Christians......?

Question

Is gambling a sin? Bible verse please.

Talking to my hubby, and we were always taught it was a sin, but cant remember where the idea came from, is it biblical?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Gambling isn't a sin. But any addiction is. An addiction becomes your god, a sin against the 2nd commandment.

Answer 2

All I can tell you ( and I thought I did read a verse pertaining to gambling once, but I know I have been taught it is not a sin, but it isnt really good either) Because the love of money is the root of all evil just as the bible says- and many get carried away with gambling and it becomes an addiction.

Answer 3

Gambling can be defined as “risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds.” The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.


What’s wrong with gambling? Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily "evil." People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item. At the same time, the fact that money is wasted on other things does not justify gambling. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the Lord's work - not gambled away.



Gambling in the Bible: While the Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, it does mention games of "luck" or "chance." As an example, casting lots is used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem and who wouldn’t. The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Nowhere in the Bible is gambling or "chance" used for entertainment or presented as an acceptable practice for followers of God.

Answer 4

There is no specific verse that explicitly says "Gambling is a sin," but there are plenty of verses that say that unwise stewardship of money is a sin (for it's the money of the Kingdom of God... not your money).

Some people even think health insurance is a sin because it's a "gamble," but I think that's silly.

There is a verse in the NT that says all things that are not done by faith are sin. Romans 14:23 This was in the context of what the early Christians could and could not eat, and I think the context would be very helpful to gambling.

Pray, consider what God would desire of you, and have faith in your decision.

Answer 5

To excess is. When a person starts wagering money that they did not have to lose, then it is a sin. I have also seen something else. People who smoke then complain about being broke when they are burning up money and the same is true for gamblers. They complain about always being broke ... People also complain about giving money to the Church or to Charity and stuff, meanwhile they spend money in pursuits like this -- it just doesn't make sense.

Answer 6

Soldiers were gambling for the robe of Christ at the crucificion

John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Answer 7

It is probably based on the teaching of being a good steward of resources. When it encroaches on providing for one's family, it is without a doubt sinful. In and of itself, no I don't think so..at least a direct prohibition.

Answer 8

1 Corinthians 6:12
[ Glorify God in Body and Spirit ] All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

I dont think dropping some coins in a slot machine or playing some poker or blackjack is a sin

but many cannot control it, and it takes over their life

then there are stewardship issues, but if you only occasionally gamble for entertainment it probably is not a sin

Romans 14
The Law of Liberty
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:


“ As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

Answer 9

im a Christian and im pretty sure it is.if not,dont.