Is gambling a sin? Lotteries and bingo at local churches, are popular fund raisers?

Answer 1

Gambling is not a sin. God himself had a wager with Satan about destroying someone's life (Job). And in countless parts of the Bible God uses games of chance to decide things:

Numbers 26:52-56
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying ... the land shall be divided by lot.

Joshua 14:2
By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Joshua 18:6
Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

Joshua 19:51
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD.

Joshua 21:8
And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

1 Chronicles 26:13-14
And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate. And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God.

Acts 1:23-26
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.... And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.


So with this many references to gambling in the Bible, I fail to see how it should be viewed as a sin. Unfortunately fundamentalists like to portray everything as sinful in order to control the lives of followers. But when it comes to sin the Bible is far more outspoken against eating shrimp, mixing fibers in a garment, being gay, being a rebellious teen, working on Sunday, or going to church if you are disabled. There are a lot of things the Bible is clearly against that most Christians ignore every day. Gambling is certainly acceptable in Biblical terms.

Answer 2

I think the gambling referred to is one in which money is gambled to the neglect of family life. For instance I dare not go into a slot machine place and put money in> Because I know that if I start I will spend every penny I have. If I go to the Church bingo i know i am helping with a good cause and the amount I can get is limited. I do not go to win i go to have a little fun. The church I go to supports in part anyway several missionaries in Africa and Pupa New Guinea. They do not just stand and preach they give practical assistance where needed and possible. Incidently my own church wil not run Bingo etc.

Answer 3

Not sure about sin, but it is unhealthy for a lot of people. It promotes debauchery and addiction in several ways:

The obvious one is it encourages people to take chances w their money, when frankly the odds are stacked way against people actually winning. Casinos stay open and thrive because people choose their dreams of fortune instead of examining the odds of winning / losing.

Also, there is a lot of alcohol avaliable and casinos like the fact that patrons drink when gambling - because ppl tend to get more wreckless in their bets while drunk.

It attracts maufia and those attempting to win $ to pay off debts owed to maufia. This encourages desperate people to to gamble compulsively, out of fear ... and often leads to violence againt them, since - again - it's hard to come out financially ahead.

I think it can be harmless fun for some people, especially when done as a novelty activity, while on vacation. But overall I don't like the idea of casinos.

Answer 4

Gambling is not a sin.

Now if you lie, cheat or steal while gambling then those are sins.

Churches are around for monetary reasons anyway. They are in it for the money and will hold poker games if it mean extra money for the church and their pockets.

Gambling is blessing. Even Jesus himself loved to play a little bingo back in the day. Filling the card would win you 2 sheep back then!!

Answer 5

I dont believe gambling is a sin because it is no where in the ten commandments. As long as you do it honestly and dont try to steal the money. Also anything in excess is bad for you so always in moderation.

Answer 6

Gambling isn't, as such, a sin. But always remember, the only consistent winner is the chappie with the bank/pack of cards.etc.....

Answer 7

i've actually done a good bit of reading the bible, and nowhere in there does it say that gambling is sinful...being a poor steward of your money(wasting it on useless things) is sinful, and making money your God is sinful, but that doesn't necessarily include gambling

Answer 8

yes
I think churches that have any form of gambling are wrong.
My church does not have bingo.
It depends upon the church.
The reason its wrong is because the church is then acquiring its money from chance or luck through gambling using the devil.
Yes, you heard right.
Chance or luck is of the devil.
Anytime you play games of chance you are putting your faith in the devil.
So every time the church employs gambling, it is putting its faith in the devil.
God Bless

Answer 9

Everything in moderation or something similar, what Scripture those words were from, I don't know right now,
Games are no sin.
Sin is if a obsession or if HARMing

Answer 10

It says it in the bible, but people in religious christain denominations still do it anyway. I tend to find my own through all religions including christ. Since the bible has been tampered with through out history and different religions make their own beliefs and not gods. I don't know what to believe anymore, but I still don't rule out god isn't a fake.