When it’s Right to Gamble

So then, welcome him (Epaphroditus) in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. (Philippians 2:29-30)

When we think of people gambling, images of casinos, betting shops and online sites come to mind. We hear stories of men and women who have lost family, friends, possessions, houses and cars as a result of gambling. However, has it ever occurred to you that, if you are walking with God, in obedience to Him, that you too are a gambler? The difference is, you are not going to lose in God’s gambling arena, you always emerge a winner.

While reading a commentary on Philippians 2, with reference to Epaphroditus who ‘risked his life’ to help Paul, the writer noted: ‘Risk is a gambler’s word. It means that Epaphroditus risked everything on the turn of the dice. He gambled his life to help Paul’. 

We read of many other people who similarly ‘gambled’ their lives in order to obey God. One of these was Mary, the mother of Jesus.

​In her mid-teens when she received the visitation from the Angel Gabriel, Mary had a choice to make.Luke 1:29 tells us that:

“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” 

This was no ordinary messenger with no ordinary message. This message would change Mary’s life forever, if she accepted. Mary would be gambling her reputation, and even her life if she accepted this honoured position. And that’s exactly what she did.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38)

In her youth, she risked everything she had ever held dear to her to become the mother of the Saviour of the world. Likewise Joseph, an upright man, risked his reputation and all his hopes for their future by taking Mary to be his wife. He accepted this gamble, taking Mary to  Bethlehem with him and becoming her husband.

In the light of history, we see what blessing poured on Mary’s life, on Joseph’s life and on the lives of all mankind as consequence of their risk. 

I’ve never been in a casino but I have watched  the scenes in old films. A group of people are gathered round the roulette wheel. Some have placed bets; they are totally committed. The others are watching what unfolds; they are merely onlookers. If we are to know God, really know Him; if we are to walk so closely with Him so that we hear even the whisper of his voice, we have got to be willing to be totally committed, not merely an onlooker. After weighing up what God is offering us against what we could seemingly lose, we decide every time to take the ‘risk’ and obey him. It’s the safest risk we will ever take in all our lives.

​This Christmas season, will you follow the example of Mary and Joseph and make a decision to take that risk that you have been putting off for so long. By following and obeying Jesus, we are winners every time.

Pauline Anderson