A simple game can become a sin when it takes over our minds and hearts and leads us down a road of never being satisfied.
Study the following Bible verses about gambling and see why God encourages us to stay away from it. Shoebox Collection Week is Here! Plus Toggle navigation. Password Assistance. Email address. Is Gambling A Sin. Share Tweet Save. Acts Chapter Parallel Compare.
Deuteronomy Ecclesiastes This too is meaningless. Ephesians With that in mind, consider to whom the rich man's wealth will go? As you know, some churches use bingo and lotteries as a means of raising money for charitable purposes. Matthew says, "by their fruits you shall know them. What are the fruits of gambling?
Revenue and jobs are two arguments frequently advanced in favor of gambling and the lottery. Yet, when Tom Dewey was governor, he addressed the NY legislature as follows: "the entire history of legalized gambling in this country and abroad shows that it has brought nothing but poverty, crime, and corruption, demoralization of moral and ethical standards, and ultimately a lower living standard and misery for all the people.
A guiding principle to consider is that both one's time and money belong to God. Consider the parable of the talents where the owner gave one servant five talents, another three and the last got one. The last man hid his talent in the earth. The owner rebuked him. How much sterner might have been the reproof if he had gambled it away? If your time and money were your own, we could say, "gamble all you please, it's your own business.
The Bible adds that thieves will not get to heaven. This is an interesting statement: "One has 1 chance in 10 million of winning the state lottery in California. Whereas, if you leave home and drive just a few blocks, your chance of a fatal car accident are 1 in 1 million. Another interesting bit of information: Governor Washburn of Wisconsin in his annual message of January 9, , declared, "Some law seems to be required to break up the schools where gamblers are made. The Bible doesn't directly address gambling and such silence provides the fertile ground for discussion and disagreement.
Opinions on the propriety of gambling range from acceptance in moderation to total abstinence. Kerby Anderson, author, lecturer and adjunct professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, is in the latter camp and discerns guidance by contrasting the cornerstone principles of the Scriptures with those associated with gambling. Here are Bible verses that speak toward the heart and attitude behind gambling:. The Bible admonishes us to work creatively and for the benefit of others Eph.
The Bible condemns materialism Matt. Anderson cites two particular passages from the writings of the apostle Paul that give instruction regarding the work ethic of a Christian.
In Colossians Paul said, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Proverbs - Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.
You cannot serve God and money. Ecclesiastes - He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. In 2 Thessalonians ,10, Paul wrote, "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat.
Scripture specifically approves of at least three ways to obtain goods or money. Working to earn money, 2 obtaining goods through exchange or barter, 3 and receiving lifetime gifts or inheritance at death 4 are all expressly acceptable ways to increase your wealth or possessions.
Conversely, the Scriptures condemn obtaining anything by cheating, stealing or lying, and further condemns the desire of obtaining what belongs to others. Beyond the Scriptural issues, Anderson and others reject gambling as bad social and governmental policy as well. Societal ills such as gambling addictions, excessive debt, neglected families are cited as prime examples of why, in addition to Biblical direction, gambling should be considered immoral. Ronald A.
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