The basic problem with gambling is that it involves the sin of covetousness, which is the desire to possess something that rightfully belongs to another. Dr. Stafford North, of the Oklahoma University of Science and Arts, defines gambling as “The act of risking what is yours in order to get what belongs to another with nothing given in return.”
It has come to our attention that some are under the impression investing in the stock market falls into the same category as gambling because it involves risk. Many things in life involve risk, i.e. surgery, driving an automobile, etc. However, these do not constitute gambling according to the definition given, nor does it necessarily follow that an activity is a form of gambling just because risk is an element. Let us examine this in light of the Scriptures.
First of all, from the beginning of time God has desired that man earn his living through honest labor. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). This “work ethic” is a tried and proven means to prosperity, as witnessed in our nation today. Yet many do not realize it has its roots in the divinely inspired Word of God! In the New Testament we also read, “if any would not work, neither should he eat” and “the laborer is worthy of his hire” and “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (See 1 Thessalonians 3:10; Luke 10:7; and Ephesians 4:28.) In other words, if you want to receive something, work for it honestly!
Second, throughout the scriptures, buying and selling are presented as acceptable means of labor. Nowhere is this more evident than in the parable of the talents as recorded in Matthew 25. In verse 27, the lord scolds the one talent man for being wicked and lazy and offers this admonition: “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” It is obvious this means the servant could have pleased his master by investing the talent (money) thereby gaining interest (“usury” in the KJV). Incidentally, depositing one’s money into a bank is virtually the same as investing in stock, since banks make investments in the market and prosper in this way. That is precisely how such institutions are able to pay interest for checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, etc.
We must also point out here that one may be involved in legitimate labor and receive the reward he deserves for that labor, but be displeasing to God. The rich man in Luke 12 was one who through honest labor had great increase from his fields, but he was “not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). One must always keep in mind the fact that he is a steward of God’s property, and is responsible for those less fortunate than he.
Third, although investing in stock contains an element of risk, it does not fit the above definition of gambling, “risk” being only a part of that definition. When one invests in stock, his desire is to see that particular company grow and prosper so that both it and he will gain. To put it in colloquial terms, when a stock does well, it is a win/win situation — both for the company and for the investor. In stark contrast to this, gambling requires others to lose for one to prosper. The motive behind the “Friday night poker game,” for example, is to go home with everyone else’s paycheck, or at least a sizable portion of them. Try to match this attitude up with the “golden rule” of Matthew 7:12! Here Jesus says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” One shudders to think of the countless families that suffer due to the loss of income by those who would gamble away their hard-earned wages, or of those who may take someone else’s hard-earned wages by trickery and cause another’s family to suffer. Either way, greed takes bread away from the mouths of deserving children.
In recent years, there has been an effort by the proponents of gambling to normalize this immoral activity. However, changing the terminology does nothing more than put a smiling mask over a wicked practice. By calling gambling, “gaming”, and a gambling casino a “resort” or “park”, worldly people attempt to deceive others into thinking such a place is a wholesome, family-oriented establishment. The Scriptures are not silent on this subject either.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 5:20-24)
One needs only to look beyond the surface to see that these so-called “recreational areas” are facades. The increase of crime and the “seedy” elements (prostitution, nude bars, lone sharks, etc.) almost always accompany such places and this is well documented. Just ask any local law enforcement officials where such establishments thrive. Christians are told to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). This does not mean that if something looks evil, it is evil. It means that wherever the forces of wickedness exert their influence, the Christian is not to be found in association with them.
To put it bluntly, any time one engages in a game of chance (through a card game, state sponsored lottery, bingo, slot machines, horse and/or dog racing, etc.) for the purpose of receiving gain that is not rightfully his, he has sinned, and God will deal with him accordingly!
- He has sinned by coveting what is not rightfully his.
- He has sinned by disregarding the Bible’s commands and examples concerning honest labor.
- He has sinned by not having consideration for those he will be robbing of what is rightfully theirs (including, perhaps, even those of his own household).
Brethren and friends, this is not a “gray area” left open for loose interpretation. The Bible is plain. We implore you to consider this matter scripturally and carefully!
