Where in the Bible does it say Gambling is wrong?

Question

People are always saying Gambling is wrong. Is this just "tradition" or is there Bible Scriptures to back up this...

Answer 1

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Answer 2

The Bible does not discuss gambling in detail. Nevertheless, it does provide us with principles that help us determine how God views gambling.

Experience has shown that gambling reflects greed. The Bible strongly condemns greed, warning that ‘no greedy person would have any inheritance in God’s kingdom.’ (Ephesians 5:5) Greed is seen even when gamblers lose. According to one authority, the gambler “tries to win back what he has lost—looking for the ‘big hit.’ If he does win big, he bets bigger, and eventually loses his ‘big hit.’” Yes, greed is certainly a part of gambling.

Gambling is used by some as a means of feeding their pride. One survey conducted with compulsive gamblers showed that 94 percent considered gambling to be an “ego building activity,” and 92 percent said they felt like a “big shot” when they gambled. Yet, God says: “Self-exaltation and pride . . . I have hated.” Thus, Christians are urged to cultivate modesty and humility. Proverbs 8:13; 22:4; Micah 6:8.

Gambling may also induce laziness, since it seems like an easy way to make money without the effort involved in working. But God’s Word clearly incites Christians to diligent, hard work.

Moreover, what they call luck is so important to some gamblers that they become obsessed with it, making it their god. This is similar to the Bible account about men who were “setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck.” Because of their idolatrous action, they were destined “to the sword.”

What if a person is offered a free lottery ticket or free money to use for gambling? In either case, accepting such an offer would still be supporting a gambling operation, an operation out of harmony with godly principles.

No, gambling is not for Christians. As one magazine editor put it, ‘not only is gambling wrong but it is also a poor bet.’

Answer 3

The bible never states point blank that gambling (casting lots) is a sin or wrong.

BUT, the few times that it is mentioned, casting lots is always being done by non believers.

This is what most pastors and teachers use to point out that casting lots must not be a believers activity.

The most famous biblically noted story about gambling is when Jesus Christ is up on the cross, and the Roman soldiers are seen in the forground casting lots (gambling) for the few items of clothing that Jesus had worn, not to many people know that Jesus was naked as a jaybird up there on that cross.

Answer 4

B. The divinely established means of "getting ahead" is by work.

Gen 2:15; 3:19
Exo 20:9
2 Thes 3:10, 11
Eph 4:28
Prov 6:6; 12:11; 20:4

II. The greed (covetousness) that motivates individuals to gamble is sin.

Ex 20:17
Prov 11:28; 15:16; 23:4-5
Gal 5:21
Eph 5:3-5
Phil 4:11-13
Col 3:5
1 Tim 6:6-11, 17-19

III. Gambling is destructive.

A. Spiritually. It affects our walk with God.

1. It indicates a lack of trust in God's ability to provide.

Mat 6:25-34
Luke 12:15
Heb 13:5
1 Tim 6:6-9

2. True riches are spiritual and eternal.

Phil 4:19 "riches in glory in Christ"
Jas 2:5 "rich in faith"
1 Tim 6:18 "rich in good deeds"
Eph 2:4 "rich in mercy"

3. We should look to God as our Source of supply:

Phil 4:19
Eph 3:20

4. Gambling expressly denies God's sovereignty and care.

Mat 10:30
Prov 3:5-6)

5. A form of covetousness, gambling violates the tenth commandment.

Exo 20:17

6. Christians are called to a walk of holiness (separation from the world).

Eph 5:3
1 Thes 5:22

7. Gambling destroys contentment.

I Tim. 6:6, 10
Col. 3:2
Jn 6:27
Matt. 16:26

B. Societally. Gambling destroys families and communities.

1. Gambling robs money from the family, for which parents have a responsibility to provide.

2 Cor 12:14
2 Thes 3:12
1 Tim 5:9
Prov 15:27

2. Gambling distorts our love for our neighbor, exploiting the most vulnerable members of society: the poor.

Phil 2:3-4
Zech 7:9-10

3. Gambling is a bad example to others.

1 Corin 10:31-33

4. Gambling encourages stealing, which increases court costs; stresses out marital relationships by burdening finances ("He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house..." Prov 15:27); and forces reliance upon public assistance, bankruptcy, etc.

C. Personally. Gambling is self-destructive.

1. Gambling destroys our work ethic.

Gen 2:15; 3:19
Exo 20:9
2 Thes 3:10, 11
Eph 4:28
Prov 6:6; 12:11; 20:4

2. Gambling is rooted in greed, the love and craving for money, which is "the root of all evil."

Mat 6:31
1 Tim 6:10

3. Gambling is addicting. God wants us to be free!

Rom 8:21
2 Corin 3:17
Gal 5:1, 13
1 Pet 2:16
2 Pet 2:19

Answer 5

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MANY gamblers develop a belief in lucky numbers or lucky charms. They might not think that they take their superstitious beliefs very seriously, but they may persist with them nonetheless.

Some gamblers even offer prayers to God, asking that he help them win their chosen game. Yet, the Bible contains God's condemnation of those who claim to worship him but who are "setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck." (Isaiah 65:11) Yes, God detests practices that promote a superstitious belief in luck. Gambling, by its very nature, encourages a blind trust in the so-called Lady Luck.

Gambling also unashamedly promotes a love of money. In today's increasingly secular society, money itself has become a surrogate god, and gambling a popular way of worshiping it. The new cathedrals are the grandiose casinos, and the new creed is that greed is good. Researchers have found that the vast majority of people who visit casinos say they do so, not for the entertainment or for the atmosphere, but to win "a really large amount of money." However, the Bible warns: "The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains."—1 Timothy 6:10.

At 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, the Bible plainly states: "Do not be misled. Neither . . . idolaters . . . nor greedy persons . . . will inherit God's kingdom." Greed is not just a debilitating social sickness; it is a lethal spiritual sickness—but a sickness for which there is a cure.

Answer 6

I have never seen it but I do know that we are supposed to pay our tithes and if you are not doing that and then gambling the money that God has given you that is a sin or not just gambling it but anything that you are spending your money on that keeps you from paying your tithes. It is also a sin to do too much of anything eating, drinking, gambling. I think people just say that because it is an addictive behavior but I think as long as it is done in moderation it is okay.

Answer 7

Greed is wrong, laziness is wrong. Gambling is often a combinaiton of both of these. (Actually, in Proverbs, greed and laziness are shown to go hand in hand).
We have seen the evils caused by gambling, and it is obvious it is not good. We don't look for list of laws or rules in the Bible in order to live a Christian life (well, some Christians do, but we call them legalistic - like the pharisees in Jesus' day: they used what the Bible said and didn't say to find excuses to do exactly what they wanted to do).

Answer 8

While gambling is not decalred outright in so many words pertaining to the Bible, the Bible has many scriptures on being wise with money. Read Luke 19:11-27 which is the parable of the nobleman who entrusted his wealth with his servants. Note what happened to those who spent wisely and those who didn't. "A lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (Proverbs 16:33) I can suggest pretty boldly that gambling is a poor investment strategy.

Becoming in bondage or enslaved to anything is not what God wants for us. "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" (Luke 9:25) Another scripture says, "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase." (Proverbs 13:11) So do you have a reign on gambling or does it have a reign on you? "Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?" (Proverbs 22:26-27)

Answer 9

Gambling is not declared outright to be wrong in the Bible.
However, with Jesus teaching about money so frequently, and stewardship, then it becomes clear that Jesus would have looked down upon gambling, and therefore gamblers. Avoiding behaviors that are addictive is always a good thing.

"The 'love of money' is the root of all evil."

Answer 10

It isn't specifically addressed in the Bible as gambling...but it is greed. Trying to get a lot of money without doing anything for it goes against the principles that Jesus taught.

Answer 11

It doesnt specifically, but it does teach to be responsible and a good steward of money and gambling is a very poor use of money.