Articles
Gambling
If there was ever a need to consider God’s will concerning gambling, it is now. America has become a nation of gamblers. Some have called it the “invisible addiction.” It is gaining acceptance and growing. At one time, it was estimated that each year in America one trillion dollars is wagered. It is also estimated that ten million Americans are compulsive gamblers. The numbers are almost certainly growing.
The most common propaganda for the acceptance of gambling is that it promotes business and economic development. Yet many of the places that have legalized it report things like a decrease in the population, a huge increase in the crime rate and a doubled police force.
Of course, as Christians, our decision on this is not based on popularity or statistics but rather by the word of God. Someone may point out that the Bible nowhere says, “Thou shalt not gamble.” This is true. But the Bible also teaches in principles for those who want to be wise and “discern between good and evil” (Heb. 5:12-14). The Bible says, “Test all things; hold fast to what it is good. Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22).
Let us first define gambling and then put it to the test. If it proves to be good, embrace it. If it is not, reject it as evil.
Gambling is not simply taking a risk. Sometimes those seeking to justify it will define it that way, but the Bible indicates this definition falls short. It is not merely taking a risk on something because even everyday life has some risk to it (James 4:13-15). There are some things that have risk associated with them and yet the Bible gives its approval. The risk is believed to be reasonable and even wise. Farming has risk associated with it (2 Tim. 2:6; James 5:5), but God doesn’t call it unwise. A new business or company can step out in wisdom and then discover that the demand was not as great as careful research seemed to indicate. Some financial investments can be made wisely by purchasing stock that has been strong for years and then it can suffer unforeseen reversal. With each of these ventures, the risk involves rational choices based on a track record that you can apply wisdom to and retain a measure of control. Are those things true of gambling? Is its track record good? Does it involve good wisdom? Do you have any control?
The word “gambling” comes from the old English word “gammon” which has to do with a game. It is a game where you risk something of value in the hope of winning something of greater value. It is given totally to the forces of chance. It’s beyond your control or even rational expectation. The longer you play doesn’t increase the odds. They are the same every time. In many cases, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning!
Gambling is not good stewardship. The Bible teaches that all we have comes from God. We are stewards of His money. All we have is to be used wisely and to His glory. Jesus taught wise stewardship in Matthew 25:14-30. He condemned the one talent man because he buried his talent and didn’t make more of it. What will He say to those who waste it on gambling?
Gambling erodes God’s design for a man to work. Work is good for a man. God even had man to work before the first sin occurred. It can help to keep us occupied with something better than the constant temptation to sin. God saw great good in a man working, getting provision in that way and then sharing with others (Eph. 4:28). Proverbs 12:11 says, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment” (NIV). Gambling is a prime example of a man chasing fantasies. Gambling also has a way of making a man disdain work which God says is good.
Gambling is driven by covetousness. Some of Jesus’ strongest teaching came against covetousness (Lk. 12:15). Greed and covetousness have a way of driving us to not be content. In essence it says to God that He has not given us what we ought to have and that somehow great wealth is going to bring us happiness. The writer of Proverbs shows a great spirit when he says, “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food You prescribe for me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9). God encourages us to be content (Phil. 4:11-12). It would be far better to live contented in the life God has brought us than by pursuing the elusive dream. He knows what is best for me.
Gambling is often destructive addictive. Nothing should control the Christian but Christ (1 Cor. 6:12). It is so sad to see people addicted to gambling. They think the next roll of the dice is going to save them but time and again it brings a deeper pit to try to crawl out of.
Gambling violates the principle of loving your neighbor. Christians are people of love (Mt. 22:37-40). We are people, who never in any way want to bring hurt to our neighbor. For me to win, millions of my neighbors have to lose. And many of them are people who can least afford to lose. It is well documented that there are people who have become addicted to gambling while their family remains in need. Money that is needed by the wife and kids is thrown into gambling. I don’t know about you, but I cannot live with even one dollar that should stay with my neighbor (Ex. 20:17). If I win, I win to someone else’s hurt. Do I really love my neighbor?
Would you say gambling passes the test? Does it prove itself to be good? Or is it something a Christian should abstain from? We’ve listed poor stewardship, eroding the Bible work ethic, covetousness, destructively addictive and done at the hurt of a neighbor. Wise discernment should reveal that gambling has no place in the life of a Christian.
