Gambling

[WrightWife]

I'm going to Las Vegas for a conference next month and it's caused me to think why some Christian's say gambling is wrong. I've never "gambled" before, and I really don't have a desire to....but it's casued me to wonder why I some see it as a sin. Please respond with bible verses and not rhetoric. I'm looking for scripture based evidence that gambling is wrong.

 

[charligirl]

I believe it has to do with the fact that the bible says that The Lord is our provider, ultimately all our money belongs to Him and by trying to increase our wealth by betting on a game of chance we are not honouring God as the one who provides all our needs according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus)

 

[Autumnleaf]

Not sure if its mentioned in the Bible. Although I've read in the paper prostitution is on the rise across the river since they opened a couple casinos there.

 

[HeatherJay]

Just so ya know, I don't think this discussion is allowed in here. Gambling is one of the 'restricted' topics that can only be discusssed in certain forums.

That said, I think it's a highly subjective thing. My hubby and I love to play poker. We play both penny poker with our families and we also play online. I don't feel that it's a sin. But I do see how it can become an addiction, and I do see the wrong in that.

The two things I see that the Bible does speak about that could be related to gambling is being a good steward of your money, and the problem with possible addiction.

But, yeah, this thread should probably be moved to one of the appropriate forums.

 

[Oblivious]

Nowhere in the Bible goes it directly state that gambling is wrong. Like anything (food, gambling, etc.) when it is done in excess and becomes an obsession and addiction, that is when I personally would consider it to be sinful. I personally don't think popping a $5.00 bill into a slot machine is any worse than trading stocks on the stock market (neither of which BTW I think is wrong).

Just my usual $.02...

 

[WrightWife]

Thanx so much guys.

Maybe I should have been more specific as to why I posted this here. My husband and I have discussed this subject bc I'm going to Vegas on business not pleasure. They have us staying at a casino hotel and it made us wonder if that would be synonomous with staying at say, a brothel with great rooms.

I'm not looking for debate, just biblical sources for gambling being a sin.

 

[Leanna]

I get the impression you don't really care to hear this, but I'll give you a few quotes and then why I think going to a Las Vegas casino is wrong.

Proverbs 13:11
"Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow."

The parable beginning in Matthew 25:14
"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' "

Talents are actually money coins.

Anyway I think the Bible discusses a lot how we are to be careful and thoughtful with our money, and gambling is not careful or thoughtful. Yet another reason to avoid it-- its addictive. Another reason to avoid it-- you are basically taking the bread from little children's mouths. To me it is as bad as supporting the porn industry. A lot of people go there and spend more money than they should, some people will even take their entire paycheck and then bring home nothing for their family. When you win money you are essentially taking that money.

I know that people who enjoy bringing their little sum of money and gamble it away will be mad at me, but I don't care. People who are aiming to get cloesr to Jesus don't then go and visit a casino and support that.

 

[Linnis]

We don't gamble. I've been against it for a while and DH didn't really care one way or another, after I explained to him *why* I'm against he's agreed it's wrong and it's not a part of our lives.

 

[WrightWife]

Leanna, thanks for that explaination. I appreciate your POV and found it very intriguing.

 

[Whitestone]

I work at a casino, and I have seen alot of our brethren frequent the establishment I work for. Some do not seem to be as upright Christians as I would feel comfortable calling brethren, but that is not for me to judge. Others seem very strong in their walk with the Lord, and gamble because it is something they enjoy.

The Lord has blessed them and this is the form of entertainment they chose.

Gambling is like any other addictive activity, if you are not sure that you would be able to stop then I would suggest not trying it.

 

[WrightWife]

Whitestone - thanks for your input. Your point about it being entertainment is a good one.

DH and I begun to discuss how other forms of betting (lottery, innocent game or business bets etc) and how, other than you must partcipate to possibly win, most Christians make informal or formal bets all the time.

I guess, this issue goes along with drinking alcohol and dancing (as once thought by some Christians) in that done inexcess or with the wrong intentions, can become addictive or not for His glory.

Just my $.02

 

[FrogWife]

I love looking for answers in the Bible! I've been thoroughly reading my Bible and searching for an answer to your question. I can't find a single Bible verse that directly talks about "gambling". I did find tons of Bible verses about: addiction, bankruptcy, debt, decision-making, greed, leisure, money, possesions, priorities, responsibility, riches, wealth, and work.

I personally don't see a problem with a responsible adult gambling, betting, palying cards, playing the lottery, etc. I think that as long as you are not addicted to any of those activities, and you've set aside some sort of an "allowance" (the same way you would set up an allowance to get your hair/nails done, buy clothing, etc.) for yourself to gamble with so that you're spending your entire paycheck on it and going into debt over it, then it's fine. I think of it as a recreational activity that some people choose to spend their money on...Much the same as other people choose to spend their money on movies, vacations, shopping trips, electronics, outdoor activities, cars, boats, pets/animals, beauty treatments, hobbies, etc.

I believe that as long as you don't become addicted to gambling, then there's no problem with it. It's the people who become addicted to it and that live in a dark, confused world that only revolves around gambling that give the word/activity "gambling" a "bad" or "evil" reputation. But we as human beings can become addicted to many different things...I've known people that are addicted to eating, addicted to shopping, addicted to running, to talking, to watching tv, to playing games, etc. The key to all things like this, is to not let them take control of your mind and of your life.

I believe that as long as you don't allow yourself to become addicted to gambling, as long as you don't loose sight of the real and important things in life (ie. God's plan for us), and as long as you think of gambling as just another recreational activity that you enjoy, then gambling once in a while is harmless.

This is only my opinion. I'm sure that many people will respond saying how wrong I am for thinking this way...But that's one of the many beauties of how God created us, we're all free to think however we want.

 

[Redguard]

Isn't there a section in the Bible that talks about the proper "stewardship" when it comes to money?

Gambling falls under that.

 

[HeatherJay]

Isn't there a section in the Bible that talks about the proper "stewardship" when it comes to money?

Gambling falls under that.

Is it proper stewardship to spend your money on Godiva chocolate? Or on a new video game? Or a nicer car?

I'm not saying it is or it isn't...but we all spend money on things that we don't really NEED, but things that bring us pleasure. Sometimes, playing a game of cards is just something that people do for fun. So what's the difference in paying $50 for a new video game if that's where your enjoyment lies, or using that same $50 to play a game of cards with your friends if THAT's where your enjoyment lies?

I'm not trying to sway your opinion on gambling. It's just that I hear people use that "stewardship" thing all the time...to me it just doesn't add up.

BTW, can I be the first to say IBTL?

 

[Whitestone]

WW if you chose to gamble, set an amount and don't gamble any more than that. When that money is gone leave the casino area, sometimes the casino all together.

Casinos are set up in a way so that you won't notice how long you have been there, what time it is, and further the feeling that you are about to win. Also be wary of the free drinks they usually cause you to spend money.

While down there I would suggest catching a show or something else that will break up the monotony of the casino.

And if you or your husband want to spend more money to win back what you lost, stop gambling.

 

[InTheFlame]

I have a real beef with any industry which seeks to keep people in addiction and profits from them while they do it... to the point of the person becoming bankrupt and self-destructing. Casinos in general I see doing this most of all... so I don't gamble because I'm a soldier in the Salvation Army, but I avoid casinos because I don't want to support their activities at all. That includes staying in the hotel, buying a soft drink at the counter, anything.

I'm not saying that if you go into a casino you're tacitly supporting and encouraging evil... I 'm not sure I'd go that far! But I thought you'd be interested to hear my personal reasons for avoiding them like the plague.

 

[Andry]

I have a real beef with any industry which seeks to keep people in addiction and profits from them while they do it... to the point of the person becoming bankrupt and self-destructing. Casinos in general I see doing this most of all... so I don't gamble because I'm a soldier in the Salvation Army, but I avoid casinos because I don't want to support their activities at all. That includes staying in the hotel, buying a soft drink at the counter, anything.

I'm not saying that if you go into a casino you're tacitly supporting and encouraging evil... I 'm not sure I'd go that far! But I thought you'd be interested to hear my personal reasons for avoiding them like the plague.

And so you think the fault lies with the casino?

 

[Oblivious]

Is it proper stewardship to spend your money on Godiva chocolate? Or on a new video game? Or a nicer car?

Exactly. Great point.

BTW, can I be the first to say IBTL?

Grrrrr.... beat me to it!

 

[luvmyhubby]

1 Cor 10:27-31 "If someone who isn't a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. (but suppose someone tells you, 'This meat was offered to an idol.' Don't eat it out of considerations for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condembned for eating it? So whether you eat or drink, or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Col 3:17 - "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representation of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through hm to God the Father.

Gambling is one of those things that is not really directly addressed in the Bible, and therefore is not expressly forbidden. We each have our own standards, which we set according to our own conscience. It's important not to lead others to stumble, but we can't make our own standards somebody else's. We have been given freedom in Christ, freedom to discern what is right or wrong for us as individuals. Some have convictions that gambling is not exercising good stewardship, where others feel that it is no less a source of entertainment, a pleasurable way to pass the time, than indulging in some other form of activity (video games or an expensive meal out). Some fear the addictive qualities, where others know that they have the self-control to avoid that. A person trying to decide what is right or wrong needs to exercise he God-given intellect and power of reasoning, determining his or her own conscience in the matter. The most important consideration - is it being done for the glory of Christ? Is there a way I can honor God through this action. I have never been to a casino, but I do occassionally play the lottery. I have always said that if I ever win, the first thing I will do is buy air-conditioning for my church (desperately needed) and pay to have the pews replaced (also desperately needed). I would also donate a generous amount to a charity I feel is worthwhile. I have found a way to use this "gambling" to glorify God. If I won the lottery and simply spent the money on my own lusts, that is not glorifying to God.

So, to answer the OP's original question, the reason some Christians are so against gambling is because God has laid on their hearts that it is not right for them to do. This is their own personal standard, but not something that is clearly forbidden by the Bible (like murder or stealing, for example). You may be able to be a great witness to Christ at the hotel. God has a purpose for you being placed in that particular hotel at that particular time, and it may not be evident to you in this lifetime, but trust Him to use you in the circumstances.

 

[WrightWife]

IBTL- please explain....I'm lost

Wow, I'm amazed at the variety in responses to my question. I don't see gambling @ a casino as any different than any other type of gambling. My intentions as to spend and possible gain would however show my thanks to HIM for allowing it. We all spend discretionary funding differently, and as we see fit. Buying a new outfit (that I don't need, just really want) doesn't in itself show honor to God but most would agree that act is very far from being sinful.

Thanks again for all your input.