Betting on sports

Paul tells us that even in something as mundane as eating food, it has to be done in faith.


So if your betting cannot be done in faith; it is a sin; even if gambling itself is not. A key word there is "doubts." By doing something you doubt, you sin; even if it is a direct command to do that thing.

I know the Wesleyan Holiness movement said any form of gambling and betting was a sin (along with a host of other things that were meaningless); and that idea spread to other denoms including the Baptists.

If you do a bible study on betting (casting lots) you will have your answer whether it is scripturally prohibited.

In my estimation gambling in any form is sinful.

To be clear, I did not always believe this. It came as a by product of other work the Lord has done in me. It has happened over time that I have become convicted about certain things that didn't use to bother me. Music is probably a good example. My favorite secular band has always been Van Halen. Loved it from the moment I heard it. I wore out tapes and bought new ones and wore those out too.

Imagine my shock when one day I listened to some old Van Halen and found some of the lyrics to be offensive. I never used to. The music didn't change...the Lord has changed me.

The way that began was with a question in the back of my mind that grew with study and prayer. "Is this sinful?"
That seems to be where you are now. I would count it as a blessing from the Lord.

I'm betting many will say that it's sinful!

There may be some "show me in the Bible" individuals who say that since it doesn't say it in the Bible, it's not a sin, but while gambling in and of itself is not mentioned in the Bible, it is predicated on the love of money, which IS a sin.

Espy said:

Is it sinful? I know what God says about money but I don't gamble a bunch of money.

During football season I'll usually just put a small bet in to make things more fun, like $5.. usually no more than $20. I don't sit there at the slot machines gambling away my life savings or anything. I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

Is it sinful?

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Espy said:

Is it sinful? I know what God says about money but I don't gamble a bunch of money.

During football season I'll usually just put a small bet in to make things more fun, like $5.. usually no more than $20. I don't sit there at the slot machines gambling away my life savings or anything. I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

Is it sinful?

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Well...The scriptures state that "the love of money is the root of all evil" some interpret that as meaning poverty is the preferred state of humanity. Others, would say "Wealth, and the finer things in life are not forbidden as long as they do not become idols" Another vein of thought is the the "all things in moderation argument" are two lottery tickets a week ($3.00) a sin? Is one Jack n' Coke a day a sin? or a cigar on Sunday while grilling out?...not in every case, but gambling is about the love of money, and unless a person could make an honest heartfelt case that it's not, then it's sinful.

Espy said:

Is it sinful? I know what God says about money but I don't gamble a bunch of money.

During football season I'll usually just put a small bet in to make things more fun, like $5.. usually no more than $20. I don't sit there at the slot machines gambling away my life savings or anything. I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

Is it sinful?

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Yes, it is sinful.

Thousands, or tens of thousands of families are made mal-nourised, homeless, lose jobs and cars and trucks and more, even their lives, because of gambling every day.

timewerx said:

I'm betting many will say that it's sinful!

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It hurts people, including little children. It hurts the very ones who do the gambling, and the ones who run the gambling are even more guilty probably.
But multitudes are deceived by it, just like with alcohol, gambling with their lives,
and multitudes will lose their souls and their lives on earth......
but multitudes will continue promoting gambling because of sinful desires and wants,
no matter who it hurts.

Espy said:

Is it sinful? I know what God says about money but I don't gamble a bunch of money.

During football season I'll usually just put a small bet in to make things more fun, like $5.. usually no more than $20. I don't sit there at the slot machines gambling away my life savings or anything. I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

Is it sinful?

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Based upon what you said here, I think you're fine to do it (gasp)! I play Poker every Wednesday evening with a group of men and the buy-in is $20. We play for about 3 hours, and people can buy back in whenever they want, then when the game ends we all cash out.

Why don't I have a problem with that? Simple, for me, it's a form of entertainment. I don't play to make money, I don't play because I need money. The money I potentially spend is not resulting in my inability to support my family.

From my perspective, it's no different than going to a movie with friends - except in this setting we get to socialize more! Heck, I've been to 5 Braves games this season so far, and each one of those is far more expensive than an evening of Poker with friends.

It really is a heart and motives issue.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

How Does Gambling Glorify God?

Espy said:

Is it sinful? I know what God says about money but I don't gamble a bunch of money.

During football season I'll usually just put a small bet in to make things more fun, like $5.. usually no more than $20. I don't sit there at the slot machines gambling away my life savings or anything. I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

Is it sinful?

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A small bet of $5 going rapidly up to$20 and up from there to ??????

Gambling is addictive.

The Christian is to work to support himself, his family and to have something to share with those in need.

You enjoy the football, so enjoy it, don't bet onit.

Tolworth John said:

You enjoy the football, so enjoy it, don't bet onit.

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What if betting responsibly on it increases the enjoyment? Just like buying a drink and popcorn at a movie increases the enjoyment.

I still think my reply #9 is spot on.

Addictions ruin people's lives and so they are self-evidently not good. Betting a little money on a football game with your friends sounds like a good thing. Like with most things we must understand the kind of spirit behind it.

My thoughts on gambling are this. I see folks spend hundreds or thousands on a vacation. I like to go to a casino once in a great while and spend much less. It is our recreation since hubby can no longer travel far. Not saying I have the right answer. This is just a thought I've had. Perhaps I'm simply trying to justify my evil. I dunno.

Espy said:

I haven't done it yet this season because I'm not sure if it would be sinful or not

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This can mean God is not making you satisfied to do it because He does not want you to do it.

But, also > what else is involved? Yes, there is the issue of if your gambling is out of greed, and you indicate you do it only for fun, not seriously in order to get rich. And it is wise to be satisfied with what we have >

"be content with such things as we have," we have in Hebrews 13:5.

Also >

"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)

I notice here how it does not say "the rich" get into such trouble, but "those who desire to be rich" get in trouble. All you have to do is have the desire, and already . . . big mistake > possibly it is like how Jesus says that if we look the wrong way at a woman we have already done it. The evil spirit of just the desire will mess you up, no matter how much or little you have.

But possibly you do not desire to be rich, but still God is not approving what you do. God does personally guides us in His own peace, to do whatsoever He really desires to share with us. So, in case you are gambling but not seeking wealth, still it can be a way of having your attention away from personally submitting to God in His peace, and discovering all He desires to do with you >

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

I will offer > submitting to God in His peace is much more interesting and challenging than betting

And sports betting could be part of a package deal of other activity which has your attention not where God wants.

I don’t gamble. If I went to an event (i.e. horse racing) I may place a bet. But it isn’t something I’d do otherwise.

While I have no personal issue with gambling, I don’t date men who do. Its a slippery slope I have no interest in.

Gambling is bad stewardship of what God has given us. It's not even stewardship at all.

• Psalms 24:1 The Earth is the Lord's and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.

Everything is God's. Everything in the whole universe belongs to God. It doesn't belong to us; it belongs to Him. And it all is to be used for His glory.

I enjoy gambling and have received God's warnings about it. I don't gamble what I can't afford to lose anymore. However, I have done so when I was younger and I lost. That was sinful and I had to repent which wasn't easy. It's the "love of money" that is sinful. One needs to stay away from that ++++++++ (crosses to keep it away)

ETA: Neither praying to win the lotto or selling one's soul to win the lotto helps you do that. It's purely blind luck. Satan will not help you win by losing your soul (it's a treacherous lie!) or else hell would be overflowing.

Dave-W said:

I know the Wesleyan Holiness movement said any form of gambling and betting was a sin (along with a host of other things that were meaningless); and that idea spread to other denoms including the Baptists.

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Does that include making a Michigan fan wear an Ohio State jersey or vice versa after The Game? That is what a former coworker who likes the Wolverines did after the Buckeyes won.

I am sure gambling some money on a team is a sin.