Christians, what do you think about Gambling?

Question

Have you ever been to a Casino? Been in any pools at work? Played cards for money?

What do you think about Christians gambling? Got any Scripture for your answer?

Do you think, since it can be addictive, that Christians should just stay away from it altogether (even though it may not be morally wrong)?

Faith, great website. Thanks!!!

Giggly Giraffe, thanks for sharing that! Certainly makes you think before you gamble.

Amen, ELM!!! Way to break it down to some basic biblical principles for us.

Yo C, I like that. We should always want to live in such a way that we are pleasing to God, even if we have to choose to obstain from things that might be fun but potentially sinful or dangerous. Thanks for sharing.

4HIM, thanks for the input.

Answer 1

Gambling is not the will of God. There for I will not do so.
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-g001.html

Answer 2

I have gambled before and really the bible doesn't say much about it except that the roman soldiers did it for Jesus' clothes. The thing I do know is that I want to live in a way that would be pleasing to God. I know that it is a waste of my money to gamble so there are other things that I could do with it than put it into a machine and lose it. I want to know I am handling the stuff of life that God has given me with wisdom. So no, I don't do pools or play the lotto or any of that . If other christians want to gamble it is their business.

Answer 3

I am not sure why some Christians are down on it. It may be based on the Roman soldiers throwing lots for Jesus garment. If that is the case then I guess we shouldn't use nails either. I would say within moderation. And I have heard some gambling machines are highly addictive. Video lottery or something so I would stay away for sure. And if you have a problem definitely not.

Answer 4

I used to like going to Las Vegas. I thought playing the slots and blackjack was fun. Never really won anything. To me it was just entertainment. I haven't been there in, oh, I'd say about six years now. They call it "sin city", right? At one point I asked myself this question, should a Christian be found in a place nicknamed sin city. No I don't think so. That's my take on it!

And I don't gamble anymore either, I don't even buy lottery tickets. If God desires to bless me financially, He can do it when, and if, and how, He chooses. I also asked myself, would I like to see my pastor buying a lottery ticket, and the answer is no, I wouldn't. So I don't do it, either.

Answer 5

i dont gamble - again, because its not wise. no it might not be morally wrong, but it is addictive non the less.
In the NT Jesus just doesn't deal with the act but deals with the motive behind the act - the root.
- what is gambling? its the attempt to gain things that we did not work to gain. the root is often times greed, covetousness and almost an obessive compulsion to do anything and everything they can do get what they want. i've seen gambling ruin lives of not only those addicted, but their families and friends.

- sorry no absolute scripture to back it up - just Godly principles. :)

Answer 6

I buy the occasional lottery ticket...mostly as a lark.
Gambling though...the energy of it is not very positive...where the lottery doesn't exactly make losers out of those who don't win, gambling on the other hand, does. Gambling can be quite superficial, smothered with arrogance/pride, humiliating, consuming...hardly an example of righteousness...

...though there's definitely no reason to demonize gamblers...no more than I would demonize a drinker. Ingesting poison in any amount is kind of absurd...but it doesn't make someone a bad person.

-Rob

Answer 7

Gambling is evil and many a poor mother and her children went without food heat and clothes, because the father gambled his pay, his holiday pay pawned anything he could get his hands on. The Children suffer all the time Gambling fathers should be jailed for child neglect, anyone responsible for causing children to suffer should be jailed.

Answer 8

I hate gambling but I hated it before I became a Christian. I have an aunt who lost her house and everything to gambling. I have an uncle who stole money from my grandmother to pay off a loan shark due to gambling. It's an evil, horrible thing.

Answer 9

The act of 'throwing lots' was how the replacements of both Judus and Jesus were picked. Judus was replaced by Botholemew and Jesus was replaced by Phillip who by the way was the first Christian killed by the actions of the anti-Christ.

We ourselves gamble everyday when we don't trust Gods love and instead call him a sacrifice.

Answer 10

I HATE GAMBLING.

My college sweet-heart moved to Vegas ... Vegas ate him up without a burp (metaphorically speaking).

Then my best guy buddy moved to Vegas & yep ... destroyed.

Then I dated a recovering Gambler. He actually seems to be recovered, but his bankrupcy made our relationship stressful (7 year event that bankrupcy). NO I didn't see him sucome to gambling, but I was there for the recovery ... and it SUCKED.

Now my baby sisters datting a man who appears to be addicted to internet gambling.

I HATE GAMBLING!!!
Hypocrite me ... I do endulge in the Lottery (blush).
Dunno what Jesus say's about it ... but I say IT SUCKS!!!

Answer 11

Yes, I have been to Vegas. I have been in pools at work. I believe that it is a personal choice. If it is something that bothers your conscience or causes someone else to mess up, don't do it.

Romans 14th chapter.