What the Bible Says About Gambling

What Does the account book Say About gambol? Surprisingly, the Bible contains no specific command to avoid gambling. However, the Bible does contain timeless principles for quick a life pleasing to God and is interested with wisdom to fight with e very(prenominal) situation, including gambling. Answer Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we read some mess casting scads when a decision had to be made. In most instances, this was only when a way of find something imparti anyy Joshua in that locationfore cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the LORD, and there he distri aloneed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions. Joshua 1810, NIV) Casting lots was common among many ancient cultures. Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus garments at his crucifixion Lets non tear it, they said to one some other. Lets decide by lot who will get it. This happened that the scripture might be complete which said, They divided my garments among them and cas t lots for my clothing. So this is what the soldiers did. (John 1924, NIV) Does the Bible put forward Gambling? Although the words gambling and gamble do non bet in the Bible, we empennage non assume that an activity is non a sin simply because it is not mentioned.Looking at pornography on the Internet and using flagitious drugs are not mentioned either, entirely both(prenominal) violate Gods laws. While casinos and lotteries announce thrills and excitement, obviously people gamble to try to win property. Scripture gives very specific instructions about what our em distancement should be toward money Whoever loves money never has money enough whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This as well is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 510, NIV) No servant can serve two masters. Jesus said. both he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money. (Luke 1613, NIV) For the love of mone y is a root of either kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 herds grass 610, NIV) Gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard Lazy hands require a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 104, NIV) One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise(p) stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure. seekrs may believe they earn their money with their suffer labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lords work or to save it for an emergency, rather than put up it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player. Gamblers begrudge to a greater extent money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, m uch(prenominal) as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment You shall not covet your neighbors house.You shall not covet your neighbors wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 2017, NIV) Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol. According to the subject field Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million U. S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million are problem gamblers. This addiction can destroy the stability of the family, lead to job loss, and cause a soulfulness to lose control of their life for a man is a striver to whatever has mastered him. 2 Peter 219) Some get by that gambling is nothing more than entertainment, no more immoral than overtaking to a movie or concert. People who attend movies or concerts bear only entertainment in return, however, not money. They are not temp ted to documentation spending until they break even. Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope. Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we are constantly reminded that our hope is in God whole, not money, power, or position Find rest, O my soul, in God alone my hope comes from him. Psalm 625, NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 1513, NIV) Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 617, NIV) Some Christians believe that church raffles, bingos and the like to raise funds for Christian education and ministries are harmless fun, a form of donation involving a game.Their logic is that, as wit h alcohol, an adult should act responsibly. In those circumstances, it seems unlikely mortal would lose a large amount of money. Gods Word is No Gamble Every leisure activity is not a sin, but all sin is not clearly listed in the Bible. Added to that, God doesnt just postulate us not to sin, but he gives us an even higher(prenominal) goal. The Bible encourages us to consider our activities in this way Everything is permissible for mebut not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for mebut I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 612, NIV) This verse appears again in 1 Corinthians 1023, with the addition of this idea Everything is permissiblebut not everything is constructive. When an activity is not distinctly described as sin in the Bible, we can ask ourselves these questions Is this activity beneficial for me or will it generate my master? Will participation in this activity be constructive or destructive to my Christian life and witness? The Bible does not explicitly say, Thou shalt not play blackjack. Yet by gaining a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures we have a trustworthy guide for determining what pleases and displeases God.