What does the Bible say about gambling and playing the lottery?

Question

and what is the verse?

Answer 1

Nothing...

Thumbsdown me all you want.. there is nothing in the Bible about gambling. No verse applies, no matter how you try to misinterpret it..

Answer 2

The Bible doesn't specifically.  But there are Biblical principles many use to be against gambling.  For example, all through the Bible, the principle of work is present.  II Thess. 3:10 reiterated the idea that if we want to eat, we have to work.

We are to take care of the widows and orphans and I wonder how many children go without because their parents spend money gambling.  And for every one winner, think of the countless losers.

Ultimately, I think each Christian must make this decision for himself, but we are to give God honor and glory with our choices in life.

I could be wrong, but I suspect it is not the wealthy buying the lottery tickets.

Answer 3

it's ok as long as you give the 10% of what you win to your pastor

Answer 4

No bueno.

Answer 5

http://www.gospelway.com/morality/gambli...

This is a link to a page that includes an overview of gambling and several scriptures that speak to the covetous aspect of it.

Answer 6

You can look at it this way;  if you are Christian, everything you have belongs to God.  Everything.  

So it stands to reason that if you gamble, you are gambling with something that belongs to God.  Would He approve of that?  Someone has to lose in order for someone to win.

D1

Answer 7

theres nothing saying dont or you cant just warnings of addiction  

Answer 8

EDIT: You have to use common sense and of course rely on what the Holy Spirit tells you. I don't believe it is a sin, but it is a terrible habit that leads to sin. It would not be good to start something that has devastated so many. For an example, cigarette smoking is not in the bible, but it is a bad habit and Christians should not do it (I do believe smoking cigarettes is a sin because it destroys the body-which is the temple). Why? because so many have died from it. You have to read the scripture that talks about doing everything to the glory of God. Ask yourself if gambling will bring glory to God. Does smoking cigarettes bring glory to God? Gambling may not be a sin for those who don't abuse it, but you have to remember to be a good example for others. Someone at the casino is going to lose a house, marriage, children, or even may commit suicide after losing it all. It is not a place of fun and excitement, but one that breaks peoples lives apart. All in all, you need to pray about it. Because most people who gamble have a bad habit. You don't want to encourage this behavior on others that might develop into a bad habit.

Answer 9

Is gambling sinful? No, not in and of itself, but it can be. Some Christians will disagree with gambling on the grounds that spending one's money (that really belongs to God) in such a fashion is really poor stewardship. But one argument in favor of the Christian's freedom to indulge in gambling is the people who do it purely for the entertainment value. In this sense, it could be considered in the same manner as movies or Disneyland: one would have to weigh the degree of entertainment with the monetary value placed on it. The more entertaining an event is, the more money that activity is worth. (e.g., I wouldn't pay $50 to see The Prince of Egypt, but I might pay $2.50 for the diversion).

Now just as with any source of pleasure or entertainment, the Christian must guard against becoming mastered by the pleasure. "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things" (1 Corinthians 9.25). The moment any activity (be it gambling or reading) begins ruling one's life, that is when that activity becomes sinful for that individual. To be sure, we who stand in Christ possess a liberty unmatched, but we must be certain not to use our liberty as an occasion for the flesh (Galatians 5:13).  

Answer 10

I don't know if it matters what the bible says about it. Just do the math, it's an overall loss for those who play. I've always liked the saying that it's a tax on those who are bad at math. It's funny that the money from the lottery should go to the schools, maybe that will make the lottery go away, probably not.

Answer 11

it says nothing about gambling and the lottery --since both did not exist then.

however the bible states that you have to give  a percentage of your earning to poor/needy people...hope it helps.

Answer 12

If you look, you will find much written in the Bible against theft and greed and coveting and misusing money as well as foolishness (lack of wisdom).

Gambling is all of those things.

As to the lottery, as the old joke says, "The lottery is a tax on people who are really bad at math."

Answer 13

I am not sure that there is any one particular verse that says "don't gamble."   Likewise, I don't know of a particular verse that says, "Gambling is quite alright."  Both would have been used repeatedly if they existed  per se.

I do know that we are not to give way to anything that would make us step out of the will of God, that we are not have any other gods/or put anything or anyone before God, and that we are to do all things in moderation.

Additionally, if we KNOW we have a problem with something, we are to examine ourselves for the truth about that "problem" whether it be gambling, drugs, eating, smoking, drinking, s*x (and or relationship addictions) or any other habit and/or addiction that causes us to sin or turn from God--or make someone or something--a god of this earth.  

We are not to give place to the devil.  If Satan is urging and tempting us to go ahead participating in an activity, that's more than a subtle hint that it's not in God's will for us and "probably IS" a sin or has become something "other" than it was when started.

If we can't see our own flaws but we are confronted in a loving way by other brothers and sisters in Christ we should listen to them because we could be in danger of self deception and not even realize that we have a problem.

x

Answer 14

What comes to mind is the Roman soldiers who cast lots for Jesus' clothing.   They weren't exactly an impressive bunch.

There's a reason Vegas is called "Sin City."  Drugs and prostitution usually go along with gambling.  And it is addictive.  You can start out with a few lottery tickets and end up losing your home in Vegas.  It's not a good use of your money.  Even if you win,  it's not likely to make you happy.  It seems the more we have, the more we want.  

Answer 15

What constitutes gambling and what the teaching of Jesus Christ says regarding its moral significance. Since the Bible is the highest moral standard ever known, and since it reveals the will of the God who created us all, we will appeal to it as the supreme standard (Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Cor. 14:37; John 17:17; Matt. 7:21-27).

Definition of Gambling

In this study "gambling" refers to a wager or bet in which each player agrees to risk losing some material possession to other players in exchange for the chance to win the possessions of other players without compensation to the loser, the winner(s) and loser(s) being determined by the outcome of a game.

Answer 16

Anything that does not glorify God or bring Him honor is wrong.

Isaiah 55:2

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.