Is gambling wrong? What does the Bible say?
So, what is wrong with gambling and playing the lottery? Many ask this question when they hear preachers say the Bible condemns it. They argue that it's just innocent fun and doesn't hurt anyone! But is that true?
The reason gambling and even buying lottery tickets runs against what is taught in the Bible pretty much boils down to the reasoning behind it.
Why do people buy lottery tickets, play slot machines or bet money at casino tables? What is their hope? Isn't it to win and obtain money or prizes they did not earn? How many buy a lottery ticket or place a bet with the express purpose of losing and contributing to education or to the wealth of the casino owners?
Also to be considered is the question: Why do casinos have slot machines and game tables? Aren't they in the business to make money they didn't earn? Do they provide equitable merchandise or services for the cash they take in? And why do states sell lottery tickets? Aren't state officials taking advantage of the uneducated and legally taking their hard-earned money to fund government programs? (It is ironic that states would legalize lotteries and take advantage of the uneducated and foolish to advance education. If enough people did become educated, did the math and figured their odds, the lotteries should go broke, don't you think? I suppose even the educated can be foolish!)
So, what is wrong with all this? It comes down to the Bible's teaching about covetousness and stealing. Two commandments in the Decalogue clearly condemn it: "You shall not steal" and "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" (Exodus 20:15, 17; cf. Deuteronomy 5).
First of all, it is wrong for a person to desire and attempt to obtain money and prizes which are not his and which he did not earn. Secondly, it is wrong for a gambling institution or a state to seek to take away the wages of others which are not rightfully theirs to take -- and that is true no matter how noble the cause.
And when one wins -- whether it be the lottery or in a casino -- whose money do they win? Isn't it a part of the money all the other players put down in hopes of winning the money of others? It wasn't rightfully earned, nor was it freely given.
And, even if it were to happen that someone gambled with no desire to win and with no intention to take the money of others. The Bible also says, "Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life" (Proverbs 29:24). Why would any Christian wish to join in a game or practice based upon covetousness and thievery? Rather, a Christian will trust in the Lord, be satisfied with what the Lord provides and give to those in need.
Hebrews 13:5 says: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
And what if you have gambled or played the lottery? What should you do? Here, there is no better advice than that in John's first epistle (1 John 1:8-9, 2:1-2): "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ... My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."
Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Editorial on 05/20/2015