Bible study on gambling. What is gambling? These are important questions we must answer to serve God faithfully, and lead others to Christ with the gospel. 'Gambling' Isn't In The Bible The word 'gambling' isn't in the Bible, as is the case with many other words associated with morality.

1. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin And What
2. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin In The Bible
3. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Against
4. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin

I am sure you have heard the terms: Raffle, Bingo, Scratch n’ win, Lottery, or Gaming? Have you ever made a “wager” on the outcome of a sporting event? Our country is obsessed with gambling. The top three addictions in our society are alcohol, drugs, and gambling. The promises are “thousands” here, and “millions” there, and you know “somebody’s got to win”—however the reality is that millions of dollars are gambled and lost before anyone ever walks away with money.

• Fruit of D’Vine is the name of our monthly newsletter, based upon the biblical truth that each Christian is a “partaker of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4-KJV), and that those who abide in Christ, the Vine, and are thus living truth, will bear godly fruit just as he did.
• Ultimately, compulsive gambling is a sin. Few sincere, Bible-believing Christians would disagree with this. That is, gambling is sinful for those who are addicted to it. You are putting the love.
• The Bible’s statement, “For the wages of sin is death ” (Romans 6:23), applies to all sin, whether in thought, word, or deed. At the same time, it seems obvious that some sins are worse than others in both motivation and effects, and should be judged accordingly.

Does the Bible condemn such gambling? We must search the scriptures and then we will know what God expects of us in this and any other situation. Not every sin has a “thou shall not”, but the Bible does tell us how to develop our senses in order to discern both good and evil (Heb 5:12-14).

The Bible condemns gambling on its principles. What is the agenda of gambling? On the part of the Lottery Business: to feed on the public’s greed and to have more ticket revenue, than prize payout (barely more than half of the ticket revenue is ever paid out in winnings). The public who plays the lottery, or gambling of any kind, is attempting to get something for nothing, and to get as much money as possible for as little effort as possible.

The Bible speaks clearly on these things. Greed is covetousness, look at greed in the light of the scriptures: Romans 1:28-32 “such a little sin?” It is mentioned here along with “haters of God”. Ephesians 4:17-24 instructs us to no longer walk as those that are given over to greediness. 1 Timothy 6:10, to pursue “greediness” is to “stray from the faith”.

What about getting something for nothing? The picture of the lottery is getting everything you ever wanted without any effort. From the time that man was driven out of the garden we were told that we must work for our sustenance (Gen 3:19). If a man does not work, he shouldn’t eat (2 Thess 3:10-12). There are people in this life that get things that they do not work for by taking advantage of others. They are called thieves. We are to work and receive our livelihood (1 Thess 4:11)

We Must Learn To Be Content

Why do you think that you need that much money? Are you not content with what God has given you? Do you think you deserve more than others? Not all of us are five talent people (Matt 25:14-30 “Each was given a measure according to their ability”). We are given according to our ability. We need to have the wise attitude of Agar in Proverbs 30: 7-9.

Become content: Learn to find your happiness in Christ, like Paul (Philip 4:9-13 ff; 1 Tim 6:6; Hebrews 13:5).

Trust In God

When a person desires to win the lottery they silently, but surely, proclaim: They have needs that God cannot meet (Matt 6:25-34). They want their treasures now on earth and not in Heaven (Mat 6:19-21). They don’t trust God (1 Tim 6:17).

We must develop our trust in God. The God of Heaven who, with the words of His mouth, spoke all things into existence. Who, by His own great power, was able to make this world from nothing, has promised to never forsake you or leave you (Heb 13:5).

Examine all the things that God has done for you in this life: your home, your health, your talents. As long as we have not wasted our talents or buried them, we all should be doing the best we can. God knows our needs (Matt 6:32). If we do not appreciate what we have been given we will squander it away and will not be able to meet our needs. The things that we waste are what we have received from God in order to meet those needs.

Conclusion: Is gambling a sin? Is covetousness a sin? Is greed a sin? Is materialism a sin? Is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil? So an activity that involves all of those things is definitely a sin!

That “lottery ticket” says, “Buy me, one or two dollars is not going to break you”. Is that the point? If you have money to gamble, why not forget gambling it away and give it to the Lord, and see what great things He can accomplish with it.

We must trust in God to take care of us according to His will. And no, God does not will that you make personal gain through immoral, or inappropriate means. It simply boils down to a statement Jesus made one time in a garden, “Your will, not my will be done.” Be content with such things as you have and let not greed be once named among you.

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin And What

I have a confession to make. Every once in a while, when the lottery jackpot is worth at least a few hundred million dollars, I will spend two dollars on a lottery ticket. I don't think I've ever matched more than two numbers, but the chance at winning such a large amount of money is occasionally, to me, worth a $2 investment. In my mind, I have convinced myself that I would be able to handle the jackpot without going loony tunes like most lottery winners. I would give large amounts of money away to churches, Christian causes, Christian organizations, etc., etc. I would sponsor all of the unsponsored Compassion children in Ecuador (and/or some other country). I would only keep a small amount of the money for myself. So, why doesn't God cause me to win the lottery? More on that later. First, to the question at hand.
Let me define what exactly I mean by gambling. I would define gambling as risking money, with the goal of winning significantly more money, in something that is significantly against the odds. Whether it is buying a lottery ticket, or playing blackjack in a casino, or betting at the horse track, what all of those activities have in common is that the odds of winning are very low. Far more people will lose money gambling on those activities than will gain money. That is why the gambling industry is so successful. The reason the gambling industry can afford to occasionally give away millions of dollars is that it is consistently bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars. So, with this definition of gambling in mind — what does the Bible say about gambling?
The Bible does not mention gambling per se, at least not in the sense of a command 'thou shalt not gamble.' But, the Bible does contain numerous principles that undeniably apply to gambling. The Bible warns us to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). The Bible also discourages attempts to 'get rich quick' (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; 28:20; Ecclesiastes 5:10). If anything identifies the gambling industry, it is the 'love of money' and the desire to 'get rich quick.' The Bible also consistently teaches the importance of financial stewardship and managing money wisely. Excessive gambling definitely violates these three biblical principles. The issue becomes more difficult, though, when controlled/moderate gambling is in question.

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin In The Bible

Can you gamble, just for fun, if the love of money and a desire to get rich quick are not in mind? If the money you would spend on gambling is the money that is usually 'wasted' on other things, i.e. fun money, is it wrong to gamble? Often, when people object to the GotQuestions.org stance against gambling, they will say something like, 'What is the difference between spending $10 on lottery tickets vs. spending $10 on a movie and popcorn?' While I agree that there really isn't much of a difference, the question misses the point. Should we really be wasting our money on anything? Saying that other activities are as bad as gambling does not make gambling good or right.
With all of that said, let me make it clear, I believe the Bible gives us the freedom to spend reasonable amounts of money on entertainment/fun. If all other financial responsibilities are being fully and properly managed, there is nothing wrong with 'wasting' a little money on a little frivolity. Could this frivolity include spending a dollar or two on lottery tickets? Perhaps. But, again, utmost caution should be taken to make sure it is not done out of a love for money or a desire to get rich. And, be warned, recent scientific studies are showing that gambling addiction can be as strong an addiction as heroin and other illicit drugs.
What does the Bible say about gambling? If you can do it free from the love of money, without the desire to get rich quick, and without detracting from taking care of other financial responsibilities—it would be a matter of Christian freedom and personal conviction. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid gambling entirely. I do not think, though, that a conclusive case against all gambling can be made from the Bible.
So, back to my opening side question: Why doesn't God cause Christians to win the lottery so the money can be given to good causes? God doesn't need the lottery to fund the causes He supports. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). If God wanted a Christian to win the lottery, He would not even need the Christian to buy a ticket. He could just as easily cause the wind to blow a ticket out of someone else's hands and land in the lap of a Christian a hundred miles away.

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Against

Hey, it's windy today. Maybe I should take my laptop and go work outside...

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin

S. Michael Houdmann