Does The Bible Have a Position on Gambling?

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

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. These two concepts are often spoken against in the Bible and are classified as sinful behaviors in most instances.

The words are often used by some in religious circles to describe what gambling in fact is and this line of thinking has been used to push gambling under the realm of activities that the Bible speaks against. I have heard a preacher describe gambling as "people agreeing to steal from one another". We must ask whether or not the scriptures disapprove of gambling for sure, but in doing so we must be careful to make sure that we don't make a false accusation that binds something not bound by the scriptures as the Pharissees were accused of doing by Jesus.

 

[andy]

God should be the most important thing in your life,therefore all other things in your daily life should be worked around God (not the other way around). A simple thing to remember is that you should live to prove your faith (whether to prove it to God,yourself,or other people, it doesn't really matter).Does gambling prove your faith in any way? If the answer is "No",then stop doing it.God bless you. Andy

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

Another argument I've heard against gambling is that though it may not be defined as sinful, it APPEARS evil to some and because of that, Christians should abstain from it. Those who hold this view have used texts like 1 Thessalonians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 to illustrate why engaging in gambling activities is a bad idea. In my mind, this is the strongest argument against gambling, but it can also be used against engaging in any activity another believer may take offense to as I have witness brethren chastise other brethren over acts like voting using this same logic.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense." (Proverbs 12:11 NIV)


"9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:9 NIV)

 

[JLB]

Another argument I've heard against gambling is that though it may not be defined as sinful, it APPEARS evil to some and because of that, Christians should abstain from it. Those who hold this view have used texts like 1 Thessalonians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 to illustrate why engaging in gambling activities is a bad idea. In my mind, this is the strongest argument against gambling, but it can also be used against engaging in any activity another believer may take offense to as I have witness brethren chastise other brethren over acts like voting using this same logic.

As in all things, there is a balance.

Are we talking casinos, sports wagering or the stock market or Forex.

Who is the person who is involved?

Do they possess self control?

Do they have a tract record of hearing from God and being led by His Spirit?

What is there motive, and what will they do with the money?


JLB

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

As in all things, there is a balance.

I tend to agree with this idea. Determining motive, which in turns gives the observer the best idea of whether or not the resulting activity is sinful must be done/looked at on a case by case basis. Blanket statements on either side of this issue would seem to be a bit rash.

 

[farouk]

I'm reminded of the Roman soldiers at the Crucifixion casting lots for the Lord's vesture. Not an edifying or appealing activity.

 

[WIP]

I figure I gamble every spring when I invest my money, time, and labor putting my crop seeds in the ground on the hope that they will produce a harvest in the fall. Some years I do okay or even well but other years....not so good.

With the daily odds of dying in a car accident at 1 in 4,000, every day I gamble with my life by driving my car to work and back.

35 years ago I took on a 30-year mortgage payment on a chance that I will have the means to repay the debt every month.

Am I a victim of gambling?

 

[farouk]

I figure I gamble every spring when I invest my money, time, and labor putting my crop seeds in the ground on the hope that they will produce a harvest in the fall. Some years I do okay or even well but other years....not so good. Am I a victim of gambling?

I guess as well that in times of inflation, and the way politicians mess up people's disposable income by high taxation, putting some money in long-dated stock can actually be a safer thing to do. Sometimes it's even riskier to keep money in the bank! It's the bailout-driven politicians that are maybe gambling...

 

[WIP]

I figure I gamble every spring when I invest my money, time, and labor putting my crop seeds in the ground on the hope that they will produce a harvest in the fall. Some years I do okay or even well but other years....not so good. Am I a victim of gambling?

I guess as well that in times of inflation, and the way politicians mess up people's disposable income by high taxation, putting some money in long-dated stock can actually be a safer thing to do. Sometimes it's even riskier to keep money in the bank! It's the bailout-driven politicians that are maybe gambling...

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

 

[farouk]

I figure I gamble every spring when I invest my money, time, and labor putting my crop seeds in the ground on the hope that they will produce a harvest in the fall. Some years I do okay or even well but other years....not so good. Am I a victim of gambling?

I guess as well that in times of inflation, and the way politicians mess up people's disposable income by high taxation, putting some money in long-dated stock can actually be a safer thing to do. Sometimes it's even riskier to keep money in the bank! It's the bailout-driven politicians that are maybe gambling...

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

It's called bribing the electorate with their own money, but putting it where it's less safe.

 

[TRUTH over TRADITION]

In my opinion, gambling comes off as what I call a 'perception based sin' in that its virtue or lack thereof is based not on divine instruction, but rather subjective human/societal perception.

 

[JLB]

Blessed is the man that does not condemn himself in what he approves.

If the Lord showed me a time of plenty coming for seven years, followed by a time of famine and I invested and stored up for the seven and able to feed His people with what I gambled with, then I would be call a good steward.

JLB

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

If one invests in the stock market, they are gambling.
No different than Vegas.
I think gambling as entertanment is okay.
One can spend $50.00 in a restaurant or one can spend $50.00 at the race track.
It's all the same to me.

 

[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.

 

[JLB]

Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.

These are good scriptures, and a person would do well to heed them

Wealth gotten by vanity could be applied to any business or venture.

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.

The Love of money, not money itself.

The love of money is the root of all evil.

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.

Absolutely true.

However I know people that are upright honorable people that would not go into a casino, nor buy a lottery ticket, yet they are a slave to their business.


All these are good and valuable scriptures, however they in and of themselves do not necessarily forbid Gambling.


JLB

 

[Obadiah]

This is a subject I've studied a few times before and never then nor in this thread, have I found any condemnation of gambling in scripture, neither directly nor in principle. All the scripture and arguments I have ever seen used against it always require either the scripture must be taken out of context or there needs to be a judgement made as to other reasons behind the person's decision to gamble that, unless the person themself admits to, we probably are not qualified to make.

Probably the strongest argument against it is the appearance of evil and causing a brother to stumble argument. If I am with a brother or sister Christian that I know believes gambling is sinful, I'm not going to take them to a casino because I know this would be wrong under these scriptures. But that doesn't affect my own decision to gamble or not when I am not with someone who I know feels it's sinful.

Of course, in reality I rarely gamble. But it's only because I don't have the disposable finances anymore to make gambling for fun a wise decision.

 

[Mountain Man]

Gambling is risk taking for some sort of gain,since there are no guarantees of anything in this life we all do it....most things said about wealth are spoken out of envy and the false notion that poverty is a virtue.The man who puts money first is no different than the man who puts sex first or drugs and alcohol first or their own self righteousness first and their destination is the same,we readily condemn the rich man for trusting in his money instead of God but have nothing to say about the "poor" who trust in government instead of God,we fail to recognize the fault of expecting something for nothing and condemn those who at least contribute goods,services and jobs for what they have.The rich man has his weakness as well as the poor man....neither is better than the other....we also seem to forget that wealth is relative,when you condemn someone who by your definition(has more than you) you should also consider your standing with those who have less than you....to them you are "rich"

 

[John 8:32]

If one invests in the stock market, they are gambling.
No different than Vegas.
I think gambling as entertanment is okay.
One can spend $50.00 in a restaurant or one can spend $50.00 at the race track.
It's all the same to me.

The Market is not exactly the same as gambling. Investing in stocks infuses capital that allows the economy to grow. When one invests in stocks, he is actually becoming part owner of a company. If the company does well there is an ROI, if it does poorly, there is a loss.

The real problem I have with gambling per se is that it hurts my conscience. Casting lots is the method that God has used to reveal His will to man in many instances...

Lev 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Jos 18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

And it is not limited to the OT...

Act 1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
Act 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Act 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Casting lots is a God's method of revealing His will and to me, gambling is a corruption of something that has a holy purpose, therefore, I do not gamble, play the lottery, bet in the office pools, etc. Personal decision, personal choice.

 

[JLB]

This is a subject I've studied a few times before and never then nor in this thread, have I found any condemnation of gambling in scripture, neither directly nor in principle. All the scripture and arguments I have ever seen used against it always require either the scripture must be taken out of context or there needs to be a judgement made as to other reasons behind the person's decision to gamble that, unless the person themself admits to, we probably are not qualified to make.

Probably the strongest argument against it is the appearance of evil and causing a brother to stumble argument. If I am with a brother or sister Christian that I know believes gambling is sinful, I'm not going to take them to a casino because I know this would be wrong under these scriptures. But that doesn't affect my own decision to gamble or not when I am not with someone who I know feels it's sinful.

Of course, in reality I rarely gamble. But it's only because I don't have the disposable finances anymore to make gambling for fun a wise decision.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

If a man takes his paycheck and gambles it away and can't provide for his household, he is WORSE than an unbeliever.

If a man takes his savings and gambles it away, so that he can not provide for his own, he is WORSE than an unbeliever.


JLB