Dad doesn’t like my man buying stocks

Dear Pastor,

I am a 33-year-old woman and I'm having a difficult time deciding what I should do with my life. I have had a man in my life for three years. I spent most of my time studying.

I have a bachelor's and a master's degree. I want to get married. My man has cooperated with me and is waiting for me to tell him when I am ready to get married.

I have never cheated on him, but he cheated on me and told me about it. It happened after I had told him that I couldn't marry him because he is a gambler. He's always buying stocks.

I grew up in a home where my father was against that. He told his children (he had two girls) that investing in the stock market is gambling and we should never marry men who are gamblers.

I've always shied away from buying stocks, but it is my boyfriend who has got me into it. He told me that he respects my father, but my father is wrong. My father knows that my boyfriend is always investing in stocks and he told me one day that my boyfriend should go and get himself a job instead of risking his money. I want to know how you feel about that.

Does the Bible say anything about gambling or investing in the stock market? Please do not ignore this letter. I really would like to have answers. Thank you very much, Pastor.

Many guys have knocked on my door, but I have refused to let them in. This guy and I love each other, and right now he is building a house for the both of us.

P.K.

Dear P.K.,

Many people over the years have asked me if I can point out to them a verse or any portion of scripture that supports or is against gambling; and my answer over the years has been no.

I don't know any portion of scripture that directly speaks against gambling. I know that many preachers have applied certain verses to argue that is it wrong, or a sin, to gamble.

But I cannot find anything in the Bible that directly addresses the topic. For example, some folks have used verses that speak of covetousness to support their arguments against gambling.

Some argue that buying stocks is a form of gambling because it involves luck; and the man who buys a ticket in the lottery is hoping that he would be lucky enough to win big.

In the stock market, the market may go up or down, causing him to gain big on his money, or lose money sometimes.

So whether he puts his money in stocks or bonds, he/she, according to some folks, is involved in gambling.

I know that you love your father, but I do not see why at your age you cannot think for yourself and marry the man you love. The stock market goes up and down so it carries some risk, but it is surely different from the man who spends his time every day gambling away his money and hoping to hit it big one day.

I recommend to you that the stock market is a good place to invest money.

Pastor