Where In The Bible Does It Say Gambling Is A Sin? - Worthy Christian Forums

The soldiers at the foot of the cross of Jesus "cast lots" for his clothing. Sounds like gambling to me, and these were evildoers! They should have given his robe to his mother. God knows everything we do and there is no "chance" with him, so taking a "chance" on buying lottery tickets just shows your lack of faith in God. Many christians may buy a lottery ticket or scratch off card now and then and not feel convicted about it - but the best way is to put your faith in God.

There is "no-where" in scripture that tells us that gambling is a sin. I said, this in the other thread that there is no sin in putting a coin into a machine but we are told that there are some miry places that we should stay far away from lest we get stuck in the mire.

Ezekiel 47:11--But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

There are marshes and miry places that will not be healed and you don't want to get stuck in the muddy or miry places cause more than likely you want get out. I think the gambling casinos is one of the miry places we could get stuck in. By saying that as I said before there is IMO no sin in putting a coin in a machine but it is better not to get caught up with in it.

Well said! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

I think the gambling "world" is sinful, not gambling per-se.

Big difference from playing some cards for quarters at your house and spending a week of wages hunched over a slot machine with glazed eyes for 12 hours. The casino environment is sinful it is "revelries" you can see that by just wandering through a casino the whole environment seems to me to be a place of darkness not for Christians.

But this is just my personal opinion I don't want to be judgmental about, there is no scripture that specifically calls out gambling.

Very cool insight!

Thank-you for sharing.

I don't believe gambling is a sin. I used to occassionally play video poker and slots at a casino I stayed at in Nevada. It was just something to do after dinner. It was hardly serious gambling. I would play $5 in nickels while I drank free coffee and watched the ball game that was being shown on the tv over the bar. Even if I hit the jackpot, it wasn't all that much because it was only playing for nickels, so I don't think you could say I was after uncertain riches, and I hardly think I was coveting anyone else's money. Not everyone that gambles has the same motives. Some are looking to hit it big. Some are just looking for something to do for entertainment. I haven't gambled in a long time, whether it be at casinos or even the lottery. From an entertainment standpoint, I got bored with it, and from an investment standpoint, the odds are so great against winning, it is a waste of money. To me, if you enjoy gambling, and have the ability to limit yourself to an amount that won't harm your budget, go for it. If on the other hand, you are someone who has no self control, stay away from it. I have seen people blow their food money trying to hit it big. It may not be sinful to gamble, but it is addictive to some people.

Agreed; gambling isn't a sin if it's just for fun. But, if it becomes an addiction, it's an idol; just like drugs, alcohol or a myriad of other things. And all idols are forbidden by the Lord.

“Wealth gained hastily perishes quickly, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Proverbs 13:11 - Though the Bible will not downright tell you "Lottery is sin," there are Bible Scriptures that do NOT encourage gambling.

Whose money is being stolen by playing lottery? The lotto player's money! How? Think about it! Do the math: You play $1 per week, that's $52/yr. How much did you win during the one-year period? $2 here and there? Who lost?

Say you hit $80, so, you made a $30 profit...Well, how much of the $30 did you NOT use to play another number? Now, you may feel lucky, and play $2/wk...and then you feel really lucky and put MORE money...By the time you know it, you're a GAMBLING-ADDICT because you feel "LUCKY" all the time...because ALL THE TIME, you are "one step closer."

How about those people who play $3/wk...That's $156/yr. For a game where you jeopardize your hard-earned money! Would you like for your boss to tell you, "I'm going to give you a salary-cut of $156/yr?" or "I'm going to cut your salary by $3!" Well, if you make NO WINNINGS for the year playing lotto or gambling, you're giving yourself a salary-cut!

Bottomline: If you believe God's Word that says "The Lord is Your Shepherd." (Ps. 23) "The Lord will supply ALL your needs..."(Phil 4:19), "Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on...Your heavenly Father knows you need them all..."(Luke 12:7) then why are you trusting on "Leprechaun Luck" and not on God, who is "Your Provider?" Trusting in getting rich or making money playing lotto is idolatry...Taking your trust away from God's tender, loving mercy and placing it in the little "white-ball of fate."

Idolatry, greed, lovers of money...who knew the little white ball could cause so much trouble? Want money? Do it God's way: WORK for it! Then, you can enjoy the fruit of your work, which is God's gift...(Ecc.15:18-19)

Hi Zotah , in Rom 14:23 says that , " whatsoever is not of FAITH is sin .

poor example, dan. playing scrabble is not an act of faith, nor is jumping rope, or going for a jog, or reading a novel, or playing fetch with fido, and yet none of those are sins. they are simply acts of entertainment. romans 14:23 is not referring to physical activities such as entertainment, it's referring to spiritual activities.