“Gambling”

Thursday, July 21, 2016

I would like Bible reading about if gambling is a sin and where to find it in the Bible.

Sincerely,
On A Roll

Dear On A Roll,

The Bible never specifically mentions gambling as a sin, but gambling is wrong for several major reasons.

Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).

Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their money (2 Thess 3:10-12,Pr 10:4).

Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).

Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a Christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).

Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

All of these things deal with what is normally thought of as gambling.  Things like school raffles, cakewalks, penny-ante card games among friends, etc. fall into a grayer area.  So whenever considering these activities, use wisdom in comparing them to the concepts listed above.

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