Casino decision: A biblical view

The statement "all that glitters is not gold" is true in more ways than one. It certainly is true when it comes to the money that our city government is coveting should the voters of Cape Girardeau approve a casino ballot measure Nov. 2.

Hopefully all of our citizens will consider the following legitimate moral and ethical concerns.

1) Gambling encourages the sins of greed and covetousness. We are told in Colossians 3:5 to put to death what is earthly in us: "... evil lust, and greed, which is idol worship."

2) Gambling promotes the mismanagement of possessions entrusted to us by God.

3) Gambling undermines absolute reliance on God for his providential care.

4) Gambling works at cross purposes with a commitment to productive work.

5) Gambling is a potentially addictive behavior.

6) Gambling threatens the welfare of our neighbor and militates against the common good.

"Be very careful, then, as to how you live. Don't be unwise but wise... because the days are evil," Ephesians 5:15-16.

Rev. DAVID V. DISSEN,

Cape Girardeau