I've been a Christian for just over a year now, and I've always wanted to ask...is gambling a sin and why? If gambling _is_ a sin, then is Bingo considered gambling?
I'm asking because I enjoy watching "National Bingo Night", I think it's a fun show, but I am also interested in participating. I was going to print up some Bingo cards for this week's show, but I thought I'd better ask this question first. I don't want to do something that my heavenly Father would be offended by.
Please provide Scripture if you would. Thanks.
2007-06-11 13:14:05 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery ... Or bingo! 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. (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 either.
There is this warning though ... 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." I would say it gets down to motives ... A heart issue.
2007-06-11 13:35:09 · answer #1 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion, gambling is like anything else -- it can become a sin if you let it overtake your life. If you are able to play a few games of Bingo strictly for fun, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. But if you start neglecting your family, your church, and your prayer time with God in order to play Bingo more ... that's where the problem comes in.
2007-06-11 13:18:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are spending money on a chance, its a sin. You are suppose to seek the Lord for all of your needs, weather they are financial, or personal or what ever. If you put your faith in anything else other than God for all of your needs, that is a sin. If you spend money on Bingo in hopes of winning the big one, then you are putting the bingo as the one to supply your financial need instead of taking it to the Lord and letting him do it for you. If you give to the Lord , then he will give back to you more than you gave to him. If you play Bingo just for fun, (no money) then it is okay. If you pay money to play, then like all sin, it starts out small and innocent, then like a cancer it grows and befor you know it you are giving up things you need to feed the growing cancer. This is where it becomes sin. Hope this helps
2007-06-11 13:40:28 · answer #3 · answered by sparkplug 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Ephesians 5:18, the Apostle Paul writes; And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit...
The problem is in overindulgence, the doing in excess.
However, what we need to do is define sin. Is Gambling a sin? No. Sin is the Human Nature.
The things we do in the flesh that people call sin; Is in reality the "fruits of the sin nature"
Sin is the "tree" of the human nature, that produces to "fruits" the things we do in the flesh. Jesus said that "by their fruits ye shall know them"
What is it that tells us what the fruits of sin is and what it is not? Its the Law.
Remember Paul said; He had not known lust, except the law had said "Thou shalt not covet."
Paul speaking in referrence to the Spiritual Essence of the Law says; To him who know to do good and doeth it not; To him it is sin.
Is gambling one of the fruits of sin? What does the heart or conscience tells you?
If you are a Born Again Christian; has the Holy Spirit convicted you that Gambling is one of the fruits of sin?
Remember one person convictions are not another persons convictions.
It's the Holy Spirit that convicts a believer, on what is "fruits" of sin and what isnt.
Its not for me to decided! (Outside of what the Law says)
2007-06-11 13:46:30 · answer #4 · answered by n_007pen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but it must be fair, you shouldn't get addicted, or harm/abuse other people, etc.
St. Augustine said, “The Devil invented gambling.” Maybe so. Remember, as our Lord hung on the cross, the Roman soldiers threw dice to see who would get His tunic, seeking only their own benefit while being oblivious to the greater good (Jn 19:24). Granted, there is nothing wrong with gambling as long as it is kept within the confines of virtue. Nevertheless, one must be very careful and vigilant.
2007-06-11 13:17:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sin? Well that depends upon your feelings while you do it. Are you doing it for just pure enjoyment purposes? Or are you doing it for a quick buck?
If you believe that its ok and just for entertainment, then you are probably fine.
However if you are interested in it for the money, take note of these words...
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:15 (KJV)
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:5 (KJV)
2007-06-18 11:18:10 · answer #6 · answered by Rev. Matthew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"There is no such thing as sin: Only men, women, families and potential mental losses"
"..and financial ones"
George W Thatcher Insane Acts 12.34
2007-06-19 03:22:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a sin because it's very addicting and very wasteful!
2007-06-17 22:17:27 · answer #8 · answered by mata 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, its not being a good steward of your money.
2007-06-11 13:17:34 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-06-11 13:26:48 · answer #10 · answered by harlin42 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋