Is Is Wrong To Gamble?

[Vinter]

Gambling is not wrong, (some forms of investment can be considered more of a risk than gambling so ..) but being covetous or "chasing after fantasies" is self harming.

I don't know where you get the covet part from? You say fantasy, I say dream, a pipedream, but a dream nonetheless. The chance of winning is small, very small, but's it's there.

To what in you does gambling appeal? Contentment? That seems unlikely. Covetousness, maybe? Greed?

1 Timothy 6:8-10
8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Whose money are you risking in a game of chance? As a Christian, aren't you a steward of the money God has enabled you to obtain? Isn't all that you possess ultimately His? Yes. How are you being a good steward of what God has given you by blowing it on gambling?

The Christian person is to be under Christ's Lordship, under his rule and control. In this circumstance, all that they are and possess is at the disposal of their Lord - especially since it all has ultimately been given to them by their Lord. The strength and intelligence to earn money, the capacity to obtain skills necessary to work gainfully, the provision of employment - all these are from the Lord who imparts them to those under his authority, in particular, to serve his eternal, spiritual purposes, not to be squandered in games of chance.

Colossians 3:1-2
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Matthew 6:19-24
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,
23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.

God's word tells us in great detail how to live as children of God, as Christians. Nowhere does Scripture ever hint that gambling is okay. In light of the verses above (and many others that warn us against being at all preoccupied with the accumulation of wealth), you should not be gambling with God's money over which He has made you a temporary steward.

Matthew 6:31-33
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Out of those options. Contentment.

I see gambling like alcohol. Low alcohol drinks was freely served in Bible times, Jesus turned water into wine and Timothy was told to 'take a little wine for his stomach issues'.
On the flip side are the verses warning about being drunk
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

So it is more about what a person does with the wine or gambling and if alcohol or gambling (or anything else) is part of their own personal weakness.
I don't think an occasional 'scratch it ticket' or whatever your country has is being sinful, yet we all know that gambling addiction can be as serous as alcohol addiction. They literally ruin families. If someone feels that gambling may be a weakness for them they would do well to stay away from even the mildest of forms the same way an alcoholic can never take even one small drink.

Moderation vs addiction. And of course addiction can be to anything. A person could be addicted to food or money or video games. One could say that Samson's addition was to women as they brought him down. So it is more about knowing your own weaknesses and avoiding them.

We do have those Scrath it tickets, but i don't buy those. Considering I only buy that lottery ticket and still have money for food, rent and so on. I don't personally consider it an issue.

If you would spend the same amount of money and time as you would for other entertainment such as $10 for a two hour movie, you do not have a problem.

If you lust after riches, you do have a problem

1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It's exactly that, it's a good analogy. To me it's like a movie ticket. Maybe I will enjoy the movie, maybe it sucks. Maybe I win the lottery, maybe I lose.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I don't know where you get the covet part from? You say fantasy, I say dream, a pipedream, but a dream nonetheless. The chance of winning is small, very small, but's it's there.
.

I think you misunderstood, I was just stating the general guidelines I perceived for the activity.

 

[coffee4u]

I
We do have those Scrath it tickets, but i don't buy those. Considering I only buy that lottery ticket and still have money for food, rent and so on. I don't personally consider it an issue.

Well the form itself doesn't matter, the way I see it is X going to be a personal weakness to me or a weakness to another who is with me? If your friend has a drinking problem you don't invite them to a pub even to eat because the alcohol is right there.
1 Corinthians 8-9
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak
So if buying a lottery ticket is not your weakness into gambling addiction and it doesn't potentially harm someone you are with then to me that is fine. That is the criteria that I use in all situations anyway.

 

[Vinter]

I think you misunderstood, I was just stating the general guidelines I perceived for the activity.

My mistake then.

 

[angelsaroundme]

If the exchange rate I found is correct that is approximately seven dollars in American money. That is a reasonable budget. As long as you don't go too far with it I don't see a problem. Just be mindful that very few hit the jackpot. In America, the more you win the higher it's taxed, so that can be deceiving as well.

 

[deaconpete]

Proverbs 14:11 says “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Lets say you hit it big, will you stop? maybe but most people wouldn't and it will just become more of a problem. Prayer will help you make the right choice

 

[Vinter]

Proverbs 14:11 says “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Lets say you hit it big, will you stop? maybe but most people wouldn't and it will just become more of a problem. Prayer will help you make the right choice

I don't think it's dishonest money as I play by the rules. But if I do make it big there is no reason to continue gambling. I do think I am doing something that is okay. But if you think I am going down a wrong path, I don't mind if you or others who have been posting or follwing this thread pray for me.