Are believers allowed to gamble?

Are believers allowed to gamble? 

Following the piece I wrote about money, someone asked me to elaborate more on the matter of gambling. While there is no specific Bible verse that says "You shall not gamble", the believer must recognize that this is not the best stewardship of your money. Furthermore, there are clearly many biblical principles that are broken by the practice of gambling. The believer should not practice any form of gambling, because it is not to the glory of God.

 

1. Modern forms of gambling 

There are many modern forms of gambling. Some of these 'games' may seem very innocent, but the principle behind them is similar to gambling. Here are some examples: 

a.Gambling houses

-    Slot machines

-    Card game for money (Poker, Black Jack etc.)

-    Gambling tables (Roulette, Baccarat, Craps)

b.Lottery

-    Lotto

-    Scratch cards

c. Sports bets

-    Soccer, Rugby, Cricket and any other

-    Horse or dog racing

d.Internet gambling games

-    Gambling websites

(Even downloadable gambling games, while there may be no physical money involved, create the desire to win)

e. Television programs

-    'Big Brother' and other 'luck' and 'profit' driven programmes

f.  More 'innocent' games

-    Carnival games

-    Tossing a coin or casting the dice

-    'Rock/Paper/Scissors'

 

We live in a world that is obsessed with prosperity and wealth and there are certainly many other forms of gambling that I am not even aware of. Any practice where there is a winner and a loser and where an advantage is obtained (financially or otherwise) at the expense of the loser can be classified as gambling.

 

2. Biblical examples of gambling? 

Some people try to use biblical examples to justify gambling. Let's look at the texts commonly used but which in no way justifies the modern practice of gambling. 

One such text often used is the soldiers casting lots for Jesus' clothes after his crucifixion. It is mentioned in Mark 15:24. Another example that is sometimes used to justify gambling is the story of Samson. At his wedding, he poses a riddle to his guests. If any of them can solve the riddle he will give them 30 sets of clothes. His wife then deceived him in giving her the answer and Simon in his anger goes and kills 30 men and gives her their clothes. I group these two biblical examples together because both deal with clothing. However, what you should see both of these cases is that the practice of gambling is not put in a good light here, but a bad light. The soldiers took clothes that belong to Jesus and divide it among themselves, that's theft! It's obtaining someone else's property dishonestly. In the story of Samson, we find dishonesty, deceit, murder and theft so that those who won can receive their dishonest gain. One of the biggest problems with gambling is that it preys on the loss of others to enrich you. There is also a lot of dishonesty that comes with the gambling industry. 

But there is another biblical examples that are used by many to justify gambling. In texts such as Joshua 18:10, Nehemiah 10:34, Acts 1:26 and others, lots are cast to make decisions. But the casting of the lot is to seek God's will in a matter, not gambling. It was the God given way in biblical times that God sovereignly used to make His will known to his people. It has nothing to do with gambling. Proverbs 16:33 shows God's sovereignty in this matter. "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." This has nothing to do with looking for 'happiness' or prosperity, but it is about seeking God's will. There was no indication in these passages that it was for seeking wealth, but rather to make them wise in what pleases God in the specific situation. In biblical times this was God's particular way of revealing his will to his servants.

 

3. Biblical principles against gambling 

Why do people gamble? They want to put their luck to the test in the hope of getting rich quickly or to gaining an advantage. But this goes against many biblical principles: 

a.Chasing wealth is dangerous

The believer should not seek after wealth, because the Bible teaches us that sometimes serious danger can accompany it. For example, we read in Mark 4:19 that wealth leads to worldly cares in which people become entangled and thus do not follow the Lord fully, or at all. In Mark 10:25 we find the rich young man who was not willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. In both cases, wealth is an obstacle to obtaining spiritual benefit. The problem is often exactly what Jesus addresses in Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” For many wealthy people, their money (Mammon) is where their true loyalty lies. Christianity doesn’t expect that you should necessarily get rid of all your money, but it does require that you should not idolize it or make it a primary priority in your life. Paul also makes this point clear in 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 

b.Income must be earned through hard work

When the Lord made man, it was his command that they should work hard in order to make a living (Genesis 2:15). So the Lord expects believers to make their income through honest hard work. In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul says, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” Also Proverbs 10:4 speaks against laziness and says “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” 

Quick earned wealth also often leads to great misery, we learn this in Proverbs 13:11 “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Throughout history, there are numerous examples of people who after finding quick wealth also ended up in quick misery. Family strife, divorce, even family murder have all been the result of someone's 'luck' in gambling. 

God's expectation is still that man, and especially believers, earn an income through honest hard work. 

c. Covetousness is sin

Chasing money and possessions is sin. The reason many people gamble is because they have an unsatisfied need for more money and possessions. However, you do not have to think very long to find Bible verses that speaks against such desires. In the Law of the Lord in Exodus 20:17 it says: "You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour’s." Your desire for more is not in accordance with God's will. Your desire should be for the Lord and He is your satisfaction. 

d.Wealth doesn't solve your problems

There is this general thinking that if you just have more money all your problems will be solved. This is also one of the reasons why some people gamble. But wealth does not solve our problems. The Bible teaches us, on the contrary, that wealth only causes more problems. Ecclesiastes 5:10-15's insight into this is helpful: “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a labourer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.” 

e. Hope in luck is unChristian

Gambling is based on the principle of luck, but believers should not believe in luck or chance. We believe in the providence and sovereignty of God who gives us all that we have. The believer should therefore not place his hope in quick gain, but must trust the Lord. R C Sproul said: “If there is one maverick molecule in all the universe, then God is not sovereign. And if God is not sovereign, He is not God." Everything that happens is under the control of God, and 'luck' is therefore something that doesn’t exists. It is therefore wrong for a believer to try his 'luck' in gambling. As Proverbs 16:33 teaches “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.” 

f.  It preys on the poor

The principle on which all forms of gambling work is that there are few who win and many who lose. Those losers fund not only the winner, but also the gambling organization. The vast majority of people who gamble (especially Lotto) are people who are desperately poor and live in the hope that they will win themselves rich. The marketing of many of these gambling companies is precisely aimed at the poor, especially in third world countries. For some, a few Rand on a lottery ticket is not a big loss, but for others, it is all they have. If you win in gambling it is on the backs of the poor and it does not please God. Proverbs 14:31 says "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours him." To convey this point even more strongly says Proverbs 22:22-23 “Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.” 

g.God requires good stewardship

The Lord expects believers to honour God in everything they do, including our money. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” God gave you your money as a gift through which you must honour Him and by gambling you are not a good steward of the Lord's money. Gambling does not honour God.

 

While the Bible does not directly speak against gambling, it is clear from the above that there are numerous Scriptural principles that show that it does not please God. The believer should not gamble, because our desire in everything is to honour God. Instead of placing your hope in gambling, place your trust completely in the Lord while earning an income with honest hard work. It is worldly people who chase wealth in the hope that it will give them joy and a carefree life, but it won't, it only multiplies their troubles. The believer who rests in the Lord can be sure of his daily bread and in many cases so much more because the sovereign God knows how to take care of His children.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church