By Chance

Where are you most likely to find a betting shop?

Probably one every 5km if we were in an area upper class dominated,

But in areas that aren't as wealthy or developed, we tend to find betting shops walking distance from each other,  maybe 3 or more on the same street if we're lucky.

And if we look closer into the art of gambling, 

Its aimed at taking a risky action in order to get a desired result,

Playing games of chance in order to multiply money on something that is against the odds.

And if we look closer to why these companies build shops in specific locations, it is because 

people who have are wealthier are less likely to gamble because there is too much of a chance to risk losing their money, whereas they are more likely to invest it in banks where they are certain they will get an increase of what they started with.

On the other hand, people who aren't as wealthy are aroused by the thought of winning 10 times the amount they put in, multiplying their money in order to reach a certain amount quickly and without toil.

They have the knowledge that money that can be made if they worked hard for it over a certain period of time, but would rather skip the hard work, the toils, trials, tests and jump straight for the money.
The one thing these two types of people have in common is the same desired end result, which is to get rich. The only difference is the means to achieving their desired end result.

Now if we think about it in terms of our Christianity.
There are people that are obedient to the Word and are devoted to doing God's will, they are aware of God's faithfulness and withhold nothing from God in trust that He continues to build them up as a Christian.
However, there are also some people that know they have flaws and are weak in certain areas of their lives, they know only God's guidance is needed to make their sense of direction more clear, but they suppose they're regular attendance at church would be enough for God to let them have a bit of leeway here and there.
They suppose their problems aren't not too much of an issue in comparison to sister Andrene's immoral addiction or brother Dominic's spiteful habits, so maybe God would excuse them for not being as bad.
They suppose tithing only 5% of your wages instead of 10% would be enough, because God knows they're probably still students and would allow them to keep the outstanding 5%.
And at the end of all these adjustments to how faithful these people choose to be, they still expect the same blessings as Pastor David. 

Some people like to gamble with salvation.

Some of us are a bit too complacent with the Word, and decide how much time we want to pray; decide when we want to attend church meetings or services; decide how much offering we put in on church services or even to give at all.
But the thing is, we all have the same desired end result right?
We all want to inherit the kingdom of God, but instead of investing in ourselves and be assured of our inheritance, some of us like to take the risk.

But what some of us tend to forget is God is holding an account for all the things we do on earth which will replicate what we inherit in heaven, as Paul tells us in 
Collosians 3:24-25 NKJV
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Complacency is one of many symptoms of a stagnant spirit.
Many of us are complacent because we are ignorant of what the Word of God is really telling us concerning salvation, concerning inheriting the Kingdom of God.
It causes us to be lukewarm in our acts whereby we'd be so full of the spirit that we could almost taste salvation but then reject the truth or walk away from it when we go through tests and trials.
And the issue with this is God tells us in His Word that those who endure to the end will be saved,
So how could you assume the half way point between being righteous before God and being consumed of the world is going to be enough to save you? 
Where is the middle ground between heaven or hell that is able to be your support when you decide to get tired?
It's complacency which triggers the thought 'God is willing to meet me half way', but in the process of your interlude you have already forsaken Christ.
How? because you have given up on Him when God has assured us there is nothing too hard for Him.

2 Corinthians 2:11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

It was made clear to me that its easier to exploit in areas where people are suffering in poverty, people who have a deficiency of the Word of God, because in these areas there is more suffering and lack of knowledge. Therefore, a deficiency of these things makes it easier for the enemy to take advantage of such people and cause them to perish because they lack overall understanding.

Invest in yourself instead of taking the risk, because it's too much of a chance to gamble on salvation, between a life with Christ or a life without Christ.

Love and Blessings
Melissa-Ann Rose
xox