Question from a friend of WordTruth Ministries:

WordTruth.Com Response:

Gambling is a subject on which you will find a wide variety of opinions. The reason for this is simple: the Bible does not speak directly to the issue. You will not find a "Thou shalt gamble..." or "Thou shalt not gamble" in Scripture.  Many sincere Christians come down on different sides of this issue.  They read the same Scripture but arrive at different conclusions:  sometimes due to personal bias or upbringing, sometimes due to a lack of study, sometimes due to different priorities of different parts of Scripture.  So I will provide for you my understanding of this issue from Scripture.

The closest we get to modern-day gambling would be the time when Jesus was hanging on the cross. The Roman soldiers cast lots (much like our dice today) to determine who would get His undergarment. It is neither condemned nor commended. Interestingly, it is an event that was predicted hundreds of years earlier:

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did. (John 19:23-24, NIV)

A similar but radically different situation comes to mind with the Levitical priests. Lots, called Urim and Thummim, were used by the Levitical priests determine God's will in a specific situation (Exodus 28:29-30; Numbers 27:21). This casting of lots was bathed in prayer and commanded by God specifically for the priests to use. So this was a sacred ritual that is not at all the same as what we call gambling.

Where there is no direct command for the Christian, we must look for biblical principles that relate to the issue.  So, what then are the principles that should guide us in understanding a biblical view of gambling?

Always go to the most important commandment first: Love the LORD with everything you've got and love others in the same way (Matthew 22:36-40). If gambling interferes with your love for the LORD or for your family & friends, then you should avoid it. This same principle would apply to playing sports or any hobby - if it becomes more important to you in terms spending too much of your time, treasure, and energy then you should avoid it.

Next we should consider the importance of self-control.  This is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) resulting from a consistent walk with the LORD Jesus.  Gambling can tempt a person toward greed and excess.  As a Christian, we have been freed from the power (Romans 8:1-4) and penalty (1 Peter 3:18) of sin.  Yet, the Bible also teaches us:

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12, NIV)

You must be in control of your money and not let it control you:

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. (Matthew 6:24, NIV)

The next principle would have to be about money. Gambling is used by some to gain wealth. Others use gambling for entertainment because they are already wealthy. The Bible is very clear on how we should view money:

1. God owns it all - He created the whole universe and all life on Earth (Genesis 1:1,27). Therefore it all belongs to Him. Whatever we have is what God has enabled us to earn and allowed us to keep. We are stewards of all that God entrusts to us.

2. Money is not something to be desired to the exclusion of the important things in life:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:6-11, NIV).

3. Money should be used to support your family and help others. There is a stewardship involved in all that God provides to you. This is a very common area where gambling can become problematic.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8, NIV)

2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. (2 Corinthians 8:2-5, NIV)

Based on these principles gambling (as an occasional recreational entertainment) should not be a problem. We spend money on the movies, sports events, concerts and many other forms of entertainment. Issues arise when gambling leads to excess - loss of income and ability to support yourself and your family - that it becomes sinful. It can also be an issue when it becomes an obsession to gain instant wealth (Proverbs 13:11). 

Finally, if you are concerned about gambling being a sin, then for you personally you should not gamble. It is a matter of conscience in this case (probably because of your upbringing). If you think it is OK but others around you think it is a sin, you need to be careful not to rub their faces in it. As the Bible says:

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22-23, NIV, emphasis mine)

I hope you will study these principles and the Scripture behind them. Trust in the LORD Jesus and be willing to follow Him wherever He leads on this issue (Proverbs 3:5-6). This will keep you on the right track.

May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Jesus!

Rev. Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries