Very much right on. That is what Capitalism ought to represent... opportunity for all; hope for the downtrodden, homeless, widow, orphan, and the hungry. Just as Jesus materialized for our sake and for our salvation, and crucified by the wealthy elites. Not for Walmart, AT&T, BofA, Tiger Woods, Dubai, etc...

Jesus opposed materialism. Would Jesus have condoned gambling? Although gambling is not explicitly forbidden in the Bible, it does prey upon the individual’s desire for worldly riches. This desire for immediate wealth and self-aggrandizement is contrary to the spirit of New Testament teaching. Jesus taught the multitudes to seek the eternal treasures in heaven rather than pursue temporary, earthly gain. He insisted upon the self-sacrifice and renunciation of earthly possessions and family ties and duties. (Matthew 6:19-21, 6:24-34, 8:21-22, 10:34-39, 19:20-21,29; Luke 9:57-62, 12:51-53, 14:25-26,33; James 5:1-3)

Jesus had no interest in worldly disputes over money and property. (Luke 12:13-14) He taught that life is meant for more than the accumulation of material goods. He condemned those who lay up treasures for themselves, but are not rich towards God. (Luke 12:15-21) In his parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Jesus expressed concern for materialistic persons (Luke 16:19-31).

Jesus taught that it is difficult for those attached to earthly riches to enter the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-23; Luke 18:18-25) His apostles lead lives of voluntary poverty; sharing their possessions with one another. Those amongst the brethren who did not do so were condemned. (Acts 2:44, 5:1-11) "He who loves his life will lose it," taught Jesus, "and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life...For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:25; John 12:25)

In Paul’s words, "Piety with contentment is great gain indeed; for we brought nothing into the world and, obviously, we can carry nothing out. When we have food and clothing, we shall be content with these. Those who are eager to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into numerous thoughtless and hurtful cravings that plunge people into destruction and ruin. "For the love of money is the root of all evil. In striving for it, some have wandered away from the faith...But you, O man of God, shun these things and go after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." (I Timothy 6:6-11)

Gambling preys upon those who can least afford it—the people of lower income. The National Commission of Gambling estimated in 1983 that there were over a million compulsive gamblers nationwide. The Commission predicted that as gambling gradually becomes legal across the country, this figure will eventually reach three million.

The first treatment center for compulsive gamblers was built outside Baltimore, Maryland, in 1982. Compulsive gamblers often run into enormous financial difficulties—borrowing or even stealing from others, including their own families. Heavy debt becomes a hard fact of life for compulsive gamblers. They sleep poorly, and become indifferent towards eating and affection. Tense and irritable, they often drink, and may even consider suicide.

Since the advent of legalized gambling, per capita crime in the Atlantic City area has tripled. A police check of records at different casinos there wound over one million dollars loaned to 25 underworld figures—some used the money to finance drugs and prostitution.

One survey of police enforcement of gambling laws found that 80 percent of the police believe profits from illegal gambling are used to finance other illegal activities, such as loan-sharking and drug dealing. In half of the cities surveyed, local independent criminal organizations were said to control gambling operations.

Conservative Protestants have traditionally taken a stand against gambling. The Puritans of Massachusetts enacted America’s first law against gambling in 1638. In 1682, the Quakers in Pennsylvania passed their own law against gambling and "such like enticing, vain, and evil sports and games." During the period from 1830 to 1860, lotteries were banned across America. By 1908, nearly every state in the nation had banned horse racing.

Gambling is condemned in the Vaishnava (orthodox Hindu) tradition, both as a form of worldly-mindedness, and as a social evil. Given the teachings of Jesus and his apostles on money, greed, possessions, and material self-aggrandizement, as well as sociological studies documenting the ill effects of legalized gambling, one can only hope all of Christianity will also draw the same conclusions.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
~ Charles Dickens
I would like to follow above quote.
Happy Christmas & Happy New Year
You may Like This Knol
http://knol.google.com/k/christmas#

I know that I will upset some people but the only place one can find Christmas is in a catholic church that has a Mass of Christ.

You cannot find a "Christianized" pagan holiday in the face of any human being.

But, you can see the Spirit of the Christ in the face of Believers who believe and practice what Jesus said and did and they try to do what he did.

I self-identify as "Believer" and I am not insulted if someone up and says, completely off topic with a discussion, "You are a Christian, aren't you?"

Peter wrote to count it an honor to be called by that name. But, he never wrote to call yourself by that name.