Many people in the society today engage in gambling, and most of those that involve in it justify it. Many gamblers lose money, huge amounts of it on daily basis. Many people has condemned gambling as a vice which destroys the moral fabric of the society. Even among Christians, this topic of gambling is a very controversial issue. But what exactly does the Bible say about gambling, or does the Bible even say anything about it at all?
There is not place in the Bible with a clear reference to gambling. But there are scriptures that allude to it indirectly. Let us look at some of those scriptures below, if it is possible, read through all the scriptures. The Bible scriptures are:
Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth [gotten] by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
1 Timothy 6:10 - 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.
Hebrews 13:5 - [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 - But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (Read More...)
Matthew 6:24 - No man 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.
1 Timothy 6:9 - But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Luke 12:15 - And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Ephesians 4:28 - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (Read More...)
Proverbs 28:22 - He that hasteth to be rich [hath] an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 6:12 - All 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.
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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Most of the Bible scriptures above talk mostly about the covetous attitude that comes with gambling. The scriptures condemn covetousness, and we all know that gambling can make someone covetous. And also more importantly, gambling is the source of many societal vices. It is like drugs and alcohol, it is addictive. Gambling also drains the finances of those that engage in it. So does all these make gambling a sin?
I am not a gambler, I have never gambled, but I would readily dissuade any person from engaging in gambling.
It is not the prediction aspect that makes it a societal vice, but the uncontrollable emotions that accompany it and it is ability to make people want to get anything at whatever cost. I would advice any gambler to stay away.
Many people, married men, gamble away the money required for the welfare of their family. Recently the media carried the news of a man who was arrested for gambling away Covid-19 relief funds. Gambling is like a spirit, once you have begun it it would be almost impossible to stop.
So I would condemn gambling for the evil that accompany it. And you would agree with me that society would be a much better place without it. You can use the money you should used to gamble to do something that will change your life.
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