Christian Views on Lottery and Gambling

Written by Father Jacob

It is amazing how many private and federal organizations are supporting gambling as a means to obtain more money to meet their budgets without raising taxes or just to increase their profits. It is more interesting that gambling is being called a “victimless” crime while the fact of the matter, as described in this article, shows that gambling is not only against God’s will but also victimizes many people, destroys many marriages, destroys many families by destroying their financial security, undermines the work ethic, increases other forms of crime, motivates suicides, and is related to a host of other social issues. It is now making an alarming penetration into the world of teenagers and children. For example, most lottery tickets are purchased by the poor, the very people who can least afford to play. They are hoping for the “lucky break” in order to “win” their way out of poverty. In Texas, the poorest 2% of the population buys 10% of the lottery tickets. The “unlucky” result does not only waste the poor money, but also adds to their frustration and their sufferings.

In addition, a 1982 Gallup Poll showed 82% of Americans favored some form of legalized gambling and over 60% have gambled in some form. The SMR Research Corporation, a New Jersey-based consumer research company, reports that there are 2.5 million compulsive gamblers in the U.S. In Minnesota alone, the number of Gamblers Anonymous groups skyrocketed from 1 to 49 as casinos opened across the state, says Ann Geer, with the National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion. In Massachusetts, statistics showed that 47 percent of seventh-graders have played the lottery. And along the Mississippi Gulf Coast there are numerous pawnshops in which desperate people exchange items for the cash they need to gamble.

In general, gambling has been around for a while. In Crete, a gambling board from about 1800 B.C. was discovered. Ancient Babylonians used headless arrows for making wagers. The Jewish Talmud excluded the gambling dice player and pigeon racer from testifying in court, since they had an unreliable reputation. Early Christians faced the problem of gambling. In the second century A.D., Tertullian wrote, “If you say you are a Christian when you are a dice player, you say what you are not, because you are a partner with the world”. Therefore, this article will elaborate on the Christian views of gambling by providing “ten commandments” to ten questions addressing gambling and its consequences:

1. What is gambling?

2. Why do people gamble?

3. Why do we condemn gambling if the Bible did not even mention it?

4. What is wrong in gaining some extra money?

5. Should Christians be involved with lotteries or other forms of gambling?

6. What are the choices when a person cannot work?

7. Does God want me to use His money to buy a lottery ticket?

8. Does gambling accomplish my needs?

9. Does gambling really hurt us?

10.Can gambling become addictive?

What is Gambling?  

Gambling is defined by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as “to play or game for money or other stake; to hazard; wager”. Connected with gambling is the strong element of uncertainty, the large chance of losing. It has been popularly defined as “getting something for nothing without rendering service or exchange of goods, and is essentially stealing and a form of robbery”. It involves taking a risk in order to obtain something for nothing and often means losing what one has and obtaining nothing.   

There is no verse that says, “Thou shall not gamble”. However, the Christian should not ask, “What’s wrong with it?” but better still, “What’s right with it?” The Christian should act to bring glory and honor to God in all he does “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Apostle John writes, “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 5:17). If the act of gambling cannot be shown to be in harmony with what is right in and of itself, then it is unrighteousness. Such is sinful because it implicitly violates Bible principles of righteous behavior. St. Paul, in condemning the works of the flesh in Galatians (5:19-21) said “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”. In this verse, he ends by listing the sweeping category of “such things”. St. Paul also tells us how mature Christians should “have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right” (Hebrews 5:14), by knowing when a specific action violates a general Bible principle.

 

Why do people gamble?  

Some people gamble because of the thrill they receive from the uncertainty connected with it. The more that this attitude pervades them, the more gambling becomes a kind of incurable disease with them. Others gamble because of their strong desire to obtain something for nothing. Others gamble because it makes an egotistic appeal to them to excel over others and win the rewards of the game. Whatever the motives and purposes are, gambling is contrary to the teachings of God’s Word and is therefore sinful.  

Gambling often takes the wages from innocent mothers and children and returns nothing. Along with gambling frequently goes cheating, and both are forms of dishonesty that St. Paul warned us against “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28).

We must recognize that the basic reason for gambling is the sinfulness of the human heart. The desire to have something more than that already possessed was evident even in the Garden of Eden. When tempted by Satan, Eve looked at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from which she and Adam were forbidden to eat, and she “saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes”. Believing the lie that this would make her like God Himself and give her wisdom, she craved the fruit of that tree, and it comes as no surprise when we read, ‘she took of its fruit and ate’ (Genesis 3: 1 – 6).

Resulting from the sinfulness, which has characterized every man since Adam’s fall, there are a number of factors that motivate people to gamble. We note three:

 

• Dissatisfaction  

Many people are discontent with their lot in life, and they long for something bigger and better and more beautiful than what their friends and neighbors have. To this end, they resort to gambling in the hope of realizing their dreams.

We must remember, however, that a desire for gain may not be bad in itself, in the same way as ambition is not necessarily selfish. In the case of the gambler, however, the form this desire takes is usually that of gaining a large profit from little input or effort. That ‘something for nothing’ mentality is certainly unchristian, as is the love of money which gambling so often induces “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6: 9,10).

 

• Depression  

It is a recognized fact that people can become depressed as a result of boredom, monotony, or frustration. Factors contributing to this may include a high level of unemployment, a monotonous and unfulfilling job, or family problems. It is often the case that, for such people, gambling can divert attention from their problems for a time and add a little bit of ‘excitement’ to their lives by thinking “What if I won the pools this week?” Whilst this is something quite prevalent in our society, it is nothing new. Many in past centuries turned to gambling to divert attention from problems and frustrations. Nowadays, however, many more forms of gambling are available to a greater variety of people.

 

• Despair  

While this applies to only a few, it is nevertheless a strong motivating factor. There are those people who, having got themselves into serious financial and personal difficulties by gambling, foolishly believe that their only hope is to have “a last try” at some form of gambling in order to get themselves out of their tragic circumstances.

A sad fact of the society in which we live is that various motivations to gambling are strengthened and reinforced rather than weakened and discouraged. Constantly and increasingly, we are bombarded, by means of advertisements on TV, and in newspapers, with the message, “Have more; you need more; others have it, you ought to have it too”. Because very few in our society are true Christians, life for the majority has no real purpose or meaning.

They foolishly believe that happiness is found in the abundance of possessions; that people are meant to eat, drink, and be merry and to live it up and have a good time “This life is all there is, so let us make the best we can of it”. Furthermore, we live in a society, which has much more money and leisure time than previous generations. We therefore have a ready-made situation for the exploitation of people who have a desire to gamble, with the result that it is now a multi-million dollars business, and most people love it and see nothing wrong with it.

 

Why do we condemn gambling if the Bible did not even mention it?

Although the word “gambling” does not appear in the Bible, the practice is clearly condemned in numerous passages of the scripture. Gambling is based on the evil desire to get money or goods, which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. The Bible calls this sin ‘covetousness’ and makes it clear that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:28-32).

Because gambling encourages the “getting something for nothing” philosophy, it also encourages laziness and indolence. God has warned us against it saying “But you are those who forsake the Lord, Who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad (literally Troop or Fortune, a pagan deity), and who furnish a drink offering for Meni (literally Number or Destiny, a pagan deity). Therefore, I will number you for the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter; because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear, but did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight”(Isaiah 65:11-12).

Men and women who set out on a career of gambling shun honest labor and become parasites. States and cities where gambling is legalized and a “big business” become mere parasites are living off the productive labor of others. Such statements as St. Paul made in Thessalonians, certainly conflict with the gambler’s ideal of living “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11). More importantly, God described Himself as continually working “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17).

Additionally, from the first day God created man, He asked him to work. When God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, He commanded him to “tend and keep” the garden, meaning to take care of it by sowing and harvesting, managing the land, trees, animals, etc. In simple word “WORK”. Adam did not need to work to earn his living for the garden was full of all the riches of the earth. God wanted him to work to keep him busy and hence cleanse his thoughts, his body, and his soul.

An interesting article on graft and corruption in New York City written by Will Oursler made the following frank statement: “Large scale gambling, traditionally the fountainhead of all crime, cannot be carried on without police knowledge and acquiescence”. When gambling flourishes the underworld is strong. Murder and government corruption are its companions as St. Paul stated “Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Therefore, St. Paul cautioned us to “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

 

What is wrong in gaining some extra money?

Note that merely taking a risk is not gambling. People say, “Life is a gamble”. No, life entails risk. Crossing the street may involve a risk, but it is not a gamble, unless you wager money with someone on it. The Bible tells us that diligence is God’s normal secondary means by which men are to acquire wealth, but gamblers seek wealth quickly through games of chance “he who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him” (Proverbs 28:19-22).

Wealth obtained through labor endures, but wealth obtained by means such as gambling is transitory. Furthermore, the Bible does not only warn against quickly obtaining wealth but also against quick gaining of large sums of money, the primary motivation for gambling “An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end” (Proverbs 20:21).

While God may well grant us material blessings (which we should be thankful for and enjoy), we are specifically told not to seek to be rich and to be content with what God has provided by means of our labor “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease” (Proverbs 23:4). St. Paul also wrote, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:6-11).

In summary, what are the Bible principles against gambling that show it wrong?  

• Gambling is Greedy

The Bible teaches against greed and covetousness. Jesus warns, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). Gambling appeals to “the love of money” (1 Timothy 6:9-10), which is the root of all sorts of evil. Covetousness [Greek, pleonexia, from pleon (more) and echo (to have)] is defined as an inordinate, insatiable desire to have more material things. Such greed is idolatry as St. Paul said “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). The gambling industry’s success depends upon the material greed of men. “A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him” (Proverbs 28:22).

• Gambling is Selfish  

Gamblers win at the direct economic loss of others. The purpose of gambling is to satisfy self at the expense of others. This is contrary to love, “Love...does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5) and “Love does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10). Gambling violates the golden rule, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (Luke. 6:31).

Gamblers violate the golden rule; they seek to do to other people what they themselves do not want the other people to do to them. A gambler may win at the loss of one who can least afford it. A disproportionate number of lottery players are the very poor, who take food out of their children’s mouths in the elusive hope of winning. One study found that the poor bet approximately three times the amount wagered by persons in middle-income and upper income areas (State Legislators Magazine, October 1981). In 1976 the Dallas Times Herald reported of a pawnshop owner who had patrons who sold their artificial limbs, in one case a glass eye, and pulled out their gold teeth with pliers to hock them for gambling money. “A Maryland study found that the poorest one-third of the state households bought half of all weekly lottery tickets.... Another study concluded that the lotteries in Connecticut and Massachusetts were equivalent to a state sales tax of over 60 percent on lower-income groups” (Christianity Today, July 10, 1987).

• Gambling is Contrary to Honest Work and Responsible Stewardship

“Gambling violates the principle of fair return for labor and investment, and the ethics of stewardship and work” (D. N. Peel, Encyclopedia of Biblical & Christian Ethics, p. 165). God commanded man to work for a living in honest labor that is morally good and productive: “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Genesis 2:15), “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13), and “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

• Gambling is Stealing By Mutual Consent

Stealing is taking that which belongs to another. W. E. Bierderwolf observed, “Gambling bears the same relationship to robbery that dueling does to murder. One man will meet another in a dark alley and take his life at the end of a pistol, and you call it murder; two men will meet each other in an alley and agree to shoot each other until one or both fall dead, and you call it dueling. But the only difference is that in the first case there is one murderer, and in the second case there are [potentially] two. One man will meet another in a dark alley and take his money at the end of a pistol and you call it robbery; two men will meet each other round a table and agree to take each other’s money with dice or cards, and you call it gambling. But the only difference is that in the first case there is only one robber and in the second case there are two” (quoted in Christianity Magazine, September 1990, p. 10). “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6).

• Gambling is Associated with Worldliness

Christians are to “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17) and “to abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). We should be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15). Gambling has a dishonorable track record, and it is often associated with the worst evil elements in society. It is not above reproach. Jesus taught us “every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17). If the fruit is bad, then the root must be bad.

Nevada legalized all types of gambling in 1931. Since then, Nevada has one of the highest crime rates per capita of any state in the U.S. Las Vegas has one of the highest murder rate per capita of any city in the U.S. Also, U.S. News & World Report in 1983 reported, “Since the advent of gambling in 1978, the crime rate per capita in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area has tripled”. Professor George Sternlieb, director of urban policy research at Rutgers University, did a comprehensive report on the impact of legalized gambling in Atlantic City from 1978 to 1984. He states, “Atlantic City is now the murder and crime capital of the Northeastern United States. And the crime rate keeps soaring”.

In 1985 the President’s Commission On Organized Crime state, “Gambling is second only to drug smuggling as a source of income...gambling provides organized crime with the money it needs to flourish”. George Washington said “gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of indignity, the father of mischief”. For the Christian “to be above reproach” (Colossians 1:22), we must stay clear of the worldly practice of gambling.

 

Should Christians be involved with lotteries or other forms of gambling?  

There are several biblical principles that should make Christians refuse to participate in lotteries or any form of gambling. For example, God presents work as the normal way to get the money we need “Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (2 Thessalonians 3:12).

Additionally, all our income belongs to God, not us, and we are not free to use it as we wish. We are stewards, who should use it for God’s purposes (church, helping others, family, etc.), “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

Of course, there are people, including state leaders, who would argue that gambling is a good thing because it provides entertainment, creates jobs, and funds education in some states. They also might argue that other things, like fried foods and credit, are harmful when used excessively, and they would be right.

Therefore, should Christians gamble if they do so in moderation?

Although it is easy to argue against gambling from a purely secular standpoint, the primary argument against Christians gambling is spiritual. To entice someone to gain money at the certain loss of another violates virtually every principle taught by Christ. As discussed above, it breeds selfishness, greed, and covetousness and, in fact, promotes them, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Any get-rich-quick scheme is developed to entrap the weak and especially the poor. After all, what does a wealthy man need with a get-rich-quick scheme? Gambling is an almost irresistible enticement to people who want to meet the needs and desires of their families but find that they cannot. So, regardless of how socially acceptable gambling has become, it is still preying on the weaknesses of others. This runs counter to the Scriptures, which encourage us to help the weak and seek good for all men. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15).

Many Christians are guilty of supporting lotteries, bingo, racing, and so forth under the assumption that gambling really doesn’t hurt anyone. That’s exactly what Satan would have us to believe. We pass our value system along to those around us--first, to our own families, then to our friends and neighbors. If our value system is no better than the world’s in which we live, then truly we have been conformed to the image of this world.

If true Christians cannot go to a casino to drink for the glory of God, they surely can’t go there to glorify God by pulling the lever on a slot machine. Christians may argue that they should be able to do what they want once in a while, even if it doesn’t glorify God, but that is not true. The primary work of the Christian on this earth is to glorify God and no one can glorify God by gambling. Listen to what St. Paul says in this regard “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:31-33). Every thing you do should glorify God. You can go to work at an honorable profession and glorify God. This is true if your job is sweeping floors, digging ditches, or running a large company. But, a Christian cannot go to a casino and eat for the glory of God, much less go there and gamble for His glory.

 

What are the choices when a person cannot work?

When a person cannot work, the choice is prayer “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…and my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-19). We should trust in the sovereign providence of our heavenly Father, as we serve Him foremost and work honestly to supply our “daily bread”. He told us “do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:11,31-33), “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10), and “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

In addition, let us not forget that Christians are called on to meet the needs of their family, and share with others, particularly Christians who have needs “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:6-10) and “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 1:5-8).

The Lord Himself has set up the example for us “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

 

       Does God want us to use His money to buy a lottery ticket? 

Most people who gamble lose money or the casinos could not continue to operate. When a person goes to a casino he is almost certain to lose. The winners are few compared to the losers. The Bible teaches that we are responsible to be good stewards of 100% of what God puts in our care, not just our tithes and offerings.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them’. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’. He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them’. His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’. Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours’. But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:14-30).

The man who was given five had to account for five and what he had earned. There are those who feel that as long as they give their tithe, they are free to do as they will with the rest of their income. This man was given five talents and he had to give an account for the five and show what he had done with them ALL. The man with two talents had to account for two plus what he had earned. He was not responsible for only a tenth. He was responsible for the entire amount. God gives us all that we have and we are responsible to him for every thing He gives us.

The man who was given one still had it, but had not added to it, and he was an unprofitable servant worthy of punishment. I wonder what would have happened if he had said, “I lost it gambling”. Does anyone believe he would have been counted a good steward if he had lost it gambling?

We shall all stand before Christ one day and give an account for all that God has given us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). I can see someone say, “Lord, I always gave my tithe. I thought that was all that mattered”. The Lord will surely ask about the other 90% and how it was handled. It will do no good to try and cover up for he who knows all is fully aware of where every penny went and you will be asked to explain.

Let us not forget that all material goods on earth ultimately belong to God “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalms 24:1), “For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalms 50:10), “The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them” (Psalms 89:11), “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions” (Psalms 104:24). It is also written, “for the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness” (1 Corinthians 10:26).

We should use and enjoy them as a grateful steward “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:3-5), “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19), “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12), and “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago” (2 Corinthians 8:8-10).

A responsible steward must faithfully use what has been discharged to his trust, “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?” (Luke 12:42) and “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). The prodigal son foolishly squandered his inheritance (Luke 15:13). Throwing hard-earned money away on the contrived, artificial chance of gambling is a foolish use of our material prosperity; it is not responsible stewardship “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding” (Proverbs 12:11).

 

Does gambling accomplish our needs?  

Absolutely not! Our discussion above showed that motives in most gambling are greed and covetousness, which the Bible warns against “…for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:5,6).

St. Paul assures this warning “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1 Timothy 6:9) and “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

God has likened the person who doesn’t work and considers gambling as the means to accomplish his needs by the foolish man who built his house on the sand “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:26-27).

 

Does gambling really hurt us?

In certain instances, it might be claimed that the results of gambling are good and beneficial. For example, there are times when the proceeds of gambling go to help a ‘good’ cause. Charities organize raffles to augment their funds, as do some churches. In some countries lotteries are held to provide money for social amenities. In the seventeenth century, London’s metropolitan water supply and the first Westminster Bridge were financed by sales of lottery tickets. More recently, the enormous debt incurred by the building of Sydney’s imaginative Opera House was an embarrassment to the whole community, yet it was cleared in a matter of days by means of a lottery.

There is a deeply held conviction that ‘good luck’ and ‘the big win’ are just around the corner, that the right system will soon be found, that a larger capital investment is the answer, and that in the end ‘I will be able to prove it’. Sadly this is a dream world in which win or lose, the stakes spiral upwards and life spirals downwards. God has warned us of the dreams of winning what is not ours and of the disasters awaiting those who want to get rich quickly “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him” (Proverbs 28:20-22). The Bible has also warned us that the wealth that comes easily goes just as easily “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” (Proverbs 13:11).

Finally, wealth gained the wrong way breaks up families. Family arguments lead to impaired relationships and marital breakdown. Friends and jobs may be lost. Suicide attempts may lead to psychiatric treatment, and criminal activities may lead to court and prison. The gambler’s whole lifestyle is inevitably affected, and standards of living are reduced, even if covered by an appearance of success and affluence “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live” (Proverbs 15:27).

Therefore, getting our wealth from our own work makes us fruitful and God will purify and bless our fruits. He has therefore warned us saying “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). See also “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree, which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10).

 

Can gambling become addictive? 

Yes, gambling can become 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 “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Corinthians 8:9-13). 

The Christian exercises “self-control in all things” (1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23). The Christian is to shun anything so dangerous, to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). The Christian should not even bet on little bets “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough” (Proverbs 28:19).

Gambling leaves in its wake a diversion of funds from righteous financial transactions to corrupt uses, an increase of crime and corruption, a group of men who are “addicted” (dominated by their sinful actions) and a growing number of broken families “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7) and “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Romans 6:12).

In conclusion, gambling is and has always been a losing bid with an unexpected or unpredicted outcome. The argument that the end justifies the means, meaning for example that gambling may give you the opportunity to improve your standard of living, is not new. It has been the rallying cry of every tyrant throughout history. However, when it is used as a means of justifying the sin of gambling by those who claim to represent God’s work or tries to twist God’s words, it becomes a double tragedy. Finally, remember the Bible’s teaching “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said: It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

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