Isn't it a sin to gamble (read the question's details, please!!!)?

Question

Most Christians say that gambling is a sin. This is the reason why gambling is illegal in most of the USA, and why the most avid opponents of Casinos opening up in new places are usually the religious...

In which case wouldn't god reserve a special place in hell for those who believe in him/her based upon Pascal's Wager?

Answer 1

Gambling is like alcohol. It only becomes a sin when it gets out of hand. Besides Pascal's Wager isn't a good way to believe. "To believe just-in-case" is not a valid belief.

Answer 2

Pascal's Wager does not suggest you believe just for luck or take a gamble. Pascal's Wager is simply something to make you think. There IS a special place in hell for all those who do not have faith and do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Gambling can be a sin. Gambling in itself is not a sin. Gambling is simply entertainment. If you were to take your family of 4 to the movies and dinner you could spend well over $100, so if you simply substitue that with spending $100 gambling then gambling is not a sin.

When gambling takes over your life and has has you not handling what God has given you in a good stewardship model then it becomes sin.

Therefore in that scenario going to a G rated movie 7 days a week can be sin if you are not being a good steward of that which God has given you.

Answer 3

Gambling is the playing or gaming for money or other stakes with a view to getting something for little or nothing; elements of luck and chance are always present - all of which, when taken together, form a system which is not of God. Gambling is in opposition to the divine will; it is a wicked, evil practice, destructive of the finer sensitivities of the soul. No matter how cloaked or disguised, and no matter how professedly worthy an accompanying money raising scheme may be, gambling is morally wrong and will be avoided by all who are saints in deed. Clubs, civic organizations, fraternal groups, governments, and sometimes even some churches, sponsor, support, approve, or conduct various gambling enterprises as part of their fund raising programs. Such sponsorship has no sanctifying or transforming power. Gambling is gambling, and is to be shunned, no matter where it is found. In every concern of life the element of chance is present, and this fact of itself does not classify an enterprise as gambling. "The element of chance enters very largely into everything we undertake," President Joseph F. Smith said, "and it should be remembered that the spirit in which we do things decides very largely whether we are gambling or are entering into legitimate business enterprise."

Answer 4

I am a Christian that does not believe gambling within itself is a sin. After all, it is a gamble when I rise in the morning if I will make it to work without a traffic accident.

It is a sin to take excessive amounts of money and use it depending on getting rich from it - losing all you have. It is not any more sinful to spend $5.00 on slots than it is to go to a good moral movie and spend $5.00. Either way, it is recreation. Spending $5. to go to a ballgame is the same way.

The sin comes when we let it possess us and we have to keep throwing away the money we need to live or that should be given to the poor. When we let gambling control our lives, it is sinful.

Answer 5

Great point!
What are the odds that I choose the correct religion? Isn't that a gamble itself? Any activity that negatively affects the individual is deemed a sin, but just because some people cannot control their urges/impulses/addictions, does not mean that I sin in a responsible fashion. That goes for drinking, gambling, sex, food, swears, etc...

Answer 6

Do I get to drink here?

Do anti-Pascal's Wager questions count?

Confused. I don't know. So if I do I'm gambling. And if I don't I'm gambling. You've just dammed me to hell, curse you!

Answer 7

Why are you gambling or playing a lotto ? To make money ? Then your not trusting in the Lord to meet your needs .That money could have helped spread the gospel which is Gods will .How about Bingo in churches ? Matthew 6:24 , Timothy 6:10

Answer 8

sin sin deal me in. I do not remember what pacals wager is however in light of what the answer truely is I doubt it makes a difference.

The Bible never says gambling is a sin. Perhaps becuz God created Pascal. It does however say we should be good stewards of what we are allowded dominion over, and it does sugest that taking good care of ones family given one is the provider is a good idea. Not likely you are going to trip up a person who actually knows what the Bible says and does not say.

Answer 9

some of the more fundamental denominations say gambling is a sin is because the Roman soldiers cast lots (dice) for Jesus' belongings while He was on the cross...no where in the Bible does it say "thou shalt not play roulette"

Answer 10

I'm not familiar with Pascal's wager. Is that the idea that a believer won't lose anything if they are wrong, but a non-believer has everything to lose?

If that is what is meant by Pascal's wager, I must point out that Jesus said that "many would come in that day and say 'didn't we preach in your name" or "heal in your name" etc (they did this or that in the name of Jesus), but Jesus said He would say to them, "But I never KNEW you. Depart from me, you workers of iniquity!"

Nobody has ever been saved just to save their own neck. God isn't a personal fire insurance.

The bottom line of all sin is putting one's self above anybody else. The antonym of Love (from the greek word "Agape") is NOT "hate", but "selfishness".

If selfishness is the "crime" (the bottom line to any sin), then getting saved merely in order to escape hell is just as selfish as doing anything else for selfish reasons.

One additional thought - about gambling. If a person is so addicted to gambling that he or she will use their grocery money instead of buying necessities, then it IS a sin.