Is gambling wrong?

Answer 1

Even though the Bible does not directly address gambling, we can derive a number of principles from Scripture.

First, gambling breeds a form of covetousness. The Tenth Commandment admonishes us not to covet. Coveting, greed, and selfishness are the base emotions that entice us to gamble. I believe Christians should be concerned about gambling if for no other reason than the effect it has on the weaker brother and how it will affect the compulsive gambler. State-sponsored gambling makes it harder for the compulsive gambler to reform. Legalized gambling becomes an institutionalized form of greed.

Second, gambling destroys the work ethic. Two key biblical passages deal with the work ethic. In Colossians 3:23-24, the Apostle Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” And in 2 Thessalonians 3:7,10, he says, “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. . . . For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

The Twentieth Century Fund research group commented, “Gambling’s get-rich-quick appeal appears to mock capitalism’s core values: disciplined work habits, thrift, prudence, adherence to routine, and the relationship between effort and reward.” These core values of the work ethic are all part of the free enterprise system and are part of the Christian life. Gambling corrupts these values and replaces them with greed and selfishness. Rather than depending upon hard work, gamblers depend instead upon luck and chance.

Third, gambling destroys families. Gambling is a major cause of family neglect. Many of the social costs associated with gambling come from its mindset. As people get caught up in a gambling frenzy, they begin to neglect their families. Money spent on lottery tickets or at horse tracks is frequently not risk capital but is income that should be spent on family needs. In 1 Timothy 5:8, Paul says that a person who refuses to care for his family is worse than an infidel. Parents must provide for their children (2 Corinthians 12:14) and eat the bread of their labors (2 Thessalonians 3:12). When gambling is legalized it tempts people to neglect their God-mandated responsibility to care for their families, and these families often end up on welfare.

Fourth, gambling is a form of state-sponsored greed. We read in Romans 13 that government is to be a minister of God. Government should provide order in society and promote public virtue. Legalized gambling undercuts government’s role and subverts the moral fabric of society through greed and selfishness promoted by a state-sponsored vice.

Gambling is bad social policy; it is bad economic policy; and it is bad governmental policy. Moreover, it undermines the moral foundations of society and invites corruption in government. As Christians, I believe we must stand against society’s attempts to legalize gambling.

Answer 2

Yes gambling is wrong. Why? because of what you are gambling for; MONEY listen
1 Timothy 6:10
10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and peirce themselves through with many sorrows.

We all need money, for it is the way of the world. But it is the LOVE for the money that makes it a sin. You love money so much that you will do anything to have it and more. You begin to love money more than God. So yes Gambling is a sin. I pray for you. Amen

Answer 3

Yes. We are counseled to use what God provides us with great care. Gambling does two things really. One, it can be the catalyst for a poor man to wager all his money on something he can't win in the long run so he goes hungry, or it gives you gain that you had no part in earning. Others earned it and lost it and you are just benefitting from the loss of the poor that cannot afford to lose it in the first place. I do not believe that Jesus would ever gamble if He were here right now, nor would He be very pleased with anyone that did.

Answer 4

Think about this...

Can you are I just put our money together and open a casino?

No. You have to have political connections. Gambling is from it's very inception corrupt. Then the very government that "ordains" the legalized gambling is in charge of policing it to make sure it is not corrupt?

The very fact that the market is not free and open to all makes it a very bad idea for society not to mention the negative moral impications and it's regressive taxation issues.

Answer 5

Yes!

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

Answer 6

Wrong by whose standards? Can any one person decide what is right or wrong for another?

Maybe the real question is, is it hurtful? Sure, it can be. So can anything be in excess.

Is cake wrong? Or does it just make you fat and sick if you eat too much?

Is cold wrong? Stay out too long in it at cold enough conditions and you can freeze to death.

Anything is what it is. It's what you do with it and how you react to it that determines how it affects your life or others around you.

Answer 7

gambling is haram. You can not make money form money. You must make money from your own hand

Answer 8

I think no. Gambling is a good thing. Before starting to gamble it is good for you to learn about the bookmakers' conditions. You can find information about famious bookmakers in Betenemy.

Answer 9

Anything that you OVER do is wrong, including eating, you don't need scripture to figure that out - it's common sense.

Answer 10

No. Unless you blow all your money then rob a bank to get back on your feet.