The Bible and Gambling
While gambling is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, it violates principles that are stated there. God has given to each person talents that include time, money, and influence. And He appointed humans as stewards—those who are entrusted to take care of another’s property (Luke 12:42). Therefore, every person has the moral responsibility to be a faithful steward of the talents that has been entrusted to him (Luke 16:10-11).
Sadly, each year, people give billions of dollars gambling away the money that has been entrusted to them by God. And instead of using these resources to help humanity by doing worthwhile projects to fight poverty, disease, and crime, they dissipate their blessings. Therefore, gambling would not be a good stewardship of the money that God has entrusted to a person. Concerning unfaithful stewardship, Christ said: “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon [money or riches], who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11).
The tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17) talks against coveting more than what a person possesses. In gambling, people covet money, which they hope to get in a quick and easy way. Paul warns, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). And he admonishes the believers saying, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'”(Hebrews 13:5).
Jesus specifically taught against the love of money, “And He said to followers, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses’” (Luke 12:15). And He added, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). The Love of money doesn’t gratify the soul (Ecclesiastes 5:10). And since Christians are bought with a precious price (1 Corinthians 6:20), the Lord asks them, “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
