Getting Rich by Gambling
POY!jit 3f 88
Avoid Trying to Get Rich by Gambling

Based on Proverbs 6:6 & 2Thessalonians 3:10-11

POY! skit guidelines:

·  Participants may simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea and speak in their own words.

·  Most POY! skits require no practice in advance, and need no costumes or props.

·  Let tots play a brief part. Most scripts have children do the “Echoes” part, under PARTICIPANTS.

·  Most skits have someone serve as Narrator, who should read a skit beforehand to see how to keep it moving along.

·  There is no need to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate, as “Echoes”.

·  Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.

·  In large groups, ask folks, especially children, to talk loudly and slowly, and add actions if they want.

PARTICIPANTS

Mr. Learner, who also serves as Narrator

Mr. Wise

Prompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Echoes repeat it.

Echoes (Optional): children and all adults who want to take part. Make sure Echoes know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.

SCRIPT

Learner Mr. Wise, I was waiting to talk to you after worship. Maybe you can help with a problem.

Wise I can try. How are things going since you trusted Jesus as your Savior last month?

Learner I’m happier; I have victory over my vices now. Well, most of them. One vice still bugs me.

Wise Which vice, brother Learner?

Learner Ah… Gambling… Betting. I’ll bet on anything! I can’t resist the temptation.

Wise Hmm. I believe you can, Mr. Learner. Simply trust the Almighty to provide what you need without taking it from another.

Learner Taking it? I don’t rob anyone anymore, Mr. Wise.

Wise Not directly, Mr. Learner. But when you win bets, you make others lose. You gain, another goes without. Your family wins, another family lacks.

Learner Oh! I never thought of that. Hurting others never crossed my mind.

Wise I don’t mean an occasional, playful bet, but compulsive gambling that seeks wealth not by productive labor, but by taking others’ money. What you win by gambling, someone had to earn by honest work ─ and lose. Gambling can be a form of laziness. Proverbs 6:6 says, “Go to the ant, O sluggard. Observe her ways and be wise.”

Learner True, Mr. Wise. I’ve wanted to win enough so that I wouldn’t have to work anymore. Okay, I’m going to be an ant! A very busy ant!

Prompter &
Echoes Busy ant! Busy ant!

Wise 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 says, “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either… Some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all.”

Learner Ouch! That hits me, Mr. Wise.

Wise Gambling can become a dangerous addiction. It has plunged thousands of families into poverty. Many, after losing their family’s life savings, have committed suicide.

Learner I’ve thought about that.

Wise Then now is the time to stop idolizing the goddess of luck. Trust God!

Prompter &
Echoes Trust God!.

Learner Mr. Wise, every week I’ll report my progress to you in avoiding gambling. Oh, praise God for freedom!

Prompter &
Echoes Freedom! Freedom!

Wise Let’s seal this with prayer.

Learner Amen!

DISCUSS
2Thess. 3:10 says if one is not willing to work, he is not to eat (what the church provides). In what way might this principle apply to seeking wealth by gambling?

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