  Dit word in Markus 15:24 genoem.  ‘n Ander voorbeeld wat soms gebruik word om dobbelary te regverdig is die verhaal van Simson. By sy bruilhof stel hy aan sy gaste ‘n raaisel.  Indien enige van hulle die raaisel kan uitwerk sal hy aan hulle 30 stelle klere gee.  Sy vrou verlei hom dan om vir haar die antwoord te gee en Simon in sy boosheid gaan uit en slaan 30 mans dood en gee vir die persoon hulle klere.  Ek gropeer hierdie twee Bybelse voorbeelde saam omdat beide handel oor klere.  Wat ek egter wil hê ons moet in beide van hierdie gevalle sien is dat die praktyk van dobbel nie hier in ‘n goeie lig gestel word nie, maar ‘n slegte lig.   Die soldate neem die klere wat aan Jesus behoort en verdeel dit onder hulleself, dis diefstal!  Dis om iemand anders se eiendom op oneerlike wyse te bekom.  In die verhaal van Simson vind ons oneerlikheid, bedrog, moord en diefstal sodat die wat gewen het hulle oneerlik wins kan ontvang. Een van die grootste probleme met dobbelary is juis dat dit op die verlies van ander prooi om jou te verryk.  Daar is verder baie oneerlikheid wat met die dobbel industrie gepaard gaan.  

Maar daar is nog ander Bybelse voorbeeld wat deur baie gebruik word om dobbelary te regverdig.  In tekste soos Joshua 18:10, Nehemia 10:34, Handelinge 1:26 en ander word die lot gewerp om besluite te maak.  Maar die gewerp van die lot om God se wil te soek in ‘n saak is nie dobbelary nie.  Dit was die Godgegewe manier in Bybelse tye wat God soewerein ingespan het om Sy wil aan mense bekend te maak.   Dit het niks met dobbelary te make nie. Spreuke 16:33 wys juis God se soewereiniteit in hierdie saak “In die skoot word die lot gewerp, maar elke beslissing daarvan kom van die HERE.”  Dit het niks hier te make met soek na ‘geluk’ of voorspoed nie, maar na die soeke na God se wil.  Daar was nie in hierdie tekste ingespan om mense ryk te maak nie, maar wys te maak in wat God behaag in die spesifieke situasie.  Dit was in Bybelse tye die God bepaalde manier om sy wil aan sy dienaars te openbaar.

 

3. Bybelse beginsels teen dobbel 

Waarom dobbel mense? Dis om jou geluk op die proef te stel in die hoop om vinnig ryk te word of voordeel te bekom.  Maar dit staan teen talle Bybelse beginsels: 

a.Najaag van rykdom is gevaarlik

Die gelowige behoort nie rykdom na te jaag nie, want die Bybel leer ons dat daar soms ernstige gevaar daarmee kan saamgaan.  So lees ons byvoorbeeld in Markus 4:19 fsy rykdom lei tot wêreldse sorge waarin mense dan verstrik word en sodoende nie die Here ten volle, of enigsins, volg nie.  In Markus 10:25 vind ons die rykjongman wat nie bereid was om af te sien van sy rykdom om Jesus te volg nie.  In beide gevalle is rykdom ‘n stuikelblok om geestelike voordeel te bekom.  Die probleem is baie keer juis dit wat Jesus in Lukas 16:13 aanspreek “Geen huiskneg kan twee here dien nie; want hy sal òf die een haat en die ander een liefhê, òf die een aanhang en die ander een verag. Julle kan nie God én Mammon dien nie.” Vir baie ryk persone is hulle geld (Mammon) waar hulle ware lojaliteit lê.  Christenskap vra nie dat jy noodwendig van al jou geld ontslae moet raak nie, maar dit vra dat jy dit nie sal verafgod en ‘n primêre prioriteit in jou lewe moet maak nie.  Paulus maak hierdie punt ook duidleik in 1 Timoteus 6:10 “Want die geldgierigheid is ‘n wortel van alle euwels; en omdat sommige dit begeer, het hulle afgedwaal van die geloof en hulleself met baie smarte deurboor.”  

b.Inkomste moet verdien word deur harde werk

Toe die Here die mens gemaak het, was dit sy opdrag dat hulle hard sou werk om sodoende ‘n lewe te maak (Genesis 2:15).  So is die verwagting van die Here steeds van gelowiges om deur eerlike harde werk hulle inkomste te maak.  In 2 Thessalonicense 3:10 sê Paulus, “As iemand nie wil werk nie, moet hy ook nie eet nie.” Ook Spreuke 10:4 praat teen luiheid en sê “Hy word arm wat met ‘n trae hand werk, maar die hand van die vlytiges maak ryk.”  

‘Vlinkrykdom’ lei ook baie keer tot groot ellende leer ons in Spreuke 13:11 “Goed wat uit niks verkry is, word minder; maar hy wat met die hand bymekaarmaak, kry altyd meer.”  Deur die geskiedenis is daar talle voorbeelde van mense wat na ‘vlinkrykdom’ ook in vinnige ellende beland het.  Familietwis, egskeiding, selfs familiemoord was al die gevolg van iemand se ‘geluk’ in dobbel.  

God se verwagting is steeds dat die mens, en veral gelowiges, deur eerlike harde werk ‘n inkomste verdien. 

c. Begeerlikheid is sonde

Die najaag van geld en besittings is sonde.  Die rede waarom baie mense dobbel is omdat hulle ‘n onbevredigde behoefte aan meer geld en besittings het.  Ons hoef egter nie lank te dink aan ‘n Bybelvers wat teen begeertes praat nie.  In die Wet van die Here in Eksodus 20:17 sê dit: “Jy mag nie jou naaste se huis begeer nie; jy mag nie jou naaste se vrou begeer nie, of sy dienskneg of sy diensmaagd, of sy os of sy esel of iets wat van jou naaste is nie.”  Jou begeerte na meer is nie in ooreenstemming met God se wil nie.  Jou begeerte behoort na die Here te wees en Hy is jou versadiging. 

d.Rykdom los nie jou probleme op nie

Daar is ‘n algemene idee dat as jy net meer geld het al jou probleme opgelos sal wees.  Dit is ook een van die redes waarom sommige mense dobble.  Maar rykdom los nie ons probleme op nie. Die Byble leer ons dat rykdom veroorsaak in teendeel net meer probleme.   Prediker 5:9-14 se insig hieroor is behulpsaam:  “Hy wat geld liefhet, kry nie genoeg van geld nie, en wie rykdom liefhet, nie van inkomste nie; ook dit is dan tevergeefs. As die goed baie word, word die eters baie; watter voordeel het die besitter dan daarvan, behalwe dat sy oë dit aanskou? Soet is die slaap van die arbeider, of hy min en of hy baie eet; maar die oorversadiging van die ryke laat hom nie toe om te slaap nie. Daar is ‘n smartlike onheil wat ek onder die son gesien het: rykdom wat deur sy besitter bewaar word tot sy eie ongeluk.  Gaan hierdie rykdom verlore deur ‘n ongeval, en het hy ‘n seun verwek, dan besit dié niks nie. Soos hy uit die skoot van sy moeder uitgegaan het, gaan hy naak weer heen soos hy gekom het; en hy sal vir sy moeitevolle arbeid niks wegdra wat hy met hom kan saamneem nie.” 

e. Hoop op geluk is onChristelik

Dobbel is gebaseer op die beginsel van geluk, maar gelowiges behoort nie in geluk of toeval te glo nie.  Ons glo in die voorsienigheid en soewereiniteit van God wat vir ons alles gee wat ons het.  Die gelowige behoort daarom nie sy hoop in ‘spoedwins’ pryktyke te plaas nie, maar moet die Here vertrou.  R C Sproul het gesê: “As daar een rebelse molekule in die hele heelal bestaan, dan is God nie soewerein nie.  En As God nie sowerein is nie, is Hy nie God nie.” Alles wat gebeur is onder die beheer van God, en ‘geluk’ is daarom nie iets wat bestaan nie.  Dit is daarom verkeerd vir ‘n gelowige om sy ‘geluk’ in dobbel te probeer.  Soos Spreuke 16:33 leer “In die skoot word die lot gewerp, maar elke beslissing daarvan kom van die HERE.” 

f.  Dit prooi op armes

Die beginsel waarop alle vorme van dobbelary werk is dat daar min is wat wen en baie is wat verloor.  Daardie verloorders befonds nie net die wenner nie, maar ook hulle dobbelorganisasie.  Die oorgrote meerderheid van mense wat dobbel (veral Lotto) is mense wat desperaat arm is en in die hoop lewe dat hulle hulself ryk gaan wen.  Die bemarking van baie van hierdie dobbelmaatskappye is juis gemik op die armes, veral in derde wêreldse lande.  Vir sommige is ‘n paar Rand op ‘n lottokaartjie nie ‘n groot verlies nie, maar vir ander is dit miskein als wat hulle het.  As jy in dobbel wen is dit op die rug van die armes en dit behaag God nie. Spreuke 14:31 sê “Wie die geringe verdruk, versmaad sy Maker, maar hy wat hom oor die behoefteige ontferm, een Hom.”  Om hierdie punt nog sterker oor te dra sê Spreuke 22:22-23 “Beroof die arme nie, omdat hy arm is, en verbrysel die ellendige nie in die poort nie.  Want die HERE sal hulle saak verdedig en hulle berowers van die lewe berowe.” 

g.God vereis goeie rentmeesterskap

Die Here verwag van gelowiges om God te eer in alles wat hulle doen, ook ons geld.  1 Korintiërs 10:31 sê “Of julle dan eet of drink of enigiets doen, doen alles tot verheerliking van God.”  God het jou geld aan jou gegee as ‘n gawe waardeur jy Hom moet eer en deur te dobbel is jy nie ‘n goeie rentmeester van die Here se geld nie.  Dobbelary eer God nie.

 

Terwyl die Bybel nie direk teen dobbel praat nie, is dit duidelik uit die bogenoemde dat daar talle Skrifbeginsels is wat wys dat dit God nie behaag nie.  Die gelowige moenie dobbel nie, want ons begeerte in alles is om God te eer.  Instede daarvan om jou hoop in dobbelary te plaas, plaas jou vertroue volkome in die Here terwyl jy met eerlike harde werk ‘n inkomste verdien.  Dis wêreldse mense wat rykdom najaag in die hoop dat dit hulle blydskap en ‘n sorgelose lewe sal gee, maar dit sal nie, dit vermenigvuldig net hulle probleme.  Die gelowige wat rus in die Here kan seker wees van sy daaglikse brood en in baie gevalle soveel meer omdat die soewereine God weet hoe om vir Sy kinders te sorg.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk