Is Gambling Sinful

[taylor30]

I have heard some pretty varying accounts on this one. Some I talk to say gambling is a sin, but when I ask for scripture, they are at a loss to show it. Others have said it is not a sin specifically, but because of its highly addictiveness, its better simply not to do it. Some tell me it is up to the individual. I personally know people who can walk into a casino with $100, play until its gone, and walk back out. They are not addicted, don't spend their mortgage or child support. It s clean fun and they can walk away. I can't put them in the same category as people who spend their life savings trying to hit the jackpot.

My personal opinion is that it is up to the individual. I place gambling in the same class with drinking. Not specifically sinful, but CAN lead to sin if not under control.

So, What Do You Think?

[OneLight]

I would say that form of gambling is unwise. If you consider investments, they are also a form of gambling, but we are encouraged to invest wisely. I firmly believe that as a Christian, everything I have is on loan from the Lord and is not mine. What I do with is will be brought into the light to see if I have been a good steward of what is really His.

[Matthitjah]

Stewardship is the principle you are looking for.

There is also the issue of witness.

Peace,

Dave

[taylor30]

I would say that form of gambling is unwise. If you consider investments, they are also a form of gambling, but we are encouraged to invest wisely. I firmly believe that as a Christian, everything I have is on loan from the Lord and is not mine. What I do with is will be brought into the light to see if I have been a good steward of what is really His.

That is a very good point. I never thought of stocks and bonds and such as form of gambling, but I suppose it is. I should have added the option of "the type of gambling". Great point.

[Gael]

I can defintely find better uses for the money the Lord has provided me.

[ncn]

I have lived with a lot and also with a very little.

Today, all I can say is that I own nothing and that all I have is through God's grace.

I am just a custodian on what wealth I have.

As a disabled person and a veteran;

I have a flat on the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation for disabled Veterans, its independent living but also sheltered accommodation.

My income is from benefits.

Personally, I belive I have a responsibility to use them wisely.

Gambling the money I receive would for me in my books, be wrong.

[~candice~]

Certainly those in bondage to gambling have another master, and often fail to provide for their families making them worse than an infidel. Two scriptures off the top of my head

[udx]

I think it depends on the circumstances. If the person could not afford to lose that money (be in emotional distress if the stake was lost), it is sinful. If the person is addicted to it, it is sinful.

There are variety of choices we make that could be consider gambling with varying degree of risk. For example, pursuing education is a gamble, albeit a relatively safe one. Entrepreneurs gamble their current job for something greater in the future in forming a new company.

[joi]

A couple of verses come to mind for me;

"Abstain from all appearance of evil" (I Thessalonians 5:22).

1 Corinthians 10:23

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

I lived on the Gulf Coast when casinos were voted in. I did not vote for them.

I have however spent a few dollars in them. I do not have money to blow so that did not last long,

and it did not set well with me that I had to pay for 'the fun of losing my money'.

[gdemoss]

Everything is dependent upon the definition of the word being used to describe the actions being preformed. To ask the question is Gambling sinful, is to invite much confusion as the word has a array of meaning to it. As was pointed out before, investing is gambling in one sense of the word. Giving the gospel is a gamble in another sense of the word. Gambling as a form of entertainment yet another.

I think the main issue that is necessary to consider is covetousness followed by a sincere desire not to put a stumbling block in front of our brethren. We must ask, is the purpose of our gambling rooted in self? If so are we denying our selves by doing so? How is our gambling beneficial to those who are witnessing our behavior? Is it bringing others to God? If I gamble for entertainment purposes, is my purpose in this life to entertain myself? How does my gambling glorify God? Is all risk taking gambling? Is our hope in God a gamble because it is based on faith in his character?

Peter and the 10 used casting lots so that God would show who he wanted to replace Judas with as they understood that there was no chance involved in what they were doing. The soldiers cast lots to part Jesus raiment banking on chance that they might win. What does this say to your heart? We must search ourselves diligently as well as the spirit that is within us that will guide us into all truth if we are not simply interested in deceiving our own selves as we search for the answer we want to hear and heap up teachers having itching ears.

May God reveal his truth about this matter to our hearts that we might be blameless before him in love doing only that which is pleasing in his sight and encouraging others to do the same.

Gary