Gambling

   

I.            Definition: Gambling is risking by a wager or a bet anything of any value that God has given to us in an attempt to obtain by trickery, by using superior knowledge one possesses at the expense of others and/or by trusting in chance (Lady Luck or Fate), anything of any value that belongs to our neighbor (which he would have otherwise wanted to keep), without offering something of equivalent value in return, even though he would agree to be deprived thereof.  Gambling is poor Christian stewardship and stealing, albeit by mutual consent (agreement).

                 

II.            Concerning the “casting of lots” the Bible teaches:

A.            As believers used lots there was no-

                        1.            coveting, greed or lust for money,

                        2.            loss to one’s neighbor or

                        3.            lack of trust in God.

                                    Lev. 16:8ff; Num. 26:5; Josh. 14:2; 20:8,9; 1 Chron 24:5; Neh. 10:34; 11:1;

                                    Acts 1:24-26

            B.            As unbelievers used lots the opposite was true.

Joel 3:3; Nahum 3:10; Obad 11; Jonah 1:7; Ps. 22:18; Matt. 27:35;

Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; John 19:24

 

III.            Gambling is sinful because:

A.             It is stealing by mutual consent and therefore contrary to the Seventh

Commandment.  Exod. 20:15; Lev. 19:11; Deut. 5:19; Matt. 15:19; Mark 10:9; Titus 3:10; Rom. 13:9

B.        It involves covetousness and insatiable greed which is contrary to the Ninth and Tenth Commandments.  Exod. 20:17; Prov. 21:26; Rom. 7:7;

1 Tim. 6:10

            C.            It is Idolatrous in trusting chance, fate or Lady Luck rather than the Holy

                        Trinity, contrary to the First Commandment.  Exod. 20:3; 1 John 5:21

            D.             It is certainly poor stewardship of God’s money and often of time.

                        Isa. 55:2; Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; 15:13,14

            E.             It exhibits no love for our neighbor.  Mark 10:19; 1 Cor. 13:5;

John 15:12,17; Luke 19:8

            F.            It is demoralizing to society by creating a get rich quick philosophy

(lotteries) which ignores a Biblical work ethic.  Gen. 3:19; 2 Thes. 3:10;

Prov. 28:22

G.        It is parasitical to society in that it causes real individual and personal hardships whenever it becomes a habit-forming, addictive sin.  Rom. 13:8;

            2 Pet. 1:5,6.