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Question: What does the Bible teach about gambling?

Time Magazine (2/25/91) reported on the rise of teenage gambling
"...of the estimated 8 million compulsive gamblers in America,
fully 1 million are teenagers." Researchers offer such explanations
as state governments promoting lotteries; also "unstable families,
low self-esteem and a societal obsession with money."

1. Gambling is defined as to play a game for money or other
stake...hence: to stake money or any other thing of value upon an
uncertain event; to hazard; wager. In gambling, a stake is involved
whereby one stands to gain at the loss of others depending upon the
outcome of some selected element of chance. People can bet on
anything; that selected element of chance may range from a state
lottery, to a presidential election, to a football game, to who is
the winner of the prize from among those who have "bought a
chance."

2. Gambling violates Biblical Principles.
     a. Some object that the word gambling does not appear in the
Bible.
     b. Violates legitimate economy. It does not involve gain by
reason of labor (Gen 2:15; 3:19; Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:10); it does
not involve exchange of equal values; it does not involve a gift
(Luke 6:38; Matt. 2:11). Also, receiving interest (Matt. 25:27).
     c. The motivation of gambling is covetousness. It seeks the
rewards of another's efforts. To covet is to long inordinately for
something that is another's. This disposition of heart is condemned
(1 Tim. 6;10; Col. 3:5).
     d. The attraction of gambling is this desire to gain without
labor or fair exchange that which belongs to someone else.
     e. Obedience to the command to love our neighbor prevents us
from gambling (Mt. 22:39; Rom. 13:9-10).
          1) Mt. 7:12: Violates the golden rule.
     f. The Christian is concerned with his influence (Mt. 5:16).
          1) These Scriptures are more than enough to show anyone
who is honest and sincere that gambling is worldly and sinful in
nature. It should be abhorred, despised and rejected.
     g. The fruit of gambling is corrupt (Mt. 7:16,18,20).
          1) A gambler robs his family (1 Tim. 5:8)
          2) The Senate Crime Investigating Committee (1950-51) as
reported by Sen. Estes Kefauver in Crime In America stated
"Gambling produces nothing and adds nothing to the economy or
society of our nation. America will be in a bad way if we ever
resort to taxing crimes and immorality for the purpose of raising
revenue to operate our institutions." Crime has greatly increased
in those cities that are known for their gambling casinos. The Reno
police department says that 75% of the embezzlement cases are
related to gambling. Suicides for gamblers are up 12-15% above the
national average.
     Gambling is injurious to the morals and welfare of the people.
It has wrecked homes and has ruined many lives. It is addictive. It
is directly connected with drinking, theft, broken homes, neglected
children and murder. George Washington said, "It is the child of
avarice, the brother of iniquity, the father of mischief." Jimmy
the Greek said, "When you put legalized gambling into a community,
you ruin the community."

3. What if gambling is legalized by the state?
     a. Murdering babies (abortion) is legal; does this make it
right? Divorce is legal, but God says it is wrong except in the
case of fornication (Mt. 19:9). Anything that is condemned by God's
word before it is legalized remains condemned after it is
legalized.
     b. What if the gambling is just for small amounts of money? As
gambling itself is wrong, the amount of the stake makes no
difference. I.e., "I know it is wrong to steal a large amount; what
about a small sum?"
     c. What if it is just for fun? A Christian does not find
entertaining those things that are sinful before God.
     d. What if it is called a "donation"? This is just a
euphemism, a word change to make what is in reality gambling more
palatable. Thinking people can see that calling gambling a donation
does not change the fact that it is still gambling.

     Because of the problems it breeds, gambling costs more to
police than it can bring in as revenue for the state.


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