You are about to explore a subject that has become elusive in nature, contains unsettling questions, and is yet nearly as old as man himself---------Gambling! Gambling can be defined as “risking money or valuables in an attempt to multiply them against the odds”. Here are some of the questions you’ll find an answer for in this article:
- Is gambling a sin?
- Is buying raffle tickets for a good cause a sin?
- Is buying and selling stock in the stock exchange wrong?
- Can I use the lottery as a form of entertainment?
- Is it ok to play bingo as a fundraiser for the church?
While you won’t find the word “gambling” in the Bible you can find examples that frame the immoral issues that surround the act. The word (gambling) itself is currently getting a face lift by being changed to “gaming” perhaps because “gambling” has been so closely associated with evil! We can get to the heart of the matter by looking more closely at these evil associations and live life the way we always should ------ “according to Bible authority“.
Here is a list of what gaming doesn’t promote:
Stewardship
When a person gambles, they are not good stewards of the things God has given them. James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Time, money, and possessions that are trusted to each of us, in the amounts that God allows us, should be used wisely and to God’s glory not squandered on a hopeless chance. Luke 16:11 says:
If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
Even our bodies belong to service unto God:
1 Cor. 6:12,13
[12] All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.
[13] Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
Contentment
The Hebrew writer says in Hebrews 13:5 :
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Paul wrote to the Church at Philipi and stated “ …. I have learned in whatever situation, I am to be content. And again in I Timothy 6:6,8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain…. And having food and raiment let us be content. This surely does not characterize the compulsive gambler; he is interested in only getting more!
A good example
The Christian is called out of the world to serve God!
2 Cor. 6:14,17
[14] Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
[17] Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
Gambling is associated with such evil things as drinking, drugs, prostitution, and reveling.
As Christians we must abstain from evil (I Thes. 5:22)
Now let’s get right down to it! If you gamble, your goal is to get rich quick and/or gain some possesion without working for it! But God’s word authorizes us to aquire money one of three ways : 1) by working for it (2 Thes. 3:10). 2) By selling land or trading goods for it in fair exchange (Acts 4:34). 3) By gifts shared by believers. (Acts 4:34,35).
Let’s consider some things that gaming does promote:
Covetousness (1 Cor. 5:10-11) is a desire to have more and is a strong desire after possessions of worldly things. This is a strong trait in the eye of the gambler together with………
The love of money (Ec. 5:10; I Tim.6:10) is a form of covetousness and clearly the root of all sorts of evil, being closely associated with divorce, crime, alcoholism,drug addiction, poverty, homelessness, prostitution, suicide, etc.
Greed is an excessive desire to aquire or possess more than one needs or deserves.
Ephes. 5:1-3
[1] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
[3] But immorality and all impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
Not loving our neighbor (Matt. 22:39) is sin.
When we love our neighbor, we do him no harm (Rom. 13:10).
The gambler seeks the property of his neighbor without any compensation and thus works ill toward him.
Lust and licentiousness (1 John 2:16; 2 Cor. 12:20-21) is highly prevalent in casino type gambling and should at all cost be avoided.
Decay of Family
There are multitudes of people wasting their savings, their families, and their futures chasing the tantalizing but false hopes hawked by casinos and state lotteries. Gaming venues focus especially their efforts to feed off of families with less education and lower incomes because they know they’re desperate to “hit it big”.
Let us now take a brief moment to clear up what seems to be gray area concerning gambling. Recreational gambling (lotteries, raffles, bingo… etc.) is sinful as well, even in its moderation! While the fundamental reasons have already been given we can always give ourselves a quick litmus test.
When determining whether or not an activity is proper for a Christian, three principles must guide us according to the question “What are good works?”
- A. an activity that proceeds from a true faith
- B. activities that are performed according to God’s law
- C. an activity is done to the glory of God
(Romans 14:23, I Samuel 15:22, I Corintians 10:31)
Recreational gambling is a waste of time because productive work is not being done, nor is wholesome recreation being enjoyed. It is a waste of money, because no tangible benefit is gained, nor intangible benefit of any lasting and spiritual value. It’s the wrong way to obtain money; God promises to supply our needs in the way of honest work. We need to remember that all we have and do belongs to God!
In closing I’d like to share a story that reflects the sad condition of many people’s hearts concerning God’s divine nature toward us:
It’s about a farmer who one day reported with enthusiasm his best cow had given birth to two beautiful calves, one red and one white. He told his wife his intention was to dedicate one of the calves to the Lord. “When the time comes to sell them,” he said, “we’ll keep the proceeds that come from one calf and give the proceeds from the other to the Lord.” “Which calf do you plan to give to the Lord?” the wife asked. “No need to decide now,” said the farmer. “We’ll treat them both the same and later sell them as I said.” Several months later, the farmer entered the kitchen looking very sad. When the wife asked what was troubling him he said, “I have bad news. The Lord’s calf is dead.” “But you never decided which was to be the Lord’s calf,” said his wife. “Oh yes I did,” he insisted. “I had always determined it was to be the white one -------- and it was the white one that died.”
It is always the Lord’s calf that dies ------- unless we are clear about the true nature of our possessions! This is the attitude that is characteristic of gamblers that pledge a portion of their winnings to God but never realizes that God doesn’t need their money.