THE TRAVAILS OF JAMES GBENGA OLANIYI - EPISODE ONE

Hello everyone, let us take a pause on gambling at the moment. You can ask your questions on gambling and be sure I will answer you.

Let me now tell you a story about THE  TRAVAILS  OF JAMES  GBENGA  OLANIYI

EPISODE ONE

Born to a family of six, I am the second child and first boy of the family. James Gbenga Olaniyi is my name. I was brought into this world on the 6^th of June 1983. According to my mum, my dad was over-joyed having had his first male child who was not a still-birth as there had being 3 still-births by my mum all males before my elder sister, Nike came to be. My life have not been a life of pleasure from the beginning. There have being a lot of ups and downs.

       

I wrote my WAEC examinations in the year 2000, I also had a very high score in UME, 225. But when WAEC results came out, I had a D in English Language which thwarted my hope and ambition of going to the University at an early age. Although people say I was still young, I did not believe because I had dreams of finishing University at the age of 25. But that was not God’s plan for me. I wanted to study Petrochemical Engineering. But, the Almighty had a great plan for me.

       

I wrote UME again in 2001, having cleared my papers by writing WAEC/GCE in 2000, but still no admission. I was just at home. I did all the clean-up, cooking and all other house chores. Whenever there was an error of any kind in the house, I was called for query. I had to answer to it. It was a frustrating experience, but it thought me a lot as regards taking care of home. My dad a very nice man, but very strict, he disliked anything or anyone going against his rules and will not hesitate to punish anyone who goes against his rules. All of us kept his rules and he loved us all except that I had always questioned his love for me ever since my mum gave birth to Isaac, fourth child and second boy, my dad became hostile to me, he started treating me as if am not his son, the case got worse when John and Samuel were given birth to. I began to presume that something was wrong somewhere, but I do not know where or how and why it is so.

GAMBLING - PART TWO

Effects of gambling

Martin Luther once said “Money won by gambling is not won without sin and self-seeking sin”. He is very correct. When you look closely at the life of gamblers, you will discover the following internal attitudes;

·       Materialism

·       Greed

·       Discontent

·       Reliance on chance vs Reliance on God’s providence

·       Laziness vs Hard work

·       Thwarting of charity

·       Seeking to gain from the loss of others

Remember, the nature of a ‘thing’ can be known by the effect it produces. The attributes mentioned above show that gambling results in very poor personal effect. Externally, gambling shows itself to be no better, producing the following effects;

·       Addiction

·       Poverty

·       Crime

·       Dishonesty

·       Family strife and divorce

·       Escape into alcoholism

·       Exploitation of the poor

When both its external and internal effects are considered, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that gambling demonstrates itself to be spiritually bankrupt

God is the same yesterday, today and forever it is foolish to think that He would come to love those that desires money

          Gamblers are never satisfied with money because “Whoever loves money never gets enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling is a way to bypass work. But “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4)

No matter what be the case that will tempt you into gambling or to still continue gambling, remember the Bible constantly reminded us to put our hope in God alone. “For in God alone my soul waits in silence. For my hope is in Him” (Psalm 62:5) and “As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

          Instead of gambling, find a hand work to do. Instead of wasting all those money and think it’s just very little, give it to the poor and God will reward you for charity.

GAMBLING - PART ONE

GAMBLING

          Most Christians believe that gambling is not a sin. But, when you look at it critically then you will realize the truth. Gambling in general is just seen by many as way of making quick money. But what does the bible says about money?

The scripture made it clear that everything belongs to God. Paul asked in 1 Corinthians 4:7 “…What do you have that you did not receive…?” Even though individual work to earn money, the bible says that God is the ultimate source of their income “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the power to get wealth…..”   (Deuteronomy 8:18)

          If the bible already declared that “my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19), why look for ways to get rich quick?

Scripture also makes it clear that money is to be gained through hard work and labour. “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to want (poverty)” (Proverbs 14:23) and “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty” (Proverbs 28:19).

          Jesus said “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), but gamblers only have one goal “Receive, Receive and Receive”

Money itself is not evil, but the pursuit of money is. Apostle Paul said “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and have pierced their hearts with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

          In the parable of the sower, Jesus warned about the desires of money “And as for those who fell among thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are chocked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life and their fruit does not mature” (Luke 8:14)

If you can understand the real truth about money, a positions on gambling is much easier to reach. Today, gambling takes different forms, quick-stop gaming stand (Video poker), lotteries and one that is eating up most Nigerian youths and even grownups; Sports betting.