As far as I am aware, scripture makes no specific references to the act of gambling being sinful. It does, however, equate poor stewardship of the Lord's blessings with sinfulness, and has even more specific references to the stewardship of money, implying that we are obligated to use it to glorify God. So the better question might be, "Is gambling poor stewardship of money and therefore sinful?"
This might be just a poor sinner's weak attempt at justifing his sin, but if I claim to be an exceptional poker player that wins more than he loses, thereby adding to the money over which I have stewardship, am I still a poor steward and therefore sinful?
2007-03-03 12:06:35 · 19 answers · asked by andalorn 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Stewardship is not just about how you spend your money... it's also about how you spend your time
Are you being a witness for Christ whilst playing poker? Are you using your time and money to win souls for Him?
I believe if you sincerely pray and ask God's guidance in this matter He will reveal to you what you must do.
In fact your mentioning that this might be a weak attempt to justify a known sin is a pretty clear indication that the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you DO, do it all for the glory of God.
I know that you love God and want to do His will....
2007-03-03 12:19:18 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is what I see and could be that I am wrong. If ,let us say, you had joy in going out to watch a movie and you do it and it is not a sin then why not gamble? I think that the time that gambling is a real sin is when you start to gamble with the rent, or your food money or the food and home from your family. I also think it wrong if people gamble and then blame God for losing. I think otherwise it is fine. Remember to take only the amount you are willing to spend on a nights fun with you when you go to gamble and take nothing more.
2007-03-03 12:12:25 · answer #2 · answered by The_answer_person 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I know it makes a reference to being a good steward with your money. Gambling your extra cash is ok, but obviously not if you're using this month's rent or your kid's education for sport! and the way I see it, gambling is a past time- even similar to something simple like golf or shopping. It's just when you put that activity above God and turn it into an idol that it becomes a sin.
2007-03-03 12:10:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No gambling is not a sin. If it was the Jews would be in huge trouble for casting lots.
It all comes down to your hearts intentions. If you are looking to money to support you instead of GOD then that would not be a good thing and it doesn't work. If you are playing a game for the fun of it then it is just money. Money is a piece of paper that the world uses for goods services and power. The only thing GOD has to do with it is when you wish to sacrifice some of your worldly money because it means so much to us.
Shalom.
2007-03-03 12:13:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you've pointed out, The Bible never specifically speaks of Gambling as a Sin, but you may have something in that it is being a Poor Steward of what God provided. Although my Church has taken a stand against Gambling, I cannot Honestly say it is undeniably a Sin.
2007-03-03 12:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi.
Many scriptures could be used here.... But I'll just us one.
(Isaiah 65:11-12) 11 “But YOU men are those leaving Jehovah, those forgetting my holy mountain, those setting in order a table for the god of Good Luck and those filling up mixed wine for the god of Destiny. 12 And I will destine YOU men to the sword, and YOU will all of YOU bow down to being slaughtered; for the reason that I called, but YOU did not answer; I spoke, but YOU did not listen; and YOU kept doing what was bad in my eyes, and the thing in which I took no delight YOU chose.”
Hmmm setting a table for the god of good luck..... sounds like poker??
Mike
2007-03-03 12:39:17 · answer #6 · answered by ijeepbc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I loves to play cards, I could play all day every day, but when your losing, it's the worst thing because you are caught thinking you can get it back and just losing more. Gambling is just like sport to me, you win and you lose. The only sin is to keep playing if you keep losing, which I do.
2007-03-03 12:35:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God loves to gamble......He's in a giant elaborate soul game with Satan, Satan gets the upper hand, the deck is in his favor: He's Got original sin and the earth as his play ground.
God and Satan are betting at the table, But even God admits he'll lose most of the 'souls' wagered , but he'll accept his losses and punish the chips for doing what they were made to do!
2007-03-03 12:12:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you based your ethics on weather you win or lose that's pretty carnal. That is situation ethics. The ends justify the means. The World Series of Poker people are known to be givers to charity. Of course they say poker is a skill. I guess yo have to let God tell you if it is right or wrong.
2007-03-03 12:16:46 · answer #9 · answered by lenshure 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a sin. You aren't trusting in God to provide for you. The love of money is the root of evil.
2007-03-03 12:13:39 · answer #10 · answered by jasmin2236 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋