The Wired Word for 12072025 - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

The Wired Word for 12/07/2025 ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article0.00998d930354.png) ## Metadata - Author: [[The Wired Word]] - Full Title: The Wired Word for 12/07/2025 - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: - #Gambling - #ChristianEthics - #MoneyAndContentment Author: The Wired Word Source: The Wired Word email curriculum Reference: Email lesson, “Sports Industry Impacted by Betting Scandals” (Dec 7, 2025) date created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}} --- # Title: Sports Gambling, Greed, and Christian Contentment (The Wired Word 12/07/2025) ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#-notes) - [🧐 Theological Framework Analysis](#-theological-framework-analysis) - [🏛️ Historical and Cultural Context](#-historical-and-cultural-context) - [📜 Scriptural References and Interpretation](#-scriptural-references-and-interpretation) - [⚖️ Logical and Rhetorical Analysis](#-logical-and-rhetorical-analysis) - [💡 Practical Theology and Ethics](#-practical-theology-and-ethics) - [📝 Comparative Analysis](#-comparative-analysis) - [🌍 Global and Ecumenical Perspectives](#-global-and-ecumenical-perspectives) - [🔄 Change Over Time](#-change-over-time) - [🎯 Author's Goals and Audience](#-authors-goals-and-audience) - [📖 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) --- ## 📝 Summary: The article explains how legalized sports betting has become a major economic driver in professional and college sports while eroding trust in the integrity of games and harming players and fans. It links gambling to greed, love of money, and lack of contentment, then uses Exodus 20:17, Ecclesiastes 5:10, Luke 12:13-21, and 1 Timothy 6:6-10 to frame sports gambling as spiritually dangerous. It concludes with discussion questions, pastoral applications, and a prayer for contentment. --- ## 📖 Main Content: ### 🗒️ Notes - **News Background on Sports Gambling** - Sports leagues now rely heavily on gambling revenue; it “has its fingers in basically every single nook and cranny of the industry” ([industry impact](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_00007_00000-004G&startLexposition=00000_00000&emphasizeText=Gambling+is+now+the+major+driver+of+revenue+for+the+sports+leagues)). - Public concern is growing: more adults now say legal sports betting is bad for society and for sports ([Pew data](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_00009_00000-008n&startLexposition=00000_00008&emphasizeText=43%25+of+United+States+adults+say+the+legality+of+sports+betting)). - Integrity issues: scandals in the NBA (Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups) and MLB (Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz) raise fears of rigged outcomes and insider betting ([examples of scandals](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000C_00000-009E&startLexposition=00000_0000A&emphasizeText=In+Major+League+Baseball%2C+the+Department+of+Justice+has+charged+two+Cleveland+Guardians+players)). - Modern betting goes far beyond win/lose: wagers can be placed on micro-events and even trivial props (anthem length, celebrity proposals) ([range of bets](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000C_00000-009E&startLexposition=00000_0000A&emphasizeText=You+can+basically+bet+on+anything+that+happens+within+the+confines+of+a+stadium)). - **Motivations of Leagues and Harm to Players** - Leagues sought gambling revenue to offset declining engagement among younger viewers; fantasy sports and betting revived interest ([leagues’ rationale](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000F_00000-007A&startLexposition=00000_0000D&emphasizeText=Roughly+a+decade+ago%2C+sports+leagues+discovered+that+young+people+were+not+watching+sports)). - Player abuse escalates: athletes receive racial slurs, homophobic slurs, and death threats when bettors lose money; families and college athletes are targeted too ([harassment description](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000O_00000-0027&startLexposition=00000_0000G&emphasizeText=The+harassment+includes+racial+slurs%2C+homophobic+slurs%2C+and+death+threats)). - Most sports gamblers believe corruption is widespread across sports, further eroding trust. - **Pastoral Turn: Applying the Story** - The lesson invites discussion on the effects of sports gambling on individuals, families, churches, and communities, and what churches can teach and do around addiction and money ([application prompt](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000O_00000-0027&startLexposition=00000_0000G&emphasizeText=Discuss+the+effect+of+sports+gambling+on+individuals%2C+families%2C+churches+and+communities)). - “Big Questions” connect news to personal experience: betting motivations, societal concerns, greed, lack of contentment, and church teachings on money and contentment. - **Key Scriptures and Theological Framing** - **Exodus 20:17** – Command not to covet; coveting is framed as unhealthy desire and idolatry of another’s possessions or relationships ([coveting and idolatry](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000Z_00004-0001&startLexposition=00000_0000W&emphasizeText=The+final+commandment+%28or+commandments%29+says+that+the+people+%22shall+not+covet%22)). - **Ecclesiastes 5:10-17** – The “lover of money will not be satisfied with money”; wealth is tied to anxiety, hoarding, loss, and death. Honest labor is contrasted with speculative riches ([wealth and vanity](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000d_00000_00000_00000-000A&startLexposition=00000_0000a&emphasizeText=the+Teacher+focuses+on+the+ways+that+wealth+brings+worry+and+anxiety%2C+rather+than+satisfaction)). - **Luke 12:13-21** – Parable of the rich fool, reframed with a modern sports gambler upgrading lifestyle with gambling winnings, contrasted with Jesus’ warning against greed and call to be “rich toward God” ([sports gambler reimagining](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000f_00000-008U&startLexposition=00000_0000d_00000_00000_00001&emphasizeText=If+Jesus+were+to+tell+the+story+today%2C+he+might+say%2C+%22The+bets+of+a+sports+gambler+paid+off+very+well%22)). - **1 Timothy 6:6-10** – “Godliness combined with contentment” is true gain; wanting to be rich traps people in harmful desires; “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” ([contentment and danger of riches](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000o_00000-008D&startLexposition=00000_0000l&emphasizeText=In+chapter+6%2C+Paul+describes+the+value+of+%22godliness+combined+with+contentment%22)). - **Discussion and Ethical Concerns** - Ties gambling addiction to broader addictions (drugs, alcohol, food, collectibles) and notes the lure of making money “without work, without producing a useful product, without blessing others” ([Ramirez quote](https://read.readwise.io/read/01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh?endLexposition=00000_0000o_00000-008D&startLexposition=00000_0000l&emphasizeText=The+problem+with+gambling+is+that+it+lures+us+into+thinking+that+we+can+make+money+without+work)). - Raises concerns about state reliance on gambling revenue despite rising problem-gambling calls. - Encourages churches to preach, teach, and provide compassionate support for those struggling. - **Spiritual Practices and Prayer** - Invites readers to focus prayer on contentment, resisting envy, greed, and love of money. - Concludes with a prayer asking God to help believers be “fai - Summary: Thanks to the subscriber who called our attention to a news report on how the sports industry is reeling from betting scandals. Dear Class Members, Thanks to the subscriber who called our attention to a news report on how the sports industry is reeling from betting scandals. Because gambling on sports is damaging many sectors of our country, this installment of *The Wired Word* will focus on what our faith teaches us about the dangers of greed, the love of money, and the lack of contentment that often drives participation in gambling. ![](https://www.thewiredword.com/_img/tww_logo_email.jpg) **Sports Industry Impacted by Betting Scandals** ***The Wired Word*** **for the Week of December 7, 2025** **In the News** Sports gambling has been embraced by most professional sports leagues, and betting is now having an enormous effect on the economy of sports. "Gambling is now the major driver of revenue for the sports leagues," reported journalist Joon Lee on *PBS*, "whether it comes to TV ratings, the advertising for sports media outlets and sports journalism. It has its fingers in basically every single nook and cranny of the industry." Gambling is reshaping the sports industry and likely changing it for the worse. Fans know that if the outcome of a particular game is affected by gambling, its integrity is lost. A national poll says that six in ten Americans now question the integrity of sports. In addition, a growing percentage of the public sees legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and for sports, according to the Pew Research Center. Today, 43% of United States adults say the legality of sports betting in much of the country is a bad thing for society. That is up from 34% in 2022. And 40% of adults now say it is a bad thing for sports, up from 33%. People are concerned about the integrity of sports, gambling addiction and other societal harms. Recent betting scandals have rocked both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). In the NBA, player Terry Rozier and coach Chauncey Billups are accused of being involved with a major gambling ring tied to the mafia. When a player such as Rozier chooses to sit out a portion of a game, his decision has a huge effect on the bets that are being placed on how many points he will score. And if he communicates his choice to people making bets, he can enrich them in a way that is unfair to the rest of the public. These days, sports gambling is not just about placing a bet on the team that will win the game. Bets can be placed on how many points an individual basketball player will score, on the outcome of an individual pitch in a baseball game, on the length of the national anthem before the Super Bowl, and -- before last year's big game -- whether or not Travis Kelce would propose to Taylor Swift if the Chiefs won. Said Lee, "You can basically bet on anything that happens within the confines of a stadium during a sports game now." The lawyer for Billups has given a statement saying that his client has never and would never gamble on basketball games. The attorney for Rozier said that the player "is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight." People are, of course, to be considered innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law. In Major League Baseball, the Department of Justice has charged two Cleveland Guardians players, Emmanuel Clasé and Luis Ortiz, over their alleged roles to rig bets on pitches thrown during MLB games. Clasé has been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, someone who could prevent his opponent from scoring when games were tight. He is accused of intentionally throwing his first pitch in the dirt, and telling his friends that his first pitch would be a ball. They could then bet on the first pitch, enrich themselves, and steer some of the winnings back to Clasé. The lawyer for Clasé has issued a statement saying his client is innocent of all charges. The lawyer for Ortiz has also denied the charges and said that the player has never and would never improperly influence a game. Whether these professional athletes are guilty or not, accusations of cheating undermine the integrity of sports and make people less interested in watching games. With such a negative effect, why would sports leagues allow gambling? In a word: money. Roughly a decade ago, sports leagues discovered that young people were not watching sports as frequently as before. At the same time, research found that younger people were more engaged with sports when they were tied to doing fantasy sports or to sports betting. Sports leagues pushed for legalized sports gambling in an effort to save their entire business. Although sports gambling may draw young people to sports, it is having a negative effect on the players. "I have conversations across sports in locker rooms," said Lee, "and players are getting harassed in their Instagram direct messages by fans who have lost money because of something that they did during a game." They are getting harassed whether they play well or poorly, "because someone is losing money as a result of their performance." The harassment includes racial slurs, homophobic slurs, and death threats. Their spouses, children and families have been threatened as well. And since gamblers can now bet on college as well as professional games, the abuse is extending to college athletes. These players "are getting harassed," said Lee, as they are "trying to basically make their way through college and, you know, pay for their education." A recent poll revealed that 75% of sports gamblers believe that corruption extends beyond the NBA, existing across all sports. "That is terrible news for the leagues," concluded Lee. More on this story can be found at these links: [Amanpour and Company: How the Sports Industry Is Reeling From Betting Scandals.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJpJfm-2BmSfdk2TtDrNsT6oMmkj6URUHnHcGvGNIvnu2TIKfl-2BIaYxWFv5Yii8Yz9Qx8-2BCCq1CqGrNABCTW0-2BKXueQXx20rEK2IrDKmLtXnri4bcCz4fyHK1oKB00g5Gujg-3D-3D7knV_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcVGDKEQ7YBg4DMkPZuGIRbz-2FRhrnXK79MLbe1bDxarKOaA4XvGajQiCIrUCMMWSovyNr3dxTblzMYELSywHoSSv1Sneut-2BH20mioYHuihCC3q7JiiWmE0Q0Xu-2FP6V-2FTzfmkvb8lxEyVMj23fx2fLWeb5ax0bUwRm48xk53iqKsaZ2SBRZVRZRdqG-2FDu4DxMug08ZTFznsy59GIFlM-2B7lJQs-3D) [*PBS*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJpJfm-2BmSfdk2TtDrNsT6oMmkj6URUHnHcGvGNIvnu2TIKfl-2BIaYxWFv5Yii8Yz9Qx8-2BCCq1CqGrNABCTW0-2BKXueQXx20rEK2IrDKmLtXnri4bcCz4fyHK1oKB00g5Gujg-3D-3DM_JF_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbd76ASQ-2FSJqmC-2F1pSHKm51YipVcJd5SF7QFCVj51aJF6bCRnNCck7oBj2Q-2FNY3-2FnZ2sIdz9fThcZmoyA6tIiSR26ahfNiW4Cmlg-2BXY2z-2FQZhYjhXuPQuwZtOKrF4iEYLLeOlfSINetKwRpLlboajmIGmlxF-2F-2Fx8HwFL-2FLEdohcaOpGbM3WYNtDrRbRmgBVk21lWDO43l8tHqRlYbhIh-2B9A-3D) [Americans Increasingly See Legal Sports Betting as a Bad Thing for Society and Sports.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCfhlFgA3XkLL-2FQ1xTwG0fiBv9qlau3ew-2Bz-2BqDw-2FvS65n16AjG8CAnUQeM-2FHBe3ryNwZuTFBAcH5Za7DcVS37FVfXigRG-2FZ9wpFXrzmXlGvwt6K2n2a1k-2FOj7VCttHZO9UGDRO4jIKnh6UMap7GQD3u-2BK91UExy52FfoPjl2mUP8xYouT3-2FDIaKBEsym-2BuJOBQ-3D-3DT4kR_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbrdwMAGndKGedxaQBECidOZwN3zOhSNDz4PQTgEI-2FJs-2F1abmJqIOuGwpNGcFe-2F5uiTddOrfvkhNRc3-2FpYlwOhAVe5e-2B5wgAt8Gcujqwm6c6EoZ6JzhiPGmz5nWQ0BBvM5ws5KZRj7NpKnDXUXsLY-2BfEiOc-2FEW1CW6ML4y4CCnSec3DqtHokWCfHJZtHfToI7vdz07v5i0RTBMGnptxHl7s-3D) [*Pew Research Center*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCfhlFgA3XkLL-2FQ1xTwG0fiBv9qlau3ew-2Bz-2BqDw-2FvS65n16AjG8CAnUQeM-2FHBe3ryNwZuTFBAcH5Za7DcVS37FVfXigRG-2FZ9wpFXrzmXlGvwt6K2n2a1k-2FOj7VCttHZO9UGDRO4jIKnh6UMap7GQD3u-2BK91UExy52FfoPjl2mUP8xYouT3-2FDIaKBEsym-2BuJOBQ-3D-3DYn7r_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcWB80YQnCygU-2B-2B-2FzoFNTD7O27ByxnjfNilOjkCGho-2Bv6LgC0Rku0lKhauALUKI1tvbzOnJ3zSeHQZjobZlPaeL-2BVQ7MjMVTM7xmIqfxHx76XSkzbbaPcAexSZ-2B8KN8Uwvg1aT-2BVzhq65HLMPE-2FYOFS83hndkDlQ0YgcdZsTtvlGvwFnnW-2BfJ1dCWPMuO4uSOuPunp2NYSspS96715j6zR4M-3D) **Applying the News Story** Discuss the effect of sports gambling on individuals, families, churches and communities. Explore what the church might preach or teach on the topic. Reflect on what you might do to help a family member or friend struggling with gambling addiction. Talk about your attitude toward money, your experience with greed, and how your faith helps you to find contentment with what you have. **The Big Questions** 1. When, if ever, have you or someone close to you, placed a sports bet? What motivated you? How did you feel about the experience? 2. What concerns, if any, do you have about the effect of sports gambling on individuals, on society, and on sports? 3. How is gambling connected to greed? In the Christian tradition, why is greed one of the "seven deadly sins"? 4. Where do you see sports leagues, professional athletes and gamblers motivated by a love of money? What is the danger? 5. What does your church teach about contentment? How do you think a lack of contentment could drive a desire to gamble? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Exodus 20:17***You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female slave, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.* (For context, read [Exodus 20:1-17.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxx2FEd3BoRBTxbt4VK5xnRnAtEJuBBasQRlzvQDDnONxGUXn2cw4g55OcWHH-2BhZBpzCS8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcWw0PF56iJGz3no-2FMfu0jNwnQgm4X3vhLsZMdMuXlnah2YqzCnfCvg738oDJGeYDq46jFTzR5SFWzxaefRhKGwgk8HHMjTjiA-2BKVcQ03Sh2yGpkbHeptoyFK1xSWe2tegzpQBgpj0kmpIYPZPsPQFK0hpRx-2BajmSfE3kGKyZ5bA8nAABqUlY2HmvYX-2Fp0hvrqRySUL0sOYaaMjEpMBdZtHA-3D)) At the heart of the book of Exodus is the story of the Israelites escaping Egyptian bondage. This story is central to Jewish faith and identity, remembered each year in the celebration of Passover. The word *exodus* is from Greek and means "going out" -- that is, going out of captivity in Egypt. Once the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, they entered the wilderness of Sinai. There, God gave them the Ten Commandments or Decalogue, which means "ten words." God spoke these words and also wrote them on tablets, and they became the cornerstone of the laws given to the people of Israel. The final commandment (or commandments) says that the people "shall not covet." Coveting the possessions of one's neighbor includes both items and people, and it is defined as an envious desire for the things that belong to another person. The commandment conveys a sense of unhealthy desire that tends toward idolatry, making a god of "your neighbor's house" or "your neighbor's wife" or "anything that belongs to your neighbor." > **Questions:** When is gambling motivated by an unhealthy desire for money or possessions? How could such an urge be controlled by a commitment to keeping the tenth commandment? When, if ever, have you seen desire for money or possessions tip into idolatry? **Ecclesiastes 5:10***The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity.* (For context, read [Ecclesiastes 5:10-17.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxwo1yRV2l8a4Gm-2FxomKEKNatSWZQN3yLCZMGyLulGf9MDSMjYCH3oJ2sRjueP818e9Nwt_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTccC53PPi5pVgBBpiwLS19b6XUSQAy2JBm2h4j9iwwB9e0Lbuyt-2B60j4gvN1k4J-2FlJD2DF6CllvJ4NKlVfBrY0kzXkep9kDADoVquzRV59bWtb-2BvakQF91VmZMwTWqvZeBebNxTQoaYXCy-2F45nEGJp0A6k0-2B-2BD4IlPvKCeVC8HEUXs92n5JMb5miOKKIrtEgv-2BsLlvkxk0CzZ4nhL9-2Bk6xI8-3D)) Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book which contains the words of "the Teacher" or "the Preacher," identified as "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). The book addresses the ultimate questions of life and death, beginning with the observation that "[a]ll is vanity" (1:2). The Teacher -- called *Qoheleth* in Hebrew -- takes a cold-eyed look at the world and says that all is worthless, meaningless and absurd. In the fifth chapter, the Teacher focuses on the ways that wealth brings worry and anxiety, rather than satisfaction. He says that the "lover of money will not be satisfied with money" -- the expectation of such satisfaction is pure vanity ( 5:9). Good sleep does not come from the "abundance of the rich," but instead from a full day of honest labor (v. 12). The Teacher describes three scenarios in which wealth leads to sorrow: (1) when a person hoards (v. 13); (2) when a person makes an investment and loses (v. 14); and (3) death, which comes for all (v. 15). > **Questions:** What kind of satisfaction do gamblers seek through sports betting? When, if ever, are they satisfied? If you have ever made an investment and lost, how did you deal with the sorrow of losing, and what did you learn from the experience? **Luke 12:21***So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. (*For context, read [Luke 12:13-21](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYyXWZYQ9lUolNd22Ezpv-2FM3RoIyw1-2F4l8GrclUAHGVV94Szr9c8Oy6A9RKTHafrvUf8R_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcU0YbC-2BkqmNuhPCKVi58xDx-2F0de7Gr-2Bb0gu75xIpCwh8boENek6jQyvhgrDTcFJMbqYbK2fFmB3x56fJ3f7Idva6EINW-2BwRWqNvjnTxXg-2BRsqf4NsCewUOHHfDrIGXNWmwJj0X5NCXLOD593rERIoN7wfXcNXVW-2FWRc1xWEsVi2MhFcWUJJMJMw4PZ07FAN-2By5fUCKv1MPX3GHKUBmX52Tk-3D).) In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable to a crowd of people and warns them to be on guard "against all kinds of greed" (12:15). The main character in his story is a rich man whose land produced abundantly, leaving him with the challenge of figuring out where to store his crops. He makes the decision to upsize, saying, "I will pull down my barns and build larger ones" (v. 18). If Jesus were to tell the story today, he might say, "The bets of a sports gambler paid off very well, and he decided to buy a professional gas grill, a 65-inch television and a wine refrigerator. The man thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have no place to put these beautiful things.' Then he said, 'I will do this: I will sell my house and buy a larger one, with a huge outdoor patio, a home theater and a dream kitchen.' And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have really made it now; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'" In Luke, Jesus says, "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (v. 20). So it is, Jesus says, "with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." The fool in the parable was blind to the spiritual danger of greed. He failed to see that there is more to life than the accumulation of possessions. He invested and bought and built, and when the day came for him to die, he was not ready for it. He could not answer the question asked by God, "the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (v. 20). > **Questions:** How are you on guard against all kinds of greed? What does it mean to you to be rich toward God? How can the church do a better job of helping people to manage their possessions and prepare for the end of life? **1 Timothy 6:6-10***Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it, but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.* (No context needed.) Paul's first letter to Timothy was written by the apostle to a younger colleague, one that he described as "my true child in the faith" (1:2). Paul trusted Timothy to minister to churches in his absence. In the letter, Paul warns Timothy about false teachers, offers instructions concerning prayer, lists the qualifications of bishops and deacons, outlines duties in God's household, and concludes with a description of true riches. In chapter 6, Paul describes the value of "godliness combined with contentment," and says that followers of Christ should be content with "food and clothing." He warns about the danger of wanting to be rich, and says that such people "are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires." According to Paul, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," and he notes that the desire to be rich has caused some to wander "away from the faith" and suffer great pain. > **Questions:** As a follower of Christ, where do you find contentment? What "senseless and harmful desires" do you see in people who are anxious to be rich? What "ruin and destruction" can come from gambling? How does your Christian faith help you to have a healthy relationship with money? **For Further Discussion** 1. Just as one "can be addicted to drugs, alcohol, food and collectibles, all of which may have a legitimate use, one can certainly be addicted to gambling," notes TWW Team Member Frank Ramirez. A friend pointed out to him that "the problem with gambling is that it lures us into thinking that we can make money without work, without producing a useful project, without blessing others." Where do you see problems with gambling? What would you say to a friend or loved one who had become addicted to gambling? 2. The homepage of the DraftKings Sportsbook, a sports betting and online gaming company, contains the warning, "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-532-3500." Why is DraftKings required or encouraged to make such a statement? What concerns does it raise for you? 3. "The New York State Gaming Commission noted a 26% increase in problem gambling-related calls to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports from 2021 to 2022," [reports](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKQ82ZcUITnAmJYlC96hxF5qi0WyyAnCVpVGp-2FyoVjaet1igtGLqyBtrqaZ-2B0rYJVNAtM7nEekyjiDzlOIWZPp4Dr-2BFKBMXL9HXsB7Ks-2BjafEaBCKyk-2F-2BBRsoyQ3q-2BgwCXVaoUtY5Xs2PPo0c2cb4pY-3DB_oF_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcQxUqUnQkV98mKlgfDgEGkjLNDdcVWRcLq-2Fo47Z8XYKBXqi4YXyms6x9is1uzKlFoMjz9hIko3o1fXaU15ZNWgQLMQMnz0FoDI6ZabXEG2fJjb-2FtFk7oTIt-2FksCeGlWHtBBePJgywUp8O3AiiG2dnRVa5XDECw9Ka2GdCXUc9YCeSxEmqpgd9Nr0oH4EpzSLmKZEeRZLAqWZPulvnaA-2F82k-3D) [*NBC News*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKQ82ZcUITnAmJYlC96hxF5qi0WyyAnCVpVGp-2FyoVjaet1igtGLqyBtrqaZ-2B0rYJVNAtM7nEekyjiDzlOIWZPp4Dr-2BFKBMXL9HXsB7Ks-2BjafEaBCKyk-2F-2BBRsoyQ3q-2BgwCXVaoUtY5Xs2PPo0c2cb4pY-3DLy8n_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbI6oFaz0dn9OmmDVIYMFhBvR7gZ0BRLWHALEpzWCUfn9F9n1DOpRzC95bYyU1iYVO0-2Bgsi31WvRTVGulUxcWTZ7aNv-2BywJMD2UCeKDzs4Lx5WjTRX-2BIDIDE3pbF46ZVB-2BCIxB2zkALfpudl6pmKRJsXDyKhWZsrOXkpuRn713fm4JbphBtkz18K23LdEnHKWdwol7IcLHF3nJi5p9wW2rM-3D). "Yet states continue to see gambling as a cash cow. [Many] are now introducing legislation to further capitalize on the growth in gambling, whether through increasing tax rates or replacing existing levies with funding from gambling." How do you feel about states making money from gambling? What would you say to a politician who considered revenue from legalized sports gambling to be a solution to budget problems in your state? 4. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul speaks about contentment. "I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (4:12-13). How is your relationship with Christ a source of contentment for you? How does Jesus strengthen you in times of plenty and in times of need? Be specific. **Responding to the News** Focus your prayer life on contentment in the week to come, asking for God's help as you face the temptations of envy, greed and the love of money. Keep your eyes open for those who are struggling with gambling or other addictions, and respond with compassion. Make your church a place in which money is managed well, in line with the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. **Prayer** Generous God, source of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for giving us what we need for life. Help us not to gamble away our precious resources, or to use them in selfish pursuits. May we be faithful stewards of our money and our possessions, using them in ways that serve our neighbors and honor your Son Jesus. Amen. ****Copyright 2025 Communication Resources**** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=mr_ncgmdziW8j5dLmQ_H_8zMruJxkRkmF1oomD0OrnxoMDAwdTAwMKLiTQ7xbPkVjqIgvxhw5hwT-zxMX1XnDmzbpkHvpyJhyJanL_zC0OE2EYdkdlVEraXjYLyNIWOUsZO6vY8CbfPco9glKSORXLYR5FJmLsEkX16KtU-uiHB-6skgrNPVIeeOZjsDd6ds-ks-hvhvIGrSqa68JGg8Tt9wlog0zjHlMl-8Q-2GhNp4qtV-WD8Tm-ZBYHPQQnTe5nmBa0v0ZrAI-TEmvj4T66R6oHBvCPNqgxYO8GhuSod-ZURKasKrH5nuAtMgzIXUc26A0mhZcMTup49MMjYV_liUcksCxBsgXDKakaQPpp4vikcMoI_YAlIS5z8nIkvhk0g6xirR_cFwAMPcvEfv4_ibo6Rpe84kxH6uKHDdyxToNh6L9SuBZkzuB7LnQ-E7OfVcPsFA4qq635wr6FSTQaawSnLC_ajg70fxWW_wftLGByC2Fmv_soxCu109wTuJawYaKHYFNkGXz2lTnE5uISkePEixODVifPR6MuNfveC7PfcVH7M0zStdV8buFdYNGypho5kGzQcKcDMHKM6iAXpzdPFBbIkDg5r6OGXEEBcwFdRr7Zl5JMBpm-Jr1CDcM5aEW8z0ebI=) <div>Dear Class Members, Thanks to the subscriber who called our attention to a news report on how the sports industry is reeling from betting scandals. Because gambling on sports is damaging many sectors of our country, this installment of The Wired Word will focus on what our faith teaches us about the dangers of greed, the love of money, and the lack of contentment that often drives participation in gambling. <center><img src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></center> Sports Industry Impacted by Betting Scandals The Wired Word for the Week of December 7, 2025 In the News Sports gambling has been embraced by most professional sports leagues, and betting is now having an enormous effect on the economy of sports. "Gambling is now the major driver of revenue for the sports leagues," reported journalist Joon Lee on PBS, "whether it comes to TV ratings, the advertising for sports media outlets and sports journalism. It has its fingers in basically every single nook and cranny of the industry." Gambling is reshaping the sports industry and likely changing it for the worse. Fans know that if the outcome of a particular game is affected by gambling, its integrity is lost. A national poll says that six in ten Americans now question the integrity of sports. In addition, a growing percentage of the public sees legal sports betting as a bad thing for society and for sports, according to the Pew Research Center. Today, 43% of United States adults say the legality of sports betting in much of the country is a bad thing for society. That is up from 34% in 2022. And 40% of adults now say it is a bad thing for sports, up from 33%. People are concerned about the integrity of sports, gambling addiction and other societal harms. Recent betting scandals have rocked both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). In the NBA, player Terry Rozier and coach Chauncey Billups are accused of being involved with a major gambling ring tied to the mafia. When a player such as Rozier chooses to sit out a portion of a game, his decision has a huge effect on the bets that are being placed on how many points he will score. And if he communicates his choice to people making bets, he can enrich them in a way that is unfair to the rest of the public. These days, sports gambling is not just about placing a bet on the team that will win the game. Bets can be placed on how many points an individual basketball player will score, on the outcome of an individual pitch in a baseball game, on the length of the national anthem before the Super Bowl, and -- before last year's big game -- whether or not Travis Kelce would propose to Taylor Swift if the Chiefs won. Said Lee, "You can basically bet on anything that happens within the confines of a stadium during a sports game now." The lawyer for Billups has given a statement saying that his client has never and would never gamble on basketball games. The attorney for Rozier said that the player "is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight, and he looks forward to winning this fight." People are, of course, to be considered innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law. In Major League Baseball, the Department of Justice has charged two Cleveland Guardians players, Emmanuel Clasé and Luis Ortiz, over their alleged roles to rig bets on pitches thrown during MLB games. Clasé has been one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, someone who could prevent his opponent from scoring when games were tight. He is accused of intentionally throwing his first pitch in the dirt, and telling his friends that his first pitch would be a ball. They could then bet on the first pitch, enrich themselves, and steer some of the winnings back to Clasé. The lawyer for Clasé has issued a statement saying his client is innocent of all charges. The lawyer for Ortiz has also denied the charges and said that the player has never and would never improperly influence a game. Whether these professional athletes are guilty or not, accusations of cheating undermine the integrity of sports and make people less interested in watching games. With such a negative effect, why would sports leagues allow gambling? In a word: money. Roughly a decade ago, sports leagues discovered that young people were not watching sports as frequently as before. At the same time, research found that younger people were more engaged with sports when they were tied to doing fantasy sports or to sports betting. Sports leagues pushed for legalized sports gambling in an effort to save their entire business. Although sports gambling may draw young people to sports, it is having a negative effect on the players. "I have conversations across sports in locker rooms," said Lee, "and players are getting harassed in their Instagram direct messages by fans who have lost money because of something that they did during a game." They are getting harassed whether they play well or poorly, "because someone is losing money as a result of their performance." The harassment includes racial slurs, homophobic slurs, and death threats. Their spouses, children and families have been threatened as well. And since gamblers can now bet on college as well as professional games, the abuse is extending to college athletes. These players "are getting harassed," said Lee, as they are "trying to basically make their way through college and, you know, pay for their education." A recent poll revealed that 75% of sports gamblers believe that corruption extends beyond the NBA, existing across all sports. "That is terrible news for the leagues," concluded Lee. More on this story can be found at these links: <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJpJfm-2BmSfdk2TtDrNsT6oMmkj6URUHnHcGvGNIvnu2TIKfl-2BIaYxWFv5Yii8Yz9Qx8-2BCCq1CqGrNABCTW0-2BKXueQXx20rEK2IrDKmLtXnri4bcCz4fyHK1oKB00g5Gujg-3D-3D7knV\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcVGDKEQ7YBg4DMkPZuGIRbz-2FRhrnXK79MLbe1bDxarKOaA4XvGajQiCIrUCMMWSovyNr3dxTblzMYELSywHoSSv1Sneut-2BH20mioYHuihCC3q7JiiWmE0Q0Xu-2FP6V-2FTzfmkvb8lxEyVMj23fx2fLWeb5ax0bUwRm48xk53iqKsaZ2SBRZVRZRdqG-2FDu4DxMug08ZTFznsy59GIFlM-2B7lJQs-3D">Amanpour and Company: How the Sports Industry Is Reeling From Betting Scandals. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJpJfm-2BmSfdk2TtDrNsT6oMmkj6URUHnHcGvGNIvnu2TIKfl-2BIaYxWFv5Yii8Yz9Qx8-2BCCq1CqGrNABCTW0-2BKXueQXx20rEK2IrDKmLtXnri4bcCz4fyHK1oKB00g5Gujg-3D-3DM\_JF\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbd76ASQ-2FSJqmC-2F1pSHKm51YipVcJd5SF7QFCVj51aJF6bCRnNCck7oBj2Q-2FNY3-2FnZ2sIdz9fThcZmoyA6tIiSR26ahfNiW4Cmlg-2BXY2z-2FQZhYjhXuPQuwZtOKrF4iEYLLeOlfSINetKwRpLlboajmIGmlxF-2F-2Fx8HwFL-2FLEdohcaOpGbM3WYNtDrRbRmgBVk21lWDO43l8tHqRlYbhIh-2B9A-3D">PBS</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCfhlFgA3XkLL-2FQ1xTwG0fiBv9qlau3ew-2Bz-2BqDw-2FvS65n16AjG8CAnUQeM-2FHBe3ryNwZuTFBAcH5Za7DcVS37FVfXigRG-2FZ9wpFXrzmXlGvwt6K2n2a1k-2FOj7VCttHZO9UGDRO4jIKnh6UMap7GQD3u-2BK91UExy52FfoPjl2mUP8xYouT3-2FDIaKBEsym-2BuJOBQ-3D-3DT4kR\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbrdwMAGndKGedxaQBECidOZwN3zOhSNDz4PQTgEI-2FJs-2F1abmJqIOuGwpNGcFe-2F5uiTddOrfvkhNRc3-2FpYlwOhAVe5e-2B5wgAt8Gcujqwm6c6EoZ6JzhiPGmz5nWQ0BBvM5ws5KZRj7NpKnDXUXsLY-2BfEiOc-2FEW1CW6ML4y4CCnSec3DqtHokWCfHJZtHfToI7vdz07v5i0RTBMGnptxHl7s-3D">Americans Increasingly See Legal Sports Betting as a Bad Thing for Society and Sports. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCfhlFgA3XkLL-2FQ1xTwG0fiBv9qlau3ew-2Bz-2BqDw-2FvS65n16AjG8CAnUQeM-2FHBe3ryNwZuTFBAcH5Za7DcVS37FVfXigRG-2FZ9wpFXrzmXlGvwt6K2n2a1k-2FOj7VCttHZO9UGDRO4jIKnh6UMap7GQD3u-2BK91UExy52FfoPjl2mUP8xYouT3-2FDIaKBEsym-2BuJOBQ-3D-3DYn7r\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcWB80YQnCygU-2B-2B-2FzoFNTD7O27ByxnjfNilOjkCGho-2Bv6LgC0Rku0lKhauALUKI1tvbzOnJ3zSeHQZjobZlPaeL-2BVQ7MjMVTM7xmIqfxHx76XSkzbbaPcAexSZ-2B8KN8Uwvg1aT-2BVzhq65HLMPE-2FYOFS83hndkDlQ0YgcdZsTtvlGvwFnnW-2BfJ1dCWPMuO4uSOuPunp2NYSspS96715j6zR4M-3D">Pew Research Center</a> Applying the News Story Discuss the effect of sports gambling on individuals, families, churches and communities. Explore what the church might preach or teach on the topic. Reflect on what you might do to help a family member or friend struggling with gambling addiction. Talk about your attitude toward money, your experience with greed, and how your faith helps you to find contentment with what you have. The Big Questions 1. When, if ever, have you or someone close to you, placed a sports bet? What motivated you? How did you feel about the experience? 2. What concerns, if any, do you have about the effect of sports gambling on individuals, on society, and on sports? 3. How is gambling connected to greed? In the Christian tradition, why is greed one of the "seven deadly sins"? 4. Where do you see sports leagues, professional athletes and gamblers motivated by a love of money? What is the danger? 5. What does your church teach about contentment? How do you think a lack of contentment could drive a desire to gamble? Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, male or female slave, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxx2FEd3BoRBTxbt4VK5xnRnAtEJuBBasQRlzvQDDnONxGUXn2cw4g55OcWHH-2BhZBpzCS8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcWw0PF56iJGz3no-2FMfu0jNwnQgm4X3vhLsZMdMuXlnah2YqzCnfCvg738oDJGeYDq46jFTzR5SFWzxaefRhKGwgk8HHMjTjiA-2BKVcQ03Sh2yGpkbHeptoyFK1xSWe2tegzpQBgpj0kmpIYPZPsPQFK0hpRx-2BajmSfE3kGKyZ5bA8nAABqUlY2HmvYX-2Fp0hvrqRySUL0sOYaaMjEpMBdZtHA-3D">Exodus 20:1-17.</a>) At the heart of the book of Exodus is the story of the Israelites escaping Egyptian bondage. This story is central to Jewish faith and identity, remembered each year in the celebration of Passover. The word exodus is from Greek and means "going out" -- that is, going out of captivity in Egypt. Once the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, they entered the wilderness of Sinai. There, God gave them the Ten Commandments or Decalogue, which means "ten words." God spoke these words and also wrote them on tablets, and they became the cornerstone of the laws given to the people of Israel. The final commandment (or commandments) says that the people "shall not covet." Coveting the possessions of one's neighbor includes both items and people, and it is defined as an envious desire for the things that belong to another person. The commandment conveys a sense of unhealthy desire that tends toward idolatry, making a god of "your neighbor's house" or "your neighbor's wife" or "anything that belongs to your neighbor." <blockquote> Questions: When is gambling motivated by an unhealthy desire for money or possessions? How could such an urge be controlled by a commitment to keeping the tenth commandment? When, if ever, have you seen desire for money or possessions tip into idolatry? </blockquote> Ecclesiastes 5:10 The lover of money will not be satisfied with money, nor the lover of wealth with gain. This also is vanity. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxwo1yRV2l8a4Gm-2FxomKEKNatSWZQN3yLCZMGyLulGf9MDSMjYCH3oJ2sRjueP818e9Nwt\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTccC53PPi5pVgBBpiwLS19b6XUSQAy2JBm2h4j9iwwB9e0Lbuyt-2B60j4gvN1k4J-2FlJD2DF6CllvJ4NKlVfBrY0kzXkep9kDADoVquzRV59bWtb-2BvakQF91VmZMwTWqvZeBebNxTQoaYXCy-2F45nEGJp0A6k0-2B-2BD4IlPvKCeVC8HEUXs92n5JMb5miOKKIrtEgv-2BsLlvkxk0CzZ4nhL9-2Bk6xI8-3D">Ecclesiastes 5:10-17.</a>) Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book which contains the words of "the Teacher" or "the Preacher," identified as "the son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). The book addresses the ultimate questions of life and death, beginning with the observation that "[a]ll is vanity" (1:2). The Teacher -- called Qoheleth in Hebrew -- takes a cold-eyed look at the world and says that all is worthless, meaningless and absurd. In the fifth chapter, the Teacher focuses on the ways that wealth brings worry and anxiety, rather than satisfaction. He says that the "lover of money will not be satisfied with money" -- the expectation of such satisfaction is pure vanity ( 5:9). Good sleep does not come from the "abundance of the rich," but instead from a full day of honest labor (v. 12). The Teacher describes three scenarios in which wealth leads to sorrow: (1) when a person hoards (v. 13); (2) when a person makes an investment and loses (v. 14); and (3) death, which comes for all (v. 15). <blockquote> Questions: What kind of satisfaction do gamblers seek through sports betting? When, if ever, are they satisfied? If you have ever made an investment and lost, how did you deal with the sorrow of losing, and what did you learn from the experience? </blockquote> Luke 12:21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYyXWZYQ9lUolNd22Ezpv-2FM3RoIyw1-2F4l8GrclUAHGVV94Szr9c8Oy6A9RKTHafrvUf8R\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcU0YbC-2BkqmNuhPCKVi58xDx-2F0de7Gr-2Bb0gu75xIpCwh8boENek6jQyvhgrDTcFJMbqYbK2fFmB3x56fJ3f7Idva6EINW-2BwRWqNvjnTxXg-2BRsqf4NsCewUOHHfDrIGXNWmwJj0X5NCXLOD593rERIoN7wfXcNXVW-2FWRc1xWEsVi2MhFcWUJJMJMw4PZ07FAN-2By5fUCKv1MPX3GHKUBmX52Tk-3D">Luke 12:13-21</a>.) In the gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable to a crowd of people and warns them to be on guard "against all kinds of greed" (12:15). The main character in his story is a rich man whose land produced abundantly, leaving him with the challenge of figuring out where to store his crops. He makes the decision to upsize, saying, "I will pull down my barns and build larger ones" (v. 18). If Jesus were to tell the story today, he might say, "The bets of a sports gambler paid off very well, and he decided to buy a professional gas grill, a 65-inch television and a wine refrigerator. The man thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have no place to put these beautiful things.' Then he said, 'I will do this: I will sell my house and buy a larger one, with a huge outdoor patio, a home theater and a dream kitchen.' And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have really made it now; relax, eat, drink, be merry.'" In Luke, Jesus says, "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (v. 20). So it is, Jesus says, "with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God." The fool in the parable was blind to the spiritual danger of greed. He failed to see that there is more to life than the accumulation of possessions. He invested and bought and built, and when the day came for him to die, he was not ready for it. He could not answer the question asked by God, "the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (v. 20). <blockquote> Questions: How are you on guard against all kinds of greed? What does it mean to you to be rich toward God? How can the church do a better job of helping people to manage their possessions and prepare for the end of life? </blockquote> 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it, but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (No context needed.) Paul's first letter to Timothy was written by the apostle to a younger colleague, one that he described as "my true child in the faith" (1:2). Paul trusted Timothy to minister to churches in his absence. In the letter, Paul warns Timothy about false teachers, offers instructions concerning prayer, lists the qualifications of bishops and deacons, outlines duties in God's household, and concludes with a description of true riches. In chapter 6, Paul describes the value of "godliness combined with contentment," and says that followers of Christ should be content with "food and clothing." He warns about the danger of wanting to be rich, and says that such people "are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires." According to Paul, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," and he notes that the desire to be rich has caused some to wander "away from the faith" and suffer great pain. <blockquote> Questions: As a follower of Christ, where do you find contentment? What "senseless and harmful desires" do you see in people who are anxious to be rich? What "ruin and destruction" can come from gambling? How does your Christian faith help you to have a healthy relationship with money? </blockquote> For Further Discussion 1. Just as one "can be addicted to drugs, alcohol, food and collectibles, all of which may have a legitimate use, one can certainly be addicted to gambling," notes TWW Team Member Frank Ramirez. A friend pointed out to him that "the problem with gambling is that it lures us into thinking that we can make money without work, without producing a useful project, without blessing others." Where do you see problems with gambling? What would you say to a friend or loved one who had become addicted to gambling? 2. The homepage of the DraftKings Sportsbook, a sports betting and online gaming company, contains the warning, "If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-532-3500." Why is DraftKings required or encouraged to make such a statement? What concerns does it raise for you? 3. "The New York State Gaming Commission noted a 26% increase in problem gambling-related calls to the Office of Addiction Services and Supports from 2021 to 2022," <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKQ82ZcUITnAmJYlC96hxF5qi0WyyAnCVpVGp-2FyoVjaet1igtGLqyBtrqaZ-2B0rYJVNAtM7nEekyjiDzlOIWZPp4Dr-2BFKBMXL9HXsB7Ks-2BjafEaBCKyk-2F-2BBRsoyQ3q-2BgwCXVaoUtY5Xs2PPo0c2cb4pY-3DB\_oF\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcQxUqUnQkV98mKlgfDgEGkjLNDdcVWRcLq-2Fo47Z8XYKBXqi4YXyms6x9is1uzKlFoMjz9hIko3o1fXaU15ZNWgQLMQMnz0FoDI6ZabXEG2fJjb-2FtFk7oTIt-2FksCeGlWHtBBePJgywUp8O3AiiG2dnRVa5XDECw9Ka2GdCXUc9YCeSxEmqpgd9Nr0oH4EpzSLmKZEeRZLAqWZPulvnaA-2F82k-3D">reports </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKQ82ZcUITnAmJYlC96hxF5qi0WyyAnCVpVGp-2FyoVjaet1igtGLqyBtrqaZ-2B0rYJVNAtM7nEekyjiDzlOIWZPp4Dr-2BFKBMXL9HXsB7Ks-2BjafEaBCKyk-2F-2BBRsoyQ3q-2BgwCXVaoUtY5Xs2PPo0c2cb4pY-3DLy8n\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmW6HaHvLnvEP2Fp2tmtSPAhZvXOSN3lopw9MseHhrmudHPG4YRjena-2B5wdvhhBtTcbI6oFaz0dn9OmmDVIYMFhBvR7gZ0BRLWHALEpzWCUfn9F9n1DOpRzC95bYyU1iYVO0-2Bgsi31WvRTVGulUxcWTZ7aNv-2BywJMD2UCeKDzs4Lx5WjTRX-2BIDIDE3pbF46ZVB-2BCIxB2zkALfpudl6pmKRJsXDyKhWZsrOXkpuRn713fm4JbphBtkz18K23LdEnHKWdwol7IcLHF3nJi5p9wW2rM-3D">NBC News</a>. "Yet states continue to see gambling as a cash cow. [Many] are now introducing legislation to further capitalize on the growth in gambling, whether through increasing tax rates or replacing existing levies with funding from gambling." How do you feel about states making money from gambling? What would you say to a politician who considered revenue from legalized sports gambling to be a solution to budget problems in your state? 4. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul speaks about contentment. "I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (4:12-13). How is your relationship with Christ a source of contentment for you? How does Jesus strengthen you in times of plenty and in times of need? Be specific. Responding to the News Focus your prayer life on contentment in the week to come, asking for God's help as you face the temptations of envy, greed and the love of money. Keep your eyes open for those who are struggling with gambling or other addictions, and respond with compassion. Make your church a place in which money is managed well, in line with the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Prayer Generous God, source of every good and perfect gift, we thank you for giving us what we need for life. Help us not to gamble away our precious resources, or to use them in selfish pursuits. May we be faithful stewards of our money and our possessions, using them in ways that serve our neighbors and honor your Son Jesus. Amen. Copyright 2025 Communication Resources <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user\_id=14323725&data=mr\_ncgmdziW8j5dLmQ\_H\_8zMruJxkRkmF1oomD0OrnxoMDAwdTAwMKLiTQ7xbPkVjqIgvxhw5hwT-zxMX1XnDmzbpkHvpyJhyJanL\_zC0OE2EYdkdlVEraXjYLyNIWOUsZO6vY8CbfPco9glKSORXLYR5FJmLsEkX16KtU-uiHB-6skgrNPVIeeOZjsDd6ds-ks-hvhvIGrSqa68JGg8Tt9wlog0zjHlMl-8Q-2GhNp4qtV-WD8Tm-ZBYHPQQnTe5nmBa0v0ZrAI-TEmvj4T66R6oHBvCPNqgxYO8GhuSod-ZURKasKrH5nuAtMgzIXUc26A0mhZcMTup49MMjYV\_liUcksCxBsgXDKakaQPpp4vikcMoI\_YAlIS5z8nIkvhk0g6xirR\_cFwAMPcvEfv4\_ibo6Rpe84kxH6uKHDdyxToNh6L9SuBZkzuB7LnQ-E7OfVcPsFA4qq635wr6FSTQaawSnLC\_ajg70fxWW\_wftLGByC2Fmv\_soxCu109wTuJawYaKHYFNkGXz2lTnE5uISkePEixODVifPR6MuNfveC7PfcVH7M0zStdV8buFdYNGypho5kGzQcKcDMHKM6iAXpzdPFBbIkDg5r6OGXEEBcwFdRr7Zl5JMBpm-Jr1CDcM5aEW8z0ebI=">Unsubscribe From This List</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/open?upn=u001.ri3TO7QGEXgsxcVdo6-2BoAGTuuWiDEfH5lVjP7AVQ-2Bcl7JaDKdeJ1ydQkXpTFAEqRD2SOncm40jgMuVls37ZLseTP-2Bc5kaLjFJf1Q3kw4FZdt1YoCkYWvLa1l-2BT-2F-2F8yIUiLbFHrmn64p2Xwmffzl3edR6Ty8TRKnThBIufHec6MYr94WZQxWVvMWvfNqNZdVSm2JpSP2sJuJ7h3Z8Ne0G7qB3-2FWWAzMdG85DPtU6oI1ltxK7MjsQMyAfIVyvduAEwNlu0X-2FpwjipN0FuEqZU132I8mNTSdm-2FCEAt1A0TIxCYw3hX04SoySWinVV-2BUm0CtjAvi9kYP7CbdOXQEjr91GGF2HBBrQ8ojuGe-2FcwA4PS-2FGVpJnu5lZxa8N3Fi7ut-2BfJiifCCUIxZvSDEE7nazKuON0uNLKBCj-2BWP8JcDJf3uZC8AcmKh8VUhjbw9jg-2FWbMLLL5E33xwwsWKvjHTL-2FJAWBq2oqzR5v6MabGGofQDOU-3D" style="height:1px !important;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;" width="1"/> </div>, The Wired Word for 12/07/2025, The Wired Word, 01kbmtkvjr9fvxna86wtww13xh.