As the moral fiber of American civilization deteriorates and biblical values are jettisoned, activities that were once generally perceived to be harmful to society are now becoming acceptable and even achieving legal sanction. Gambling has become a viable form of amusement to millions of Americans with a view toward “getting rich quick.” Even in the church, uninformed, unstudied Christians see the purchase of lottery tickets as an innocent behavior. It is time to consider again the biblical principles which relate to gambling.
Assorted dictionaries define “gambling”: “to play games of chance for money”; “to risk money on uncertain gain”; “to stake or risk money, etc., in the hope of great gain.” Consider the following four reasons why gambling is inconsistent with Christian living.
Gambling Is Not Authorized by God
Christians, by definition, are people who regulate their behavior by the Scriptures. The Scriptures identify three authorized means of transferring valuables from one person to another: (1) working for pay (e.g., Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:18); (2) selling goods or property (Matthew 13:46; Acts 2:45; 4:34; 5:4; James 4:13), and (3) free will offerings or donations without expecting a return (Luke 6:30, 34-35; 10:33-35; Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 8:9). Gambling will not fit into any of these categories. The first observation for a Christian to make is that gambling is a scripturally unauthorized activity.
Gambling Conflicts
with Christian Principles
Gambling (whether lotteries, horse/dog racing, casinos or bingo) entails two or more people competing with each other to take each other’s money. Notice that the individuals involved want each other’s money but are unwilling to just donate their money to the others. Everyone who gambles is hoping to win money from others. No one wants to lose the money he gambles. Consequently, the very nature, character and essence of gambling is in direct conflict with the core and heart of Christianity as articulated by Jesus in Matthew 7:12. By definition, a gambler is treating others the way he himself does not want to be treated. Embedded at the heart of gambling, then, are the motives of selfishness, self-centeredness and jealousy/envy.
Gambling Circumvents
the Work Ethic
A third consideration for the Christian is the fact that gambling mitigates against the work ethic which is so clearly taught in the Bible. God wants human beings to labor, to work with their hands, to toil with the sweat of their brow. Consider Ephesians 4:18: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may be able to give to him that needeth.” (Also read Acts 20:35; 2 Thessalonians 3:8-12; cf., Genesis 3:19). Gambling is an obvious attempt to sidestep and short-circuit the principle of toil undertaken for noble ends.
Gambling Encourages Greed
Yet another biblical concept which impinges on the gambling question is teaching pertaining to greed or covetousness. On the one hand, God urges us to “make a living,” i.e., work in order to secure funding for daily living for self, family and the needy (1 Timothy 5:8; Galatians 6:10). On the other hand, God carefully distinguishes between “making money to live” versus “living to make money.”
Repeatedly, God warns us to eliminate from our minds greed, a desire for things, the lust to accumulate this world’s riches (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:15-21; Ephesians 5:3 Colossians 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-17). Paul spoke of those who “are minded to be rich,” who possess “the love of money” and who “trust in uncertain riches” (1 Timothy 6:10, 17). Even if one intends to use amassed wealth for the Lord’s work, the desire to get rich is fraught with hidden, subtle snares. Whatever noble motives may exist, the underlying condition of setting one’s mind and heart on wealth is itself flawed and inappropriate Christian behavior.
Conclusion
While graft and corruption have always existed in every society, a substantial segment of American society once generally understood that such matters as dancing, drinking, smoking, “cussing” and gambling were wrong. But time, circumstances and sentiments have changed. Nevertheless, God’s Word does not change. May God help us to go back to the Bible and reawaken our awareness of spiritual reality that we might alert society around us to God’s will for humanity.
