Both are forms of gambling, so I have my own thoughts, but would like to hear what other "Chrisitians" think. Thanks.
2007-02-22 05:49:43 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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.
Casinos and lotteries: Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness, and thereby a decreased ability to make wise decisions. Everything in a casino is perfectly rigged for taking money in large sums and giving nothing in return, except for fleeting and empty pleasures. Lotteries attempt to portray themselves as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, studies show that lottery participants are usually those who can least afford to be spending money on lottery tickets. The allure of "getting rich quick" is too great a temptation to resist for those who are desperate. The chances of winning are infinitesimal, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined.
Why lottery proceeds do not please God: Many people claim to be playing the lottery or gambling so that they can give the money to the church, or to some other good cause. While this may be a good motive, reality is that few use gambling winnings for godly purposes. Studies show that the vast majority of lottery winners are in an even worse financial situation a few years after winning a jackpot than they were before. Few, if any, truly give the money to a good cause. Further, God does not need our money to fund His mission in the world. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of the church through honest means. Would God be honored by receiving donated drug money, or money stolen in a bank robbery? Neither does God need or want money that was "stolen" from the poor by the temptation for riches.
1 Timothy 6:10 tells us, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Hebrews 13:5 declares, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Matthew 6:24 proclaims, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money
2007-02-22 06:15:28 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is very wrong to gamble in any way. It tells us in the Bible that it is wrong and it is stupid....just think how much money people lose, people even kill over it, whether it be themselves or others. And I know that God would never approve.
My dad played the lottery for a while, But then He stopped. I asked him why and He said it is cos Me and My little Brother kept telling Him that God thinks it is wrong and because he just had a feeling from the Holi Sprit. and I guess that is the Job of The Holi Sprit, to keep us on the right track. This is why I believe that playing the lottery and visiting Casino's i wrong according to God.
2007-02-22 06:00:06 · answer #2 · answered by Eryn v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian, & it is different for everyone. For some Christians it is a sin. It may have been an idol in their life before they came to the Lord. Or maybe it is an addiction in their family.
I don't get the OK in my spirit to by a lottery ticket. But if my husband wants lottery or scratch tickets, I'll purchase some for him. Also, my Christian daughter played bingo at a casino area & they were blessed with winnings. They had the OK in their spirit to go. It isn't too expensive to play bingo.
Me, I will play if God gives me direction to or the OK in my spirit to. And God know where the winning tickets are. I don't want to buy tickets that aren't winners. Sometimes there aren't any winning tickets. I just am not a gambler. Unless God let me know a ticket was a winner.
2007-02-22 06:13:37 · answer #3 · answered by LottaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Christians should not gamble or play the lottery. Jesus himself, when visiting the temple, threw over the tables where they had done such things and detested it.`As it says in 1.Tim.6-10, Money is a root of all evil. I can't recall a specific scripture right now and will look into it more, but I am certain it is not a godly thing to do. I don't think it is a sin, but God knows how people are with money and how they are when they lose or get addicted and that He wants us not to have to live through. So it is better to avoid this temptation and put your money to better things, considering we are only stewards of the money God gives us.
2007-02-22 05:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by VW 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Grey area. Some hold that on occasion it's allowed, so long as it isn't to excess. Others hold that any gambling is excessive always.
You'll tend to find that a similar attitude on alcohol runs along the same denominational lines. Some hold that alcohol is always excessive, others that drinking in moderation (avoiding drunkenness and not being too given to wine) is allowed.
Personally, I think the lottery is a tax on the poor, just as cigarettes are. Visiting a casino once in a while is something I'll do with friends, but I'm not a fan of them on a moral standpoint.
2007-02-22 05:57:43 · answer #5 · answered by Veritatum17 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It says no where in the Bible, "Thou shalt not gamble". The reason Jesus overthrew the tables and such in the Temple had nothing to do with gambling, the men running the businesses in the Temple were dishonest and taking advantage of people who had traveled to come and worship in Jerusalem. And Paul did not write "money is the root of all evil." He wrote "money is the root of all KINDS of evil."
That all being said, gambling is only wrong if it becomes an addiction. I see no difference in spending $15 going to the movies for a couple hours of entertainment and spending $15 playing slots at a casino for a couple hours of entertainment.
2007-02-22 06:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by real illuminati(Matt) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The offical position of the Roman Catholic Church, at least, is that gambling is not intrinsically erroneous. If one has an entertainment budget of $100 and wishes to spend it on gambling, this is permissible. However, using money that is needed for sustinence (bills, food, supplies) or that would negatively affect your ability to be charitable is morally and spiritually repugnant.
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Deutch: No where does the Bible call money the root of all evil -- LOVE of money is the root of all evil, according to the Bible.
I can go to a casino just to have fun and relax with my entertainment budget and not be doing it out of love of money; the thrill of the coming and going is pretty sweet on its own.
2007-02-22 05:54:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe in playing the lottery or going to casinos because the money could be put to a better use.
When I have extra money I like to use it on helping someone else who is not as fortunate as I....
2007-02-22 05:54:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Both are gambling and both are wrong for a Christian. It is the rich taking advantage of the poor with the hopes of the poor becoming rich. He throws away his hard earned money on chance of becoming rich instead of trusting God.
2007-02-22 05:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. And It is Biblical, the Word does not exactly say gambling, but it is a vice and does destroy relationships & Families.
Just as it says not to kill ppl, it doesn't specify by gun, stranglation,hit & run etc...
2007-02-22 06:00:46 · answer #10 · answered by BamCaliFlaVa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋