Is Gambling A Biblical Sin

1. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Against
2. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Without
3. Is Gambling A Biblical Sin In The Bible
4. Is Gambling A Biblical Singer

• If gambling is greed, as we have claimed, then we should expect to find it associated with all kinds of sin and immorality. Matthew 7:16-19 - A tree is known by its fruits. A corrupt tree will surely produce corrupt fruits.
• Is Gambling a Sin Jump to: Topical. Library. Subtopics. Resources. Topical Bible Verses. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which.

The one time gambling is mentioned in the Bible was for an evil purpose. It was when the Roman guards gambled over Jesus’ garment at the crucifixion (John 19:23-24). The Bible has no examples of a lottery, but it does contain instances of gambling: Samson’s wager in Judges 14:12 and the soldiers’ gambling over Jesus’ garments in Mark 15:24. In neither case is gambling presented in a good light. The Bible also mentions the casting of lots for the purpose of decision making (Joshua 18:10; Nehemiah 10:34).

Gambling is one of America’s favorite pastimes, at least when those activities are measured by revenue. The billions of dollars spent by gamblers far exceeds the billions paid for movie tickets, music recordings and the sales of the top fast-food chains from McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s and Starbucks combined. Americans gamble freely. Many gamblers don’t think gambling is morally wrong. Is it appropriate for Christians to gamble according to God? We can turn to the Bible for our answers.

Many Christians wonder if gambling is a sin and what the Bible has to say about it. While casinos, lotteries, and other of today's get rich quick games aren't specifically mentioned within the Bible, God has still warned against the temptation. Most often when people gamble it is because they become addicted to the love of money.

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Against

Believers in Christ should not take part in gambling – it breaks several biblical principles which are central to a Christian’s way of life. A Christian lifestyle is one that expresses faith in loving care and provision of Almighty God, not in chance or luck. The Bible tells us, “But seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Our call as Christians is to love thy neighbor, not to profit a loss by someone else. Our call as Christians is also to avoid every form of greed and covetousness and to be content what we have. The Bible also says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” As Christians, we are to realize that everything we possess has been given in stewardship by God and should only be used in a way that honors God.

It’s important to make distinctions between what gambling is and what it isn’t. “Signing up” or registering for a free gift is not gambling. This simply puts a person in a position to receive something that is to be given away, and this is the donor’s way of selecting the recipient. However, in the case of gambling, a person is taking chances with hard-earned money.

Gambling also has major side effects which can aid in separation from God. Gambling can destroy lives in many countless ways. Gambling addictions are becoming more and more commonplace nowadays. With mega-gambling casinos throughout the world, the popularity of online gambling and poker playing, gambling problems have become a major addiction of this era. Gambling addictions and gambling addiction problems are severe addictions that have many consequences for the life of a gambler and his or her family. A gamblers addiction can progress rapidly, resulting in emotional, financial and social devastation in ways that can be considered irreparable. A person who struggles with gambling addiction should seek help immediately.

The gambling industry is also immoral. The gambling industry refers to organizations that sponsor and benefit from gambling. Those that sponsor gambling include casinos, lotteries, bingo parlors and other places where gambling is permitted. What is wrong with running such institutions and what is wrong with benefiting from gambling? Often, we are told that gambling is good because it raises money for good social causes. Because the excess money from state lotteries supports the state education system, some say that gambling is an investment in our children. Because the casinos are often willing to a pay a percentage of their earnings in local communities, which use the funds to fight crime, some argue that gambling is good because it makes a positive contribution to society and even lowers taxes. In other words, the end justifies the means and the motive excuses the act. But the true is, gambling is morally wrong.

The first reason it’s wrong is because it is motivated by greed. The goal of gambling institutions is to get lots of money quickly and they accomplish their goal well; gambling is a lucrative business. Notice that the goal of the gambling industry is not merely to get money; any businessman has that goal. Because he needs money to live. But the goal of the gambling industry is to get lots of money quickly, without providing a beneficial service or a sound product in return. It manifest covetousness, which God’s law forbids (Exodus 20:17), and the love of money, against which God’s Word also warns us. The Bible tells us, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).

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, desire and thrill of making big money over God which is idolatry.

Compulsive gamblers sin by wasting time. Gambling is for them such an addiction, that most or all of their spare time is spent gambling in one form or another. Weekends and vacations are taken up with trips to cities that have casinos. The more addicted to gambling a person becomes, the more likely he or she is to neglect their job and family and to focus exclusively on gambling. They also sin by wasting money and possessions. Any money on hand they will use in gambling. They will sell or pawn off their belongings to get more money with which to gamble. And when their resources are gone, they are likely to swindle or steal to get money.

Money and possessions are gifts from God that are to be used in His service. The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” reminds us that God gives humans enough resources to live on, in order to accomplish His purpose for us on earth. It is our call and duty as Christians to use those resources wisely, and not desire what is another’s.

“Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” (Proverbs 13:11)

What exactly is gambling?

By its very nature, gambling is risking a person’s current position or wealth against the odds in the hope of gaining a greater position or wealth. A sin is anything that harms or hinders our relationship with Christ.

Las Vegas, Atlantic City and American Indian reservations throughout the country make billions of dollars in revenue each year because of legalized gambling. However, the question remains: “Is participating in gambling a sin for Christians?” Governments can legalize products, drugs, or behaviors in the attempt to generate local revenue, but many of these measures are contrary to Christian beliefs.

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin Without

Poker, slot machines, blackjack, and craps are easily determined to be games of chance and, thus, gambling by modern American society. However, gray areas exist where in which the public find it difficult to draw the line or define.

Gambling Gray Areas

Gambling in Sports

Is Gambling A Biblical Sin In The Bible

The sports-viewing landscape has been forever changed with the popularity of fantasy sports.

If you are not already familiar, fantasy sports is an online game where the “bettor” selects virtual teams of real athletes in a professional sports event. The online teams compete based on the statistical performance of those athletes in the actual events.

The advent and nationwide acceptance of fantasy sports participation has created gambling addicts because of the ease of its participation. Additionally, fantasy sports are viewed as acceptable and even harmless because we see the advertisements on televisions, websites, and on the walls of sports arenas.

Charity Raffles

Are charity raffles gambling? Is community sponsored bingo considered gambling? These money-generating endeavors have been “legal” or “accepted” by nearly every community in the U.S. for decades. Many churches and local charities even sponsor such activities.

By a strict definition, both bingo and raffles are gambling in that both require participate to put up a sum of money in the hope by chance, he or she wins on the purchased card or raffle ticket. Many consider his/her participation as merely a “donation” to the cause and anything won as a result is just a bonus.

The believer should be in prayer before participating and consider whether the participation has any adverse financial or spiritual consequences. If the person is in doubt but truly wants to help the cause or the charity, he or she could consider making a general donation to the church or charitable purpose.

Bible Verses about Gambling

Timothy 6:17 teaches to “[c]ommand those who are rich in this world’s good not to be haughty or set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.”

Many of us may not consider ourselves “rich,” but when we have provision for all our daily needs and a relationship with Christ, we are indeed “rich” beyond measure. When we gamble our resources, we jeopardize both our current resources for daily needs and also our closeness with Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:12 teaches the believer, “[a]ll things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

Is Gambling A Biblical Singer

Even if gambling is lawful for Christians, the behavior is not expedient or helpful. In all fleshly addictions, the addict quickly becomes under the power of the substance or behavior.

Betting $5 on one hand of blackjack and winning $10 no longer results in a thrill and the gambler must bet increasingly amounts, just as the drug addict must increase his/her dosage to achieve that desired “high” the body remembered from the first usage.

If Christians can agree that God supplies all of our necessities of life, why then do we desire to risk a portion of our bounty for more?

Luke 12:15 warns us to “[t]ake heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

God is not teaching us to refrain from attempting or striving to better ourselves. However, our lustful flesh often deems monetary wealth and earthy possessions as the primary means of bettering ourselves. The Word warns in Ecclesiastes 5:1, “[h]e that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”

1 John 2:15 instructs believers to “[l]ove not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

We are to be good stewards with the blessings bestowed on us from God. The want and lust of worldly things and wealth cannot exist in the life of a Christian who sincerely loves and desires a close relationship with Jesus Christ. The striving of greater wealth at the risk of losing current wealth signifies an emphasis on an ability to purchase blessings and true joy.

Christians should be much in prayer before engaging in any endeavor which jeopardizes their current financial state.

Gambling in the Bible: What is casting lots?

The “casting of lots” is the closest example of gambling mentioned in the Bible. Many times, we will define the “casting of lots” as simply drawing straws, alluding to possibility of allowing chance to make the decision.

Casting Lots in the New Testament

Probably the most notable usage of this practice is mentioned in Acts 1:26 when the remaining disciples were to decide upon the replacement of Judas following his rather dramatic departure from the group. The scripture states, “[a]nd they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Mathias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”

One could reasonably conclude the number of possible candidates was narrowed down based upon “qualifications” prior to the ultimate decision being made by the casting of lots. Thus, any choice would have been appropriate since each candidate was qualified. There may have been a certain randomness involved in the ultimate choice, but it was not as if some random passerby could have been chosen by the use of the “casting of lots.”

Casting Lots in the Old Testament

The other notable usage of the “casting of lots” was for the identification of the sacrifices. In Leviticus 16:8, Aaron was charged with casting lots on the two goats brought forth, “one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat.” We are then informed that goat upon which the Lord’s lot fell would be offered as a sin offering, while other is to be the scapegoat for the atonement or remedy for sin. The scapegoat was to be presented alive and released into the wilderness. As with the candidates for Judas’s replacement, the two offered goats were presumably equal and suitable for their offered purpose. The usage of the choice identified after the “casting of lots” made the difference in both instances.

In true gambling, there is no possibility of manipulation after the choice is made by the bettor.

For example, when the roulette wheel begins to slow down, the casino employee will announce “no more bets” and no one is allowed to add to or change any bets already on the board. When the blackjack dealer turns over his second card, the bettor is not permitted to change his/her mind about staying on 15. Thus, even though the “casting of lots” involves chance, the determining factor or usage of the choice occurs after the selection.

Chad is a believer in Christ, attorney at law, wannabe golfer, runner, dog lover, and writer. He enjoys serving his church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and at his golf devotion par3sixteen.com. He and his wife Brandi reside in Tennessee with their canine son Alistair.

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