Questions and Answers

What About Gambling?
By Adam Bartlett

There are many things in life that we will not be able to find direct scriptural advice on. Certain things will not be laid out clearly and specifically in the Bible. These are the times when we must look at Biblical standards and how they apply to the topic in question. What would make you think that gambling is acceptable? Would you expect Jesus or the disciples to have been gambling?

The Bible does not specifically forbid gambling, but there are several biblical principles that should make Christians hesitate to participate:

1. God presents work as the normal way to get the money we need (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; Proverbs 31). When a person cannot work, the second choice is prayer (Philippians 4: 6 & 19).
2. All my income belongs to God, not me (Psalm 42:1), and I am not free to use it as I wish. I am a steward, who should use it for God's purposes. Christians are called on to meet the needs of their family (1 Timothy 5:8), and share with others, particularly Christians who have needs (2 Corinthians 8-9;Galatians 6: 6-10; 3 John). Ask: Does God want me to use His money to buy a lottery ticket?
3. God uses money to accomplish important purposes in my life:
a. Meet basic needs (Matthew 6:11; 1 Timothy 6:8).
b. Build character (Philippians 4: 10-13)
c. Give direction, by providing or withholding resources.
d. Helping others through me.
e. Show His power by providing miraculously.
Ask: Does gambling accomplish these results? Am I looking to God or to the lottery for my needs?
4. Greed and covetousness are sin (Exodus 20:18; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 13;5), and these are motives in most gambling.
5. Proverbs warns of disaster for people who want to get rich quickly (28:20 &22).
6. Wealth that comes easily goes just as easily ( Proverbs 13:11).
7. Wealth gained the wrong way breaks up families (Proverbs 15:27).
8. Gambling can be addictive, and even if you don't fall prey to it as a compulsive habit, your example may cause others to be enslaved by it (1 Corinthians 8:10 & 13).
If there is a specific warning or commandment in Scripture dealing with a particular matter, then there is no question. Thus, murder, adultery, fornication, drunkenness, theft, etc. are always wrong; such sins as these are clearly and definitely condemned in numerous Scriptures.
When there is no specific Scriptural reference, it is good to ask, not whether a certain thing is wrong, but rather, if it is definitely good.

The Bible says, for example, to "redeem the time" (Colossians 4:5). Our few days here on earth are so short and precious, in relation to eternity, that we ought never to waste time on selfish trivia, but to use it only on that "which is good, to the use of edifying" (Ephesians 4:29).

A good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). If there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to give it up. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies. We must evaluate our actions not only in relation to God but also in relation to their effect on our family, our friends, and other people in general.

Even if a particular thing may not hurt us personally, if it harmfully influences or affects someone else, it is wrong. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak... We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Romans 14:21 & 15:1). Remember, finally, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and nothing else can be allowed to take priority over our conformity to His will.

No habit, or recreation, or ambition can be allowed to have control over our lives. Only Christ has that authority. "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1 Corinthians 6:12). "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17).

Back to Questions and Answers

Bible Headquarters