Does The Bible Have a Position on Gambling?

[Deborah13]

If God walked into a betting shop,race track,or dog track,would He be able to pick you out as different from everybody else there?

Would He be able to pick me out sitting in a restaurant eating dinner? Jesus knows His sheep.
Would He know me at a horse racing track? Jesus knows His sheep.
Would I be behaving different than everyone else? No, there are others who love watching and picking the horses even without betting.
Could I be lead away into betting? No, I don't like to bet.

Also,pastimes,in themselves are not sins,but can often be used by Satan to lead us away from God.

I agree that sometimes pastimes lead people away from Jesus. If one is an alcoholic it is not wise to hang out in bars.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Hi to all.
I can't resist to quote what I have found about the gambling-topic from Mr. Billy Graham. Here it is:

Mr. Graham has said: "Gambling is nowhere approved in the Bible. Instead, the Bible stresses that the Christian should earn his living by honest work and effort, and this would exclude relying on chance (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). The Bible tells us to 'abstain from all appearance of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Gambling has often done untold evil to people by making them lose money that could be used for good purposes or even the necessities of life. Money is given to us by God to be used for good, not evil. Anyone seeking to do God's will should not be involved in gambling."

He goes on to say, "Gambling is also wrong because of the motives involved. Some people gamble for thrills and excitement. Others gamble because they have a greedy and covetous attitude about money. Some gamble out of a false belief in luck. All of these motives are wrong for the Christian, for they are all self-centered and materialistic." Passages in the Bible which warn against greed and covetousness are Exodus 20:15, 17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and Colossians 3:5.


As I myself appreciate Mr. Graham's books very much, and as I know that he is well appreciated from many Christians, I just had to share this with you.

Love, Rose

Hi Rose, I disagree with Billy Graham on this issue.
In todays' world, where do we stop with deciding what is evil and what is not?

You may say that you go to a Spirit filled church.
I could say that they teach tithing which is false doctrine which makes them false teachers which makes them anti-christs.
Where do we stop?

Romans 14 addresses these issues and it's really a matter of personal conviction.
If you think drinking wine is a sin and you saw me drinking wine, then you would judge me, right?
Gambling as entertainment is an issue that one needs to keep to himself.
If he/she can give praise to God while they enjoy the activity, then how can we say it is wrong?

I hope I'm expressing myself okay, I sometimes say things the wrong way.

 

[Grappler]

First of all I am curious as to why you would care as to what scripture says about anything since you are not a Christian?

I have this unexplainable affinity for reading and knowing the scriptures. Doing so is sort of in my DNA, it's one of the things I enjoy most.

Sounds kind of sad in a way but in another way maybe it is a good thing.

 

[Grappler]

Hi to all.
I can't resist to quote what I have found about the gambling-topic from Mr. Billy Graham. Here it is:

Mr. Graham has said: "Gambling is nowhere approved in the Bible. Instead, the Bible stresses that the Christian should earn his living by honest work and effort, and this would exclude relying on chance (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). The Bible tells us to 'abstain from all appearance of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Gambling has often done untold evil to people by making them lose money that could be used for good purposes or even the necessities of life. Money is given to us by God to be used for good, not evil. Anyone seeking to do God's will should not be involved in gambling."

He goes on to say, "Gambling is also wrong because of the motives involved. Some people gamble for thrills and excitement. Others gamble because they have a greedy and covetous attitude about money. Some gamble out of a false belief in luck. All of these motives are wrong for the Christian, for they are all self-centered and materialistic." Passages in the Bible which warn against greed and covetousness are Exodus 20:15, 17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and Colossians 3:5.


As I myself appreciate Mr. Graham's books very much, and as I know that he is well appreciated from many Christians, I just had to share this with you.

Love, Rose

I wonder if Billy has a 401k? or is invested in the stock market? or has insurance?

 

[reba]

Silly is ok some times joking around is sometimes ok too just don't take it to rude...

I don't always agree with B Graham , he has taken the very simple gospel message to millions....

Jas_5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

[Maedchen]

Hi to all.
I can't resist to quote what I have found about the gambling-topic from Mr. Billy Graham. Here it is:

Mr. Graham has said: "Gambling is nowhere approved in the Bible. Instead, the Bible stresses that the Christian should earn his living by honest work and effort, and this would exclude relying on chance (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). The Bible tells us to 'abstain from all appearance of evil' (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Gambling has often done untold evil to people by making them lose money that could be used for good purposes or even the necessities of life. Money is given to us by God to be used for good, not evil. Anyone seeking to do God's will should not be involved in gambling."

He goes on to say, "Gambling is also wrong because of the motives involved. Some people gamble for thrills and excitement. Others gamble because they have a greedy and covetous attitude about money. Some gamble out of a false belief in luck. All of these motives are wrong for the Christian, for they are all self-centered and materialistic." Passages in the Bible which warn against greed and covetousness are Exodus 20:15, 17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and Colossians 3:5.


As I myself appreciate Mr. Graham's books very much, and as I know that he is well appreciated from many Christians, I just had to share this with you.

Love, Rose

Hi Rose, I disagree with Billy Graham on this issue.
In todays' world, where do we stop with deciding what is evil and what is not?

You may say that you go to a Spirit filled church.
I could say that they teach tithing which is false doctrine which makes them false teachers which makes them anti-christs.
Where do we stop?

Romans 14 addresses these issues and it's really a matter of personal conviction.
If you think drinking wine is a sin and you saw me drinking wine, then you would judge me, right?
Gambling as entertainment is an issue that one needs to keep to himself.
If he/she can give praise to God while they enjoy the activity, then how can we say it is wrong?

I hope I'm expressing myself okay, I sometimes say things the wrong way.

Hi, dear allenwynne,

how could I judge you when you have such a cute avatar-baby cat, and as signature a picture of a man who asks God for forgiveness? Do you really think that I am that arrogant? Hmmm??? :chokedup

No, I don't judge anyone. By the way, Jesus drank wine and even produced more of it.
Well, "where do we decide what is evil and what is not" in our days? The only thing I could answer is, that if we truly love Jesus we will do everything to make him feel loved. So if, out of love, I have the feeling that he would disagree with something I do, I would stop it.
I think you all are right, everyone must decide if his intentions are in harmony with God's Word or not.
I just have the feeling that our days have become too permissive, so that they are as foretold in 2.Tim.3:1-5, 13.

And regarding your statement that you "sometimes say things the wrong way" - that is very humble, and I thank you for being so kind.

- @ Grappler, hi , could you please tell me what 401k is?
If you mean that he is wealthy, well that doesn't change his reasoning, does it?
I must say that I really adore Mr. Graham's firm standpoint, because according to a saying, " the man who stands for nothing, will fall for everything". (I hope I translated this correctly and you understand what I mean?)

Love, Rose (especially good night to you, Deborah )

 

[farouk]

@Rose : Hi there; I think discussion on these forums is all part of the essence; it's what they're all about, really.

To me, the Billy Graham quote made sense. I don't always agree with what he says, mind.

Blessings.

 

[Maedchen]

[MENTION=96634]Rose[/MENTION]: Hi there; I think discussion on these forums is all part of the essense; it's what they're all about, really.

To me, the Billy Graham quote made sense. I don't always agree with what he says, mind.

Blessings.

Oh, hi my dear friend farouk. Forgive me for not wishing you good night. I hereby do that, d'accord?
I hope that Jesus is not sad with me today. And neither with you or all the others. Let's sleep and trust that He will wake us up tomorrow, so that we can try again to follow him by heart.

Good night to all. Love, Rose

 

[Obadiah]

So if, out of love, I have the feeling that he would disagree with something I do, I would stop it.

And this can also be the leading of His Holy Spirit for a reason other than that the thing you want to do is sinful. I completely disagree that the scriptures here condemn gambling when it is not being abused, but you are convicted not to gamble. This may very well be the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life for some purpose that you don't know about yet or maybe never will know about. Just for example, it could be that money you thought was disposable for entertainment will be needed for something else God wants you to do. Or it could be that someone around you will stumble in their faith if they see you gambling, so the Spirit is leading you away from that to protect that other person. You may never even know who it is. In fact, the guy that lead me to the Lord did it with one sentence and wasn't even trying, and never even knew he had lead me to the Lord. God never promised to always let us know why He leads us the ways He does.

 

[Maedchen]

So if, out of love, I have the feeling that he would disagree with something I do, I would stop it.

And this can also be the leading of His Holy Spirit for a reason other than that the thing you want to do is sinful. I completely disagree that the scriptures here condemn gambling when it is not being abused, but you are convicted not to gamble. This may very well be the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life for some purpose that you don't know about yet or maybe never will know about. Just for example, it could be that money you thought was disposable for entertainment will be needed for something else God wants you to do. Or it couvld be that someone around you will stumble in their faith if they see you gambling, so the Spirit is leading you away from that to protect that other person. You may never even know who it is. In fact, the guy that lead me to the Lord did it with one sentence and wasn't even trying, and never even knew he had lead me to the Lord. God never promised to always let us know why He leads us the ways He does.

Good morning, Obadiah,

that is such a good explanation of the Holy Spirit guiding us. I agree absolutely with it, and maybe it is better for our peace of mind that we do not know all the reasons of why we are led to do or not to do something.

By the way, is your parrot out of the 'Tiki Room' from Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom? Looks like it.
I have two cockatiels and two parakeets at home. They are the little siblings of your parrot.

Love, Rose

 

[Maedchen]

I do not reccommend gambling. Anyone who reads this please just trust me. Its not worth it. I know. I was destoryed. I still owe over $5000 in gambling debt from the past im trying to pay back. Dont start. Its a trap.

I am trapped in guilt. I was loaned money in good faith from a family member and gambled it all. Dont be a fool like me.

Hi kiwidan,

thank you for sharing this warning with us.
I am very sorry for you being in this situation. But you know what? I think the mere fact that you admit to yourself that it was a mistake to gamble away the money, shows that you are willing to try better now.

And our loving Lord sees your sad heart. Tell Him how much you are sorry for it, He will certainly heal your soul and help you to do better! Trust in our Lord.

"The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Love, Rose

 

[Obadiah]

By the way, is your parrot out of the 'Tiki Room' from Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom? Looks like it. I have two cockatiels and two parakeets at home. They are the little siblings of your parrot.

LOL. Could be. I just downloaded it off the internet because it reminded me of one I gave to a girlfriend once! I don't have any birds now because I'm on the road a lot for work and can't care for them, but grew up with a parrot and have a friend who has several parrots and a cockatiel that I visit. For some reason birds seem attracted to me, so I've always liked them. (Yes, yes. Bird brained. I know.)

 

[Obadiah]

I do not reccommend gambling. Anyone who reads this please just trust me. Its not worth it. I know. I was destoryed. I still owe over $5000 in gambling debt from the past im trying to pay back. Dont start. Its a trap.

I am trapped in guilt. I was loaned money in good faith from a family member and gambled it all. Dont be a fool like me.

But you are doing the right thing. You recognized you were abusing it, changed what you were doing, and now you are working to make it right with those you owe money to. God doesn't ask any more than this from you and you have nothing more to feel guilty about now. I'll bet the experience was a good lesson in recognizing other areas of your life where you may have similar tendencies toward abuse and will help you to avoid problems there too. Congratulations on your progress!

 

[MarkT]

I look at it like drinking and smoking; if you do it to excess, it can be destructive. For that reason I would not recommend it. Especially if you love money. But I have no reason to judge anyone or call it a sin and I would not judge myself. No need to knock yourself down; it's only money. If you lose, consider it a learning experience. And the people who are judging you are the greedy ones. Is the point of life to accumulate money? Are they going to show God how much money they saved and did not gamble? Self righteous hypocrites. We are all sinners.

Most people I know who gamble are not trying to get rich. They may be lonely or they just want to get out of the house. Bottom line is examine yourself. There is no sin in Christ. If you are in Christ, you are free of the law of sin and death. If the flesh is weak, we have someone who is greater than the flesh who will intercede for us. I do not approve it but neither do I call it sin.

However, if what you do causes someone else grief and anger, then I would call it sin. In that case, don't do it. It is foolishness. If it is a cause and if it causes grief and anger in others. But that applies to anything you do; if what you do causes grief and anger in others, then don't do it.

If it is a sin to you, then keep yourselves from sin.

 

[providence]

Sometimes it's even riskier to keep money in the bank!

Laxing on 50ft boats in the bahamas with beautiful woman and millions of dollars rolling casinos.

And, with money that is not theirs to gamble with, right?

So we prudently acquire wealth by honest trade (never gambling) and accumulate it into a big safe bank account in order to live the good life in retirement, and then God says, "Fool! This night your soul is required of you..." (Luke 12:13-34).

Covetousness is defined as an envious eagerness to possess something that belongs to someone else and Greed is defined as a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed.

Some translations (KJV, ESV) render Luke 12:15 with the word "covetousness," while others use "greed." How can someone covet what he owns? or does he really own it? Malachi 3:8-12.

I have this unexplainable affinity for reading and knowing the scriptures. Doing so is sort of in my DNA, it's one of the things I enjoy most.

Mark 12:34

 

[iLOVE]

• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
  Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.
  Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
  Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
  Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
  1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Legalism - The pressure of personal preferences that we impose upon others as moral mandates from God. 1Corinthians 6:12 KJV - All things are Lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are Lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Christianity is not a religion which consist of rules, etc.. Grace does give a license to sin, but rather liberty to live a Holy Life. Let nothing as I mentioned above master you. It is ok to gamble.

 

[Messenger]

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

TGBTG!

 

[John 8:32]

• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
  Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.
  Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
  Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
  Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
  1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Legalism - The pressure of personal preferences that we impose upon others as moral mandates from God. 1Corinthians 6:12 KJV - All things are Lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are Lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Christianity is not a religion which consist of rules, etc.. Grace does give a license to sin, but rather liberty to live a Holy Life. Let nothing as I mentioned above master you. It is ok to gamble.

You have no problems with child molestation? After all, there is a rule against it and you seem to be against rules. How about murder or lying? Is that legalism to say that God calls it a sin and will put to death those who do not repent of it?

 

[Obadiah]

• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
  Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.
  Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
  Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
  Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
  1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Legalism - The pressure of personal preferences that we impose upon others as moral mandates from God. 1Corinthians 6:12 KJV - All things are Lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are Lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Christianity is not a religion which consist of rules, etc.. Grace does give a license to sin, but rather liberty to live a Holy Life. Let nothing as I mentioned above master you. It is ok to gamble.

You have no problems with child molestation? After all, there is a rule against it and you seem to be against rules. How about murder or lying? Is that legalism to say that God calls it a sin and will put to death those who do not repent of it?

Most concepts fall apart when taken to the extreme that you are doing with ILove's statement and Paul's statement to the Corinthian church. Child molestation (as legally defined) is against the law (criminal law) and so is murder. Certainly murder and lying are clearly spelled out as sins in God's word as is child molestation in concept even though the word is not mentioned. Besides, who asked if these things were ok? I only recall the question being about gambling. No where in God's word is gambling called a sin. Only the abuse of it is condemned (over doing it, doing it for the wrong reasons, etc.). That's a big difference, and that's the second place where your statement falls apart and descends into legalism.

 

[iLOVE]

• Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
  Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.
  Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
  Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
  Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
  1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Legalism - The pressure of personal preferences that we impose upon others as moral mandates from God. 1Corinthians 6:12 KJV - All things are Lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are Lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Christianity is not a religion which consist of rules, etc.. Grace does give a license to sin, but rather liberty to live a Holy Life. Let nothing as I mentioned above master you. It is ok to gamble.

Sorry for the typo. I meant to say grace doesn't give a Christian a license to sin.