Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin

Gambling is big business for some cities, and for a good reason: People spend lots of money trying to get rich quickly. Unfortunately, most people tend to get poorer instead of richer when gambling. But an interesting question can often arise in the minds of people trying to do God’s will: Is gambling sinful? Is it a sin to gamble or place bets? Should Christians gamble? What does the Bible say about gambling?

Bible verses related to Is Gambling A Sin from the King James Version (KJV) by Book Order - Sort By Relevance Luke 16:13 - No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin £10 min deposit. £5 max bet using bonus. 40 x wagering applies. Bonus valid for 14 days. 30 Spins on Starburst games will be credited Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin instantly + then 30 per day for 9 days. Free Spins valid for 72 hours from credit. In the Old Testament, God specifically warned about the spirit behind gambling when He said, 'But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in ' (Isaiah 65:11-12). Other Reasons Why Gambling is a Sin. The Motivation –What is your reasoning for wanting to gamble? Is it to get rich quick? The Bible commands we should labor and earn wealth honestly–not by some luck of the draw. Being a compulsive gambler is certainly just as sinful as being a drunk, drug addict, or being greedy. Although the word 'gambling' does not appear in the Bible, the practice is clearly condemned in numerous passages of scripture. Gambling is based on the evil desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange.

Is It a Sin to Gamble or Place Bets? What Does the Bible Say?

First, the word “gambling” is not actually listed in the Bible. This is because gambling wasn’t as big as it was today, and there certainly weren’t big casinos with neat machines and fancy playing cards. I mean, can you imagine someone playing poker with a stack of clay tablets or parchment paper?

But just because something isn’t listed in the Bible by a specific name (or because it didn’t exist as largely as it does today), doesn’t mean it is perfectly fine to do (hence, many drugs would be a great example as it is obviously wrong but the Bible never mentions many of today’s “drugs” by name).

While the Bible does not mention gambling, it does mention “casting lots,” which is somewhat similar to gambling (it is like drawing straws or flipping a coin). People in the Bible are often recorded as “casting lots” in order to make a decision. This isn’t necessarily condemned in the Bible (although it is associated with a few very bad events such as the crucifixion of Christ).

Here are a few verses regarding casting lots:

Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Jonah 1:7
And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

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Luke 1:9
According to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Matthew 27:35
And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

So it is quite clear that this was used by many (even Godly men) to make decisions, much like you may flip a coin for a simple decision of what you want for lunch today. But again, this is different than going to a casino or waging huge bets. Casting lots is primarily a method for decision making, whereas gambling is an attempt to build rapid wealth at the expense of others. So there are clearly important distinctions to be made between gambling and casting lots.

By the way, the interesting thing about casting lots is that regardless of what you choose, God’s sovereign will always override it anyway in the future.

One of the biggest problems with gambling is this: It’s win-lose. True wealth building should be win-win, not win-lose. In gambling, millions have to lose for one to ultimately win. This is not God’s design. God wants win-win. When a person creates a product, another person buys it. The customer gains something (the product), and the seller gains something (income). It’s win-win. In gambling, it’s the opposite. It’s win-lose. Millions will lose, only one (or a few) will win.

Scriptural Warnings of Rapid Wealth Gain

The scriptures have serious warnings about money, and the improper use or attainment of it. Here are some quotes from the scripture about money that relate with gambling:

Scripture on gambling being a sin

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Proverbs 13:11

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

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Other Reasons Why Gambling is a Sin

Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin
  1. The Motivation–What is your reasoning for wanting to gamble? Is it to get rich quick? The Bible commands we should labor and earn wealth honestly–not by some luck of the draw. Being a compulsive gambler is certainly just as sinful as being a drunk, drug addict, or being greedy. If you gamble to get rich, you may be loving money more than God (a sin).
  2. The Context–Where will you be gambling? In a casino filled with women in skimpy clothing with lots of alcohol, prostitution, smoking, swearing, and so forth? If so, we can all agree that this is no place for a Godly person to hang out.
  3. The Amount–Are you gambling away your child’s college fund, your 401K savings account, your house, or other valuable items? Sadly, many people have gone bankrupt do to the sin of gambling, when they could have otherwise thrived financially.
  4. The Frequency–Do you find yourself wanting to place a wager daily, or even weekly? Do you make a trip to a casino every month, or bet on every big sports game? If so, you may be addicted to gambling (a very serious problem). In this case, you should avoid all gambling just like an alcoholic should avoid all alcohol.
  5. What if You Win?–What will you do if you win money or other valuables? What will you do? Is your goal to get rich and retire? To covet other people’s possessions so you don’t have to work? If so, this is sinful. What would you do with any winnings? Would you manage them properly and do good, or evil? Would they be spent on Godly purposes? Or just excessive luxuries such as gold fountains in your house?

Conclusion: Gambling Is a Sin

Do you know the best way to never be an alcoholic? Never take the first drink. Do you know the best way to avoid the sin gambling, or the risk of becoming addicted to gambling? Never gamble in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with flipping a coin to decide what to eat for lunch, as this is similar to casting lots. But when people gamble in a haste to have rapid wealth, it is sin. People have lost homes, been killed, and much more all over gambling.

The Bible clearly teaches that wealth should be gained from honest labor, not at the expense of losers in the context of gambling. Though gambling may seem innocent, Christians should avoid the temptation to do so.

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Scripture On Gambling Being A Single

Most Relevant Verses

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'>Proverbs 13:11

Wealth obtained by fraud dwindles,
But the one who gathers by labor increases it.

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'>Matthew 27:35

And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.

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Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin

'>Mark 15:24

And they *crucified Him, and *divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take.

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'>Luke 23:34

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

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'>Psalm 22:18

They divide my garments among them,
And for my clothing they cast lots.

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'>John 19:24

So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be”; this was to fulfill the Scripture: “Theydivided My outer garments among them, and for My clothing they castlots.”

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'>Job 6:27

“You would even cast lots for the orphans
And barter over your friend.

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'>1 Timothy 6:9

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

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Scripture On Gambling Being A Sinner

'>1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

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