You would be shocked at the reasons Christians give to justify gambling.
“It’s just for entertainment”
“I only spend a fixed amount of money on the slot machines then I walk away”
Or the age old classic,
“The Bible doesn’t say we can’t gamble”
What a mature argument.
But still an argument that ignores the authority principle of the Bible.
Let’s break down the position of gambling and show that it is not a behavior supported by biblical evidence and Christians should not be engaging in it.
1. Stewardship of Resources
Gambling is poor stewardship.
One of the tasks of the Christian is to manage whatever amount of wealth they have gained on this earth in accordance with principles of the Bible.
To manage our wealth is to serve God.
After all, if you believe in the Bible, you know that everything truly belongs to God.
Psalm 50:10 – “All the beasts of the forest are mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills”.
Therefore, to gamble with your money is to gamble with God’s money, since it is God’s money that he has lent to you.
Think about it this way, if you were put in charge of a successful businessman’s money, would you gamble with it?
Probably not.
Simply by thinking of it is as someone else’s money makes us think more carefully about how we would manage that money.
And our money is someone else’s money.
It’s God’s money.
With that in mind, you can understand why it would be dangerous to gamble someone else’s money because we would then have to explain to them how we lost it.
We will have to give an account before God regarding how we managed the gifts He gave us.
It would be hard to explain a financial loss of God’s resources from gambling.
Scriptural Support:
- Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents): Everyone knows this parable. It’s about God dealing out resources for his servants to manage.
In this case He is leaving them with money, not abilities. And He expects them to manage their resources well and provide a return on investment when He returns home.
He wants His goods to increase, not decrease, when He returns.
That’s not a command to chase wealth our whole lives, but to manage correctly what wealth we are given. - Gambling is a misuse or poor stewardship of money, which could otherwise be used for constructive purposes. It’s not the only way to use money poorly, but it is a significant way.
More people have lost their livelihood to a gambling addition than is reasonable.
Explanation:
Christians are commanded to be wise stewards of their resources.
Gambling, which involves risking money with the outsized probability of losing it [due to slighted odds of the casinos], is irresponsible and contrary to the principles of wise stewardship.
2. Love of Money
While some may gamble for entertainment, others still gamble because they think it will make them rich.
These are generally the people who don’t know how probabilities work.
They either think they will beat the odds on slots, beat the odds at the poker table or beat the odds with the power ball.
But the house always wins.
You don’t have to love money to pursue and build up wealth.
But those who are desperately attempting to become wealthy by gambling may be struggling with a love of money.
Scriptural Support:
- 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV): “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.“
Explanation:
Gambling can create or increase a pre-existing love of money and greed, leading to sinful behavior.
The desire to win money often overshadows morality.
3. Covetousness and Greed
Besides mere love of money, gambling is a behavior that is built on greed.
You don’t have to wealthy to be greedy.
There are plenty of greedy poor people.
We just demonize the greedy rich more than the greedy poor because we feel bad for the poor.
Gambling can be a way to cultivate and further develop greed in our minds, because we are always looking for that next win, that next little bit of cash, and are always wanting more than we have.
Scriptural Support:
- Exodus 20:17 (NKJV): “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.“
- Luke 12:15 (NKJV): “And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.‘”
Explanation:
Gambling feeds covetousness, as individuals desire wealth that is not that which they earn.
This desire can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with material gain and a lack of contentment with what one has.
4. Exploitation and Harm
The gambling industry preys on the weak and poor.
Maybe you don’t love money, maybe you aren’t greedy, maybe you are just desperate in your current financial situation.
Desperation will make people do anything to escape.
Many poverty stricken individuals see no way out of their current situation except to try the last ditch effort of gambling to lift them from their poverty.
Gambling disproportionately affects the poor.
Poor people are more likely to gamble and more likely to commit crime to fund gambling addictions.
Gambling increases crime in the areas where it is allowed. It is also correlated with increased depression and suicidality.
The affects of gambling on the mind of man are not positive.
Nor are the effects that casinos have on the communities surrounding where they are built.
These are the evil fruits that gambling produces.
If you aren’t sure if something is sinful, look at the fruits it produces. If the Bible doesn’t specifically speak about the concept [such as with gambling], you have to make a wise decision based on other scripture and discretion.
The fruits of gambling are:
- Increased Depression
- Increased Suicidality
- Increased crime in the surrounding areas
- Targeted exploitation of the poor
- Increased risk of divorce
Do these look like good or bad fruits to you?
Scriptural Support:
- Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV): “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.”
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The house always wins by slighting the odds in it’s own favor and earning money through dishonesty. - Micah 2:1-2 (NKJV): “Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds! At morning light they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and take them by violence, also houses, and seize them. So they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.“
Explanation:
The gambling industry frequently exploits individuals, particularly the vulnerable and those prone to addiction. It exploits the poor who are desperate for any way out of their current financial situation.
They sell false hope under a thin veil of entertainment.
This frequently does lead to significant personal harm and harm of the community which we have mentioned already, including: financial ruin, broken families, and various forms of exploitation.
5. Trust in Providence
Man has a mere handful of responsibilities when it comes to his financial position.
He simply must work.
If a Christian man does honest work, God will ensure he has his basic needs met [foods, clothing, and shelter].
God does not guarantee a luxurious life with the best clothes, the latest iPhone, fancy cars and a Mansion.
If you want those things you have to learn how to make yourself valuable to the marketplace.
God has said he will cover the basics if we will work and trust in him [Matt 6] but that is where the guarantee of God stops.
So do your basic work, and God will provide for your basic needs.
Scriptural Support:
- Philippians 4:19 (NKJV): “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.“
- Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV): “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.“
Explanation:
Gambling often comes from a desire for quick financial gain, reflecting a lack of trust in God’s provision.
Christians are required trust in God’s providence and to seek His kingdom first, rather than relying on chance to meet their needs.
6. Impact on Evangelism
Into the more speculative, subjective e components of gambling.
If you are spotted at a casino as a Christian, what do you think that does to the reputation of Christians?
How does the fact that a Christian is out trying to hit it big in a Casino change the world’s perspective on them?
I’ll tell you what it does. It makes the world think that Christians are just like them.
Despite the fact that we are called to be different, gambling is an activity of the world and it makes us look like we are part of the world.
Scriptural Support:
- 1 Peter 2:12 (NKJV): “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.“
- Romans 14:16 (NKJV): “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil.”
Explanation:
Gambling can negatively impact a Christian’s evangelism to others. Engaging in gambling can cause others to question the sincerity of our faith and the principles we stand for, which, in turn, diminishes our ability to effectively evangelize for Christ.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, the principles outlined in Scripture provide a strong basis for considering it sinful.
Gambling involves poor stewardship, creates or exacerbates a love of money, builds greed and covetousness, exploits the vulnerable, reflects a lack of trust in God, and can harm evangelism efforts.
Thus, many Christian denominations, including those aligned with conservative and Church of Christ teachings, advise against it.
Counterarguments
But what about people who say “It’s just entertainment, I’ll take fixed amount of money and not spend any more than that“.
1. Slippery Slope Argument
While the individual may intend to gamble only a fixed amount, gambling can often lead to addiction.
This argument assumes a level of self-control that many do not maintain when faced with the excitement and potential reward of gambling.
The initial fixed amount can easily increase over time, leading to financial and personal problems.
Logical Fallacy:
- False Sense of Security: The argument creates a false sense of security, assuming that a fixed limit will be strictly adhered to, which is often not the case with gambling addiction.
2. Ethical and Moral Implications
Even if done in moderation, gambling can be seen as morally problematic due to its association with greed, covetousness, and poor stewardship of resources.
It involves risking money for the chance of gaining more, which may not align with Christian principles of contentment and responsible management of one’s resources.
Scriptural Support:
- 1 Timothy 6:10 (NKJV): “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil…”
- Proverbs 21:20 (NKJV): “There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.“
3. Impact on Evangelism
Engaging in gambling, even in moderation, damages evangelism. You don’t see preachers in casinos for a reason.
Scriptural Support:
- 1 Peter 2:12 (NKJV): “Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles…”
- Romans 14:16 (NKJV): “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil.”
4. Support of an Unethical Industry
Even if an individual gambles responsibly, their participation supports an industry that is dependent on exploitation, addiction, and societal harm. This industry profits from the losses of individuals, many of whom cannot afford it.
Scriptural Support:
- Micah 2:1-2 (NKJV): “Woe to those who devise iniquity, and work out evil on their beds!“
- Proverbs 13:11 (NKJV): “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished…”
5. Fallacy of Personal Exception
The argument assumes that the individual is an exception to the rule and can gamble without negative consequences.
Overlooking the reality that gambling is inherently risky and that many who start with good intentions end up facing negative consequences.
Logical Fallacy:
- Hasty Generalization: Assuming that because one person can gamble without falling into addiction or financial trouble, it is a safe and harmless activity for everyone.
6. Impact on Family and Relationships
Gambling, even in small amounts, can strain family relationships and finances. The potential for loss and the associated stress can impact one’s home life and personal relationships.
Scriptural Support:
- 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV): “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.“
- Proverbs 15:27 (NKJV): “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live.“
Conclusion
The argument that gambling is merely a form of entertainment and harmless if done with a fixed amount overlooks several key issues, including the potential for addiction, the ethical implications, the impact on evangelism, the support of an unethical industry, and the strain on personal relationships.
By examining these points, it becomes clear that even moderate gambling can have significant negative consequences and is inconsistent with Christian principles of stewardship, contentment, and ethical behavior.
