Posted on 02/21/2022 9:29:54 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Is it a sin to buy a lottery ticket? What about making a bet at a casino – so long as it's a budgeted amount of money and made responsibly? How about dropping a sports bet? Is it a sin to gamble?
Some people would argue there is nothing sinful about it. Recently, after posting on Facebook one of my editorials against the legalization of sports betting in the Tar Heel state, a woman said in the comments section: "I've never found any basis in the Bible to oppose gambling specifically, even though I have searched." Another woman wrote, "Nowhere in the Bible does it say gambling is a sin — not one single sentence about gambling."
Guess what? Those two women were right. One cannot show any place in Scripture where it directly says, "Thou shalt not gamble." But is the matter that easily dismissed?
The late Dr. D. James Kennedy, a renowned Presbyterian minister, used to counter this argument in favor of gambling by explaining it's also impossible to find in Scripture where it directly says, "Thou shalt not watch pornography." Nevertheless, the Bible does talk about the sin of lust and advocates principles that would prohibit doing anything that would entertain, generate, or provide for the means and expression of lust.
The Bible also talks about the sin of covetousness. "Those who cannot see the connection between pornography and lust are not likely to see the connection between covetousness and gambling," said Kennedy. "The truth is, however, that gambling is a form of the sin of covetousness."
What is covetousness, one might ask? In short, covetousness is an inordinate desire for wealth and possessions or someone else's possessions.
Rex Rogers, in his book Seducing America, rightly says there are only three ways to legitimately acquire property: 1. as a gift, 2. as a payment for labor, and 3. in fair exchange. Anything else is covetousness and gambling certainly doesn't fit any of these criteria.
Covetousness is a violation of the 10th Commandment of God, "Thou shalt not covet …" (Exodus 20:17). Gambling flows from a spirit of avarice and greed. This is what makes it so exciting and addictive. It stirs up what is depraved in human nature and can make a person lose their way. Gambling is born of the burning desire for quick earthly riches.
Thus, the Scriptures provide strong warnings about covetousness. Jesus said, "Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses" (Luke 12:15). The apostle Paul admonished, "But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains" (I Timothy 6:9-10).
Many other principles in the Bible indict and condemn the practice of gambling:
Syndicated columnist George Will summarized it this way: "The more people believe in the importance of luck, chance, randomness, and fate, the less they believe in the importance of stern virtues such as industriousness, thrift, deferral of gratification, diligence, and studiousness."
There are numerous other ways gambling runs afoul of the Bible's teachings. God requires good stewardship of one's possessions. Jesus alluded to this in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Generally speaking, gambling is a waste of one's resources that could have been put to good use. The games are rife with deception, concealing or misleading people about the odds. The Psalmist said the Lord would destroy those who tell lies, and he abhors those who deal treacherously (Psalm 5:10).
Moreover, state-sanctioned gambling undermines the God-ordained purpose of government to suppress and judge evil (Romans 13:1-5). The state does just the opposite by allowing the citizenry to be fleeced and victimized by gambling.
Its most unfortunate churches often promote gambling by using games of chance for charitable purposes. They say the end justifies the means. Gamblers sometimes rationalize making their bets by noting that churches have bingo games, raffles, etc. Churches, however, and Christians in general, should be setting the right example by not participating in any kinds of gambling. Of all those who should demonstrate that we should keep free from the love of money and be content with what God has provided (Hebrew 13:5), it’s the people of God.
Indeed, the Bible may not say, "Thou shalt not gamble." Still, God's Word is filled with precepts and principles that unquestionably condemn the practice as sinful. It doesn't matter whether the money wagered was deemed a responsible bet or not. When one gambles, it is a covetous act that is participatory and complicit in a baneful enterprise that shares in the guilt of many other sins.
Rev. Mark H. Creech is Executive Director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc. He was a pastor for twenty years before taking this position, having served five different Southern Baptist churches in North Carolina and one Independent Baptist in upstate New York.
For sure it’s stupid 🤪
No. But it’s a sin to vote for a Rat.
Being Stupid is not a Sin.
Investing in the stock market is a gamble.
Trusting your government is not only a gamble but a sure fire loser.
It is to my wife. End of discussion…
It is definitely a sin.
People should buy a gun instead.
NOW GO, AND SIN NO MORE!
Absolutely nothing in the Bible forbids gambling. Saying it is covetousness is just making stuff up. And I don’t gamble, I think it’s stupid but I also hate it when people go beyond the things written.
To mussies, yes. Even to them taking out a life insurance policy is gambling.
To joyless, scolding puritans, yes. To the sensible (ie those who can partake of the sport of chance in moderation), no.
Is it a sin to participate in a raffle when half of the proceeds support your church?
I think it is only a sin to try to live by such bets. If you do not bet away money you must depend for your life on and you are stoic (don’t have angst over) about the results - come se, come sa - then I don’t think your sin, as much as it is, is that big a deal. The gamble in that case is not a controlling factor in your life.
If you have a gambling addiction and/or are always betting away money you need for food, housing, family, transportation or health, then you have a sin problem - in my view.
If the action controls you it is sin. My dad was described at his funeral as a student of the game of poker. His friend said he didn’t play as much as toyed with his opponents finding new ways to take their money.
He would go to Vegas once a year for a few days. He would have a certain amount of money and if he won he won. If he lost he lost.
It was truly his form of entertainment. That’s a whole different story than the gambler who bets the car payment or his whole paycheck on the sure thing.
As for me, it holds absolutely no interest. I’ve had several week long stays in Vegas for work and haven’t spent one penny ever at the casino’s.
If a friend is selling raffle tickets I sometimes buy one but think of it as a donation to his cause. Nothing more.
Lottery tickets are a tax on stupid people.
I’m looking forward to the weekly poker game this Thursday.
5.56mm
It is odd that a government that proports to protect disadvantaged people, conducts lotteries, enables collage loans for useless degrees, and provides crack pipes.
Or, stealing.
Like an election.
God does not like that.
I agree with all he said....however, I will occassionally still go to a casino....and buy lotto tickets.....
Naturally you should provide for the needs of your household first. Gambling the money you were suppose to use for paying for your kids braces is right out.
But is playing Bridge for a penny a point when you have covered all the needs and even a few luxuries wrong?
Probably not.
How ever you should pray about it. Because there are things that some people can handle and for others it is a thorny pit.
Alcohol is one of them. Some people can have a beer and stop. Others one is too many and an ocean would not be enough.
Gambling is another.
If you have a tendency to go overboard with things you probably should avoid it.
The writer alludes to the parable of the talents in Mat 25, and it is a great source here.
However, he neglects one thing about that parable. The master said to the guy who buried his portion and gave it back intact, “You did poorly. You might at least have put the money out to the bank to earn interest.” To the others the master gave commendation because they invested their portions and got a return. It doesn’t say what they invested in; but anyone who knows anything about making 500% and 200% returns on money knows that such prospects always involve risk. Usually the higher the return, the greater the risk.
They say, “It’s a crapshoot”, or certainly “It’s a gamble!” You’ve got to be very astute to get that kind of return, and some of the time you are going to lose.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” You do your diligence, then pull the trigger.
Yes. What we officially know as ‘gambling’ carries with it the connotation that “the house always wins”. But the studious player can duck in for a quick score and win more often than lose. You just can’t sit and do it for a long grind or the house will own your butt.
As for the recreational aspect, I think it falls under the auspices of Romans 14, the judging of one another based on consumption or non-consumption of meat sacrificed to idols. Paul says about that: “let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” on such matters of choice, preference, or sensibilities. Also there is “all things are lawful to me but all things are not expedient.” Things can be owned, and put to good use; but they mustn’t own you.
Agreed. With that logic, one can be forbidden from playing any kind of game, no matter what the goal of the game is.
That being said, there *is* instruction on being good stewards of our resources. Gambling is not being a good steward. It can be, though, a form of simple entertainment.
And no--I don't gamble.
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