Whilemost people view gambling as an innocent pass-time activity so longas it is practiced legally, others see it as a sinful and dangerousvice. Some forms of legal gambling, for example, government-sponsoredlotteries, bring in revenue that is used in programs for the benefitof the public.
Bible verses related to Gambling from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Iberostar paraiso maya casino resort and spa. Understandingwhat the Bible says about gambling all depends on your comprehensionand interpretation as it does not directly quote betting. Suchsilence breeds fertile grounds for discussion and disagreement.Opinions on the morality of betting vary from total abstinence toacceptance in moderation. The Bible does, however, offer a fewguiding principles that disclose how God feels about gambling.
Whatthe Bible Says About Gambling
- The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to 'get rich quick' (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy.
- The Bible goes ahead to advise us to work creatively and for the benefit of others in Ephesians 4: 28; '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,' (KJV). Gambling, on the other hand, nurtures an attitude of 'something for.
- Bible verses about gambling. Many people wonder is gambling a sin? Although there might not be a clear cut verse from what we learn in Scripture I strongly believe it is a sin and all Christians should stay away from it.
- Bible verses about Addiction. Psalm 50:15-51:13 ESV / 238 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.'.
Winningmoney at the expense of others is gambling's essential nature. Thisis against the Bible's teachings 'to guard against every sort ofgreed (Luke 12: 15- Thenhe said to them, 'Watchout! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does notconsist in an abundance of possessions.')gambling in itself is fueled by greed to gain even more than youalready have. Gaming platforms promote big jackpots while not talkingabout the poor odds of winning. They know that fantasies of 'getrich quick' are more popular among players and prompt them tobet vast amounts at casinos. Gambling promotes the urge and desirefor easy money rather than help people guard themselves against greedand covetousness.
Gamblingis also based on a deeply-rooted selfish goal which is winning cashthat has been lost by other players. The Bible, however, talk aboutthis in 1 Corinthians 10: 24; 'Letno man seek his own, but every man another's wealth'(KJV). Oneof the commandments also states that in Exodus 20:17; 'Youshall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covetyour neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox ordonkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.'(NIV). Whena gambler puts his heart in winning a bet, he is hoping that anotherman loses their money so that he can profit.
TheBible also advises against seeing good luck as a mystic force thatwill grant blessings. In ancient Israel, some who lacked faith in Godbegan 'setting a table for the god of Good Luck.' Suchdevotion to the god of Good Luck was unacceptable to God and he saidto them, 'Butas for you who forsake the Lordandforget my holy mountain,whospread a table for Fortuneandfill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,Iwill destine you for the sword,andall of you will fall in the slaughter;forI called, but you did not answer,Ispoke, but you did not listen.Youdid evil in my sightandchose what displeases me.'(Isaiah 65: 11, 12).
TheBible stresses the supremacy of God in Matthew 10: 29-30; 'Arenot two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fallon the ground without your Father.Butthe very hairs of your head are all numbered' (KJV).Gambling is, however, based on chance. The Bible goes ahead to adviseus to work creatively and for the benefit of others in Ephesians 4:28; 'Lethim that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working withhis hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to himthat needeth,' (KJV).Gambling, on the other hand, nurtures an attitude of 'somethingfor nothing.'
TheBible cautions against materialism in Matthew 6: 24, 25; 'Noman can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and lovethe other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Yecannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take nothought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; noryet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more thanmeat, and the body than raiment?' (KJV). Gambling,on the other hand, promotes materialism.
Inthe letter of St. Paul, Colossians 3: 23-24; 'Whateveryou do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, notfor human masters,24 sinceyou know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as areward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving' (NIV).This message consecrates work as instituted by God, and those whotoil with all their might will be rewarded by God. Gambling, incomparison to this tends to be a pass-time activity that benefitsmen.
In2 Thessalonians 3: 7-10, Paul wrote,'Foryou, yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were notidle when we were with you,8 nordid we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, weworked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would notbe a burden to any of you.9 Wedid this, not because we do not have the right to such help, butin order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.10 Foreven when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one whois unwilling to work shall not eat' (NIV).St. Paul emphasizes more on the sanctification of work and theimportance of man to eat of his sweat. Gambling feeds people withquick-money illusions, thereby deviating them from the true meaningof work.
TheBible approves of a couple of ways to honestly obtain goods or makemoney;
- Working to make money
- Acquire goods through barter trade
- Receiving lifetime gifts or inheritance after death
Scripture On Gambling Kjv Gateway
Thescripture rebukes any acquiring anything through lying, stealing, orcheating. It also condemns the desire to obtain what belongs to otherpeople.
Somemay argue that in some parts of the world, proceeds of legalizedgambling are used to fund education, economic development, and otherstate programs. The use of that money, however, does not change howit was obtained- through activities that promote selfishness andgreed and encourage the idea of getting something for nothing.
Effectsof gambling according to the Bible
TheBible cautions in 1 Timothy 6:9 that 'thosewho want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap andinto many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruinand destruction.' (NIV).Gambling is based on greed, and greed is so harmful that the Biblenames it as one among other habits that one should strongly avoid inEphesians 5: 3; 'Butamong you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, orof any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improperfor God's holy people'. (NIV)
TheBible also advises against seeing good luck as a mystic force thatwill grant blessings. In ancient Israel, some who lacked faith in Godbegan 'setting a table for the god of Good Luck.' Suchdevotion to the god of Good Luck was unacceptable to God and he saidto them, 'Butas for you who forsake the Lordandforget my holy mountain,whospread a table for Fortuneandfill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny,Iwill destine you for the sword,andall of you will fall in the slaughter;forI called, but you did not answer,Ispoke, but you did not listen.Youdid evil in my sightandchose what displeases me.'(Isaiah 65: 11, 12).
TheBible stresses the supremacy of God in Matthew 10: 29-30; 'Arenot two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fallon the ground without your Father.Butthe very hairs of your head are all numbered' (KJV).Gambling is, however, based on chance. The Bible goes ahead to adviseus to work creatively and for the benefit of others in Ephesians 4:28; 'Lethim that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working withhis hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to himthat needeth,' (KJV).Gambling, on the other hand, nurtures an attitude of 'somethingfor nothing.'
TheBible cautions against materialism in Matthew 6: 24, 25; 'Noman can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and lovethe other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Yecannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take nothought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; noryet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more thanmeat, and the body than raiment?' (KJV). Gambling,on the other hand, promotes materialism.
Inthe letter of St. Paul, Colossians 3: 23-24; 'Whateveryou do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, notfor human masters,24 sinceyou know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as areward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving' (NIV).This message consecrates work as instituted by God, and those whotoil with all their might will be rewarded by God. Gambling, incomparison to this tends to be a pass-time activity that benefitsmen.
In2 Thessalonians 3: 7-10, Paul wrote,'Foryou, yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were notidle when we were with you,8 nordid we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, weworked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would notbe a burden to any of you.9 Wedid this, not because we do not have the right to such help, butin order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.10 Foreven when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'The one whois unwilling to work shall not eat' (NIV).St. Paul emphasizes more on the sanctification of work and theimportance of man to eat of his sweat. Gambling feeds people withquick-money illusions, thereby deviating them from the true meaningof work.
TheBible approves of a couple of ways to honestly obtain goods or makemoney;
- Working to make money
- Acquire goods through barter trade
- Receiving lifetime gifts or inheritance after death
Scripture On Gambling Kjv Gateway
Thescripture rebukes any acquiring anything through lying, stealing, orcheating. It also condemns the desire to obtain what belongs to otherpeople.
Somemay argue that in some parts of the world, proceeds of legalizedgambling are used to fund education, economic development, and otherstate programs. The use of that money, however, does not change howit was obtained- through activities that promote selfishness andgreed and encourage the idea of getting something for nothing.
Effectsof gambling according to the Bible
TheBible cautions in 1 Timothy 6:9 that 'thosewho want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap andinto many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruinand destruction.' (NIV).Gambling is based on greed, and greed is so harmful that the Biblenames it as one among other habits that one should strongly avoid inEphesians 5: 3; 'Butamong you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, orof any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improperfor God's holy people'. (NIV)
Ass gambling focuses on easy wealth, it fosters a love for money. TheBible identifies money as the root of all sorts of damaging andhurtful things in 1 Timothy 6: 10; 'Forthe love of money is the root of all evil: which while some covetedafter, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves throughwith many sorrows.' (NIV).The yearning for money can easily become an overwhelming authority insomeone's life hence creating intense anxiety and negativelyaffecting one's faith in God. Literally speaking, the Book definesthose entangled by the love of money as having 'piercedthemselves all over with many pains.'
Greedinessleads to discontent, leading to people being dissatisfied with theirfinancial status and taking away their happiness from them.Ecclesiastes 5: 10; 'Hethat loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he thatloveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.' (KJV)
Manypeople who have been tempted to gambling have found themselvestrapped by the brutal addiction to gambling. This disorder isprevalent, and millions of gambling addicts have been recorded in theUnited States alone.
Oneverse in Proverbs 20: 21 states; 'Aninheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning, but the endthereof shall not be blessed.'Betting has thrust many into debt and others to the extent ofbankruptcy and cost many others jobs, marriages and friendships.
Scripture On Gambling Kjv
Isgambling a sin?
Theissue of gambling being evil is quite a difficult issue. If bettingis done in moderation and only once in a while, then it can just beclassified as an entertainment or a waste of money to others, but notnecessarily evil. People spend money on all manner of activities anditems. Gambling is no more or less a splurge of money than going outfor a movie, coughing out cash on an extravagantly costly dinner orpurchasing an item you don't necessarily need. On the other end,wasting money on many different things does not justify gambling.Money should be put into thoughtful and necessary use while savingthe surplus for your future needs, or given for a worthy cause suchas charity, rather than gambling away.
Asthe Bible does not mention gambling explicitly, it does talk about'luck' and 'chance.' Casting lots, for example, is used inthe book of Leviticus to choose between the scapegoat and thesacrificial goat. Joshua has to cast lots to determine the allocationof land to the different tribes. Nehemiah also casts lots to decidewho should live inside the walls of Jerusalem. The disciples castlots to determine who will be the replacement of Judas. Proverbs 16:33 says, 'Thelot is cast into the lap,butit's every decision is from the Lord'(NIV).
Whengambling is used as a source of entertainment, and only on occasion,then it is not harmful. The most essential thing should be guardingyourself against wasteful betting and addiction.
