Definition and Context:
Taking risks involves stepping into uncertain situations with potential for both positive and negative outcomes. In the biblical context, taking risks often involves faith, obedience, and trust in God’s promises and guidance. The Bible presents numerous instances where individuals took risks for the sake of their faith, mission, or calling.

Biblical Examples:

1. Abraham:
Abraham is a quintessential example of taking risks in obedience to God. In Genesis 12:1-4, God calls Abraham to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household to go to a land that God would show him. This required Abraham to trust God’s promise without knowing the destination. Hebrews 11:8 states, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going."

2. Esther:
Esther took a significant risk by approaching King Xerxes without being summoned, which could have resulted in her death. Her courage and willingness to risk her life were motivated by her desire to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation. Esther 4:16 records her resolve: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

3. David:
David’s encounter with Goliath is a classic example of taking a risk based on faith in God. Despite being a young shepherd, David volunteered to fight the giant Goliath, trusting in God’s deliverance. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 highlights David’s faith: "David said to the Philistine, 'You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.'"

4. The Apostles:
The early apostles frequently took risks to spread the Gospel, often facing persecution, imprisonment, and even death. Acts 5:40-42 describes how, after being flogged and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus, the apostles rejoiced for being counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name and continued teaching and proclaiming the good news.

Theological Insights:

· Faith and Trust:
Taking risks in the biblical sense is often intertwined with faith and trust in God. Hebrews 11, known as the "faith chapter," recounts numerous instances where individuals took risks based on their faith in God’s promises.

· Obedience to God’s Call:
Many biblical figures took risks as a response to God’s call or command. Their actions demonstrate that obedience to God sometimes requires stepping into the unknown or facing potential danger.

· Courage and Sacrifice:
Biblical risk-taking often involves courage and a willingness to sacrifice personal safety or comfort for a greater purpose. This is seen in the lives of Esther, Daniel, and the apostles, among others.

· Divine Providence:
The Bible assures believers that God is sovereign and His providence guides those who take risks for His kingdom. Romans 8:28 reminds believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

Practical Application:

· Discernment and Wisdom:
While the Bible encourages faith-driven risk-taking, it also emphasizes the need for discernment and wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

· Prayer and Seeking God’s Will:
Before taking risks, believers are encouraged to seek God’s guidance through prayer and Scripture. James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

· Community and Counsel:
Engaging with a community of believers and seeking godly counsel can provide support and confirmation when considering taking risks. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

Taking risks, when aligned with faith and obedience to God, can lead to significant spiritual growth and the advancement of God’s purposes. The Bible provides numerous examples and principles to guide believers in navigating the uncertainties of life with courage and trust in God.1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 13:5
Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;
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Gambling, Card-Playing
... The young girl who risks fifty cents and gets back fifty dollars will no longer
be of service as a ... Some persons live by taking advantage of those who are down. ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (ii. ).
... SPECIAL RISKS. ... Nothing will do but a very real "heed-taking," beginning always in
secret with God, and then quietly carried out with sanctified common-sense. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter v the daily walk.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... Let us think together of some of the duties, opportunities, risks, and safeguards
of the ordinary day's ... He was always taking trouble, and always saving trouble ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... It has always its own risks to run: the authorities at Jerusalem never forgave Jesus ...
Zeal also runs the risk of acting indiscreetly and taking too much upon it ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... If a man reached the goal first by taking an unlawful advantage, he was not
awarded the prize. In these contests great risks were run. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

The Net Broken
... The spirit of this passage may perhaps be best caught by taking the three ... The womanly
courage that risks life for love's sake is nobler than the soldier's that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the net broken.htm

Preaching (ii. ).
... I pursue the subject of attractive preaching, taking still the word attractive in
its ... matters which has its advantages, but also its very great risks; and it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moule/to my younger brethren/chapter xi preaching ii.htm

Cheating and Dishonest Ways of Making Money are Utterly Unfit for ...
... in taking up money matters, though for the sake of a man's safety great trouble
and toil may often be undertaken. It is glorious in such a case to run risks. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix cheating and dishonest.htm

The Census of Israel
... will come; and when he comes it shall be "in flaming fire taking vengeance on ... They
endured the common risks of soldiers; but nothing could kill them, for God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

A visit to the Base
... to realise that the days were few until that experience known as "taking furlough"
was to ... On we rushed through massive gates, where we ran serious risks of an ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xiv a visit to.htm

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