As far as I can tell GAMBLING is not directly forbidden in the Bible, but there are biblical principles which tell us that GAMBLING is a sin. Right now before we go any farther, stop and pray! Ask the Father in the name of Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us into all truth just as the Bible promises!
Let’s look at what God commanded in the beginning:
*Genesis 3:19 says In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
*Proverbs 14:23 says In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Here we see even after the fall of mankind, it was and is God’s plan for mankind to work. We want to come back to God through the Lord Jesus Christ so we can be blessed and not cursed. The reason why most people GAMBLE is for the purpose of never ever having to work again! Yet in reality God owns EVERYTHING and He desires for us to become good stewards over His possession always increasing. Yet GAMBLING leads to more and more poverty!
Let’s begin at the beginning dealing with the subject of money and material things:
*Genesis 1:1 says In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
We learn here as the Bible opens that God owns everything because He created everything
*Psalms 24:1 says A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
*Psalms 50:10-12 says For every beast of the forest IS MINE, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field ARE MINE. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world IS MINE, and the fulness thereof.
*1 Corinthians 10:26 says For the earth IS THE LORD’S, and the fulness thereof.
*1 Corinthians 4:1-2 says Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and STEWARDS of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in STEWARDS, that a man be found faithful.
God has clear instructions for stewards.
*1 Peter 4:10 says As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as GOOD STEWARDS of the manifold grace of God.
The Greek term “STEWARD” here includes a form of the word, house. It describes a household manager in the ancient Greek world who handled the finances for the owner. Managers are accountable to owners for how they use their finances or material possessions.
Some might want to argue that the previous verses are only dealing with the things of the spiritual. But notice “a man be found faithful” – each person is to be found faithful in the mysteries of God and the grace of God. Part of the mystery of God with His manifold grace is the reality that the Lord desires to be a part of our lives spirit – soul – body! So that includes our finances too. But let’s look deeper at what the Lord Jesus Himself taught, key in on the word FAITHFUL:
*Luke 16:1 says And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that HE HAD WASTED HIS GOODS.
*Luke 16:10-13 says He that is FAITHFUL in that which is least is FAITHFUL also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been FAITHFUL in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been FAITHFUL in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? 13 No servant 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
GAMBLING definitions: to lose by betting; to waste; to squander; 2. to bet; to wager. (Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary Unabridged)
Let’s look at another dictionary:
- play games of chance for money, esp. for high stakes, 2. bet (sum of money). 3. take great risks in the hope of substantial gain.” (Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus)
Sometimes people try to justify GAMBLING, saying, “Everyone does it!” They refer to activities such as investing in stocks, and farmers hedging investments with futures contracts, to prove that everyone GAMBLES in one form or another. Misunderstanding occurs when we don’t differentiate between risk and gambling. It’s true, there’s risk in everything we do, but that doesn’t mean we’re gambling. In our English language, there is a word for risk and another one for gamble for a reason. We take a risk every time we get on the freeway, when we invest our money into certain things. But gambling involves more than just risk. GAMBLING is defined as “waste” and “squander.” The last word is the very word used in the verse we covered above –Luke 16:1 for the bad manager. Playing slot machines at casinos is not a normal level of risk, nor is playing blackjack, the roulette wheel, craps, or poker. Betting at the dog races or horse races is GAMBLING!
If you take the time to study you will find there are actually about 2,350 verses on finances and possessions in the Bible. That is more verses – more material – than all 13 letters in the New Testament that the Apostle Paul wrote! So we must come to the conclusion that God obviously cares about our view of those things He has made us stewards over!
The Lord Jesus taught us so sincerely, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). He is saying that what we do with HIS money and HIS possessions as HIS stewards reveals our real priorities. It’s that simple. So what we are studying in this Bible Study is not CARNAL – non-spiritual. In all reality God is talking to us about a spiritual thermometer – a way to measure what is really going on in our heart with God.
Handling a little leads to handling more and more and more! Look at what our Lord Jesus Christ taught about what would happen when all is said and done:
*Matthew 25:21 &23 says His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY THINGS: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Stewards Think and Act Unlike Owners
Stewards are always putting God 1st! They ask themselves: what does God want me to do with this that HE has placed into my hand? That’s the real question, because it’s really God’s as we have covered earlier! Our budget is the Lord’s budget. How does the Lord want me to use what He has given me? This car? It’s HIS car! This house? It’s HIS house! Extra money? It’s HIS money! How should I use it? Should I buy this or that? The size of the purchase isn’t the subject – what is the priority? All belong to the Lord God and I must be led by HIS Holy Spirit to decide how He wants me to use it.
*Deuteronomy 8:11-18 says Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15 Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
*1 Timothy 6:6-11 says But GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 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. 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. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Note “will be rich“= mindset ALWAYS to have more than “food and raiment.” From the Greek, “wish to be rich”; not merely are willing, but are resolved, and earnestly desire to have riches at any cost:
*Proverbs 28:20 & 22 says A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that POVERTY SHALL COME UPON HIM.
This wishing (not the riches themselves) is fatal to “contentment” (reread this verse above: 1Timothy 6:6). Rich men are not told to cast away their riches, but not to “trust” in them, and to “willing to communicate – do good” with them:
*1Timothy 6:17-19 says Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
*Psalms 62:1-12 says 10 Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. 11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; THAT POWER BELONGETH UNTO GOD. 12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Remember earlier we covered “FOR IT IS HE THAT GIVETH THEE POWER TO GET WEALTH”? Let’s put God first in everything we do and He will take of us, He wants to give us the desires of our hearts if if if if we are placing Him first in our then HE can and will!
Of all the vicious habits in the world, GAMBLING would seem to be nonthreatening. It doesn’t eat away at your liver like alcohol and drug abuse. Even after a run of bad luck, you can ALWAYS win it back right? No harm done right? After all it’s only money.
“All bad habits start slow and gradually; before you know you have the habit, the habit has you.”
*1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 says Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
First of all think about the fruit of gambling: little children and families having to do without because one of the parents or both have GAMBLED away the rent money, grocery money, medicine money, clothes money and on and on!
Note “ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL” – Gambling involves a number of different sins. In this article, we’ve reviewed a few of those sins: covetousness, greed, love of money, unneighborly behavior, lust, and licentiousness. God commands us to abstain from every form of evil. Since gambling is a form of evil, we must abstain from it. IF WE DON’T, WE SIN.
Recent studies show that lotteries are the favorite legal gambling game for teenagers. Statistically, 1 of 7 who gamble will become addicted. But teenagers aren’t the only ones affected. 1 out of 10 adults who gamble will become addicted too. In fact, gambling is the fastest growing addiction in America. Like alcoholism and drug addiction, compulsive gambling is costly to the economy. As we just covered families are the ones who hurt the most. Many people feel gambling is only a game that is fun, but the Bible tells us this evil is a terrible sin that will lead to poverty.
In closing please consider the following remembering what the Lord Jesus Christ taught us about “FRUIT”:
Gamblers Lives Are Worse Even After Winning! Take a little bit of time and search online and you’ll find various stories of gamblers yes who even won and now their lives are worse after winning! Then search online some more about those winning the lottery and you will read stories of bankruptcies, you’ll find that about 1/3 of them file for bankruptcy. Here are some true stories I have copied and pasted from the internet:
“8 Lottery Winners Who Lost Their Millions,” a MSN Money story, reveals some of gambling’s bad fruit. The description recaps the story, “Having piles of cash only compounds problems for some people. Here are sad tales of foolishness, hit men, greedy relatives and dreams dashed.”
As advertised, the story tells about people whose lives are worse after winning the lottery, rather than better. William “Bud” Post, who won $16.2 million and now, lives on Social Security, said, “I wish it never happened. It was totally a nightmare.” Among others, the MSN story also tells of an unnamed family that won $4.2 million. The man and woman are now divorced; the woman lives in a small house, and the man lives with children. Their financial advisor said, “It was not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” The fruit of gambling mirror what we’ve learned from the Bible: GAMBLING IS A SIN.
But it does not stop there, it goes deeper and deeper! Gambling affects our Health and causes a higher suicide rate among people who gamble than those who don’t! A number of studies link suicide to gambling.
CTV.ca, a Canadian media company, ran a story February 12, 2008, titled “Lotto-Quebec Stats Show Suicides Linked To Gambling.” Lotto-Quebec admitted that two suicides were “directly related to gambling in a casino and six attempted suicides and numerous heart attacks as well” (CTV.ca).
Information about the negative effects of gambling is not new. The New York Times ran a story December 16, 1997, titled, “Suicide Rate Higher in 3 Gambling Cities, Study Says.” It tells about a study by Dr. David Phillips who “examined death certificates in major gaming cities in the United States — Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Nev., and Reno — and found that suicide rates were up to 4 times higher than in comparably sized cities where gambling is not legal.”
Now in and from the Word of God – the Bible we know gambling is a sin! The stories are never-ending about people who ruined their lives by gambling, resulting in suicide, divorce, broken homes, poverty, bad health, and more. Although we must have compassion for such people, we must also come to the conclusion and understand the sinfulness of gambling, realizing it bears bad fruit.
*Matthew 7:20 says Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
We know gambling is a sin, not only because it involves numerous sinful behaviors, but also because of its fruit. Let’s close with these verses:
*1 Corinthians 10:31-33 says Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
GAMBLING stems from covetousness, remember what the Word says about covetousness?
*Colossians 3:5 says Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
*Luke 12:15 says And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
*1 Corinthian 6:9-10 says Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, NOR COVETOUS, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.