Is Trading considered gambling and therefore a Sin?

[Brilliantje]

Praise Jesus Brethren,

I would like to know your thoughts rather involving in the stock market is a sin or not.
I was reading before that it is a business since you have to acquire certain skills to partake in it. But is it considered gambling or still a righteous business?
I won a lot in Binary Options in Trading, but also lost big time. I am torn to know if I better leave the hands from it or if it would be ok to continue. Please give me your thoughts.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

You know thats a really interesting question. I never thought about that before. Its not straight up trading, but its not straight up gambling either. I have never really heard a christian call it gambling since many do it who are christian. It is what your really doing to some degree. Though I'd say one difference is in stock trading its not about "the house always wins" or odds really. Its more about following the ups and downs of the market. So I guess the answer would be while its risky, its not a sin.

 

[Brilliantje]

I can imagine that many Christian play in the Lottery, but I heard a lot that this is a sin. But would it still be a sin if I win and use the money in a righteous way, like investing and donating it?

 

[dayhiker]

Investing is buying a share of a company. Gambling is a chance game. Two very different things.

Besides where in the Bible does it say its a sin to gamble?

 

[Follower3]

Gambling is not a sin, but the stock market is pure evil
Just Kidding.

No, but honestly, nowhere does it say gambling is a sin, and the stock market IS technically trading, so I think you are in the clear. Just don't get greedy.

 

[Shempster]

I think the prohibition against gambling in the bible is really pointing to the love of money.
If you gamble or play the ponies because you want lots of money to blow on your fancies then I would avoid it.
But if you are not obsessed with money and want to simply save for when you can no longer work-then fine.

 

[dayhiker]

I learned really quickly that I lose if I gamble.
So its just smart financial management to not gamble. If one does gamble then set a stop loss dollar amount and stop at that point.
If one has the mind set of a gambler and will always connive a way to make money by taking from others then one has a very unhealthy mind and needs to find healing.