IS GAMBLING A SIN?

Is Gambling a Sin?

“You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!”   Haggai 1:6 (NLT)

            Originally the Christian churches decided gambling to be a sin because of the scripture surrounding the death of Christ on the cross.  “And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots [dice] for them to determine what every man should take.” (Mark 15:24)  Yes, the Roman soldiers gambled for Jesus clothes.  They were not Christians so it had nothing to do with the Christians, but it was termed a sinful practice from then on.  However, the Catholic Church sees nothing wrong with it and even promotes it in their churches.  Yet they also offer counseling for those who are addicted to gambling, but in most cases addictions are caused from practices that are considered to be sinful.

            This is a controversial subject in the church today, so I felt the need to address this issue.  You may not like what I’m teaching on, but, as always, let’s see what the Word of God says on the subject. Even Isaiah wondered about it, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?”    Isaiah 55:2

                Let me say here that gambling is not a sin unto death.  Gambling is not going to keep you out of heaven! However, there are a variety of reasons people gamble and some of the reasons are very ungodly and are counted as sin.  Let’s look at I Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”  The ‘Love of money’ is the problem.  We all need money to live, but we don’t need to be obsessed with it.  The ‘love of money’ causes some to sin, like stealing, murder, turning from God.

            The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”   When we are obsessed with storing more money away, we become a slave to money. Usually those obsessed with getting more and more give little away; they don’t tithe, don’t help the poor and needy, or give of themselves.

            Money can separate you from serving God. How do we know this, because I John 3:17 explains what happens: “But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?”  When we gamble by going to casinos, playing cards for money, or buying lottery tickets, we are not sinning. However, if we can afford to do those things, then we can afford to help others.

            Some people are so addicted to gambling; they may not pay their bills or have money for food, so they can gamble. Some people sell things out of their home just so they can have money to gamble. The truth is that more people lose than win.  God tells us in Hebrews 13:5 “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”   God will give you what you need if you trust him. 

            Gambling looks like fun, if you can get past the environment of all the drinking and smoking. Casinos are not what you call a healthy or godly atmosphere.  My family love games; board games, card games and thinking games; just not for money.  God wants you to enjoy life and serve Him to the best of your ability.

            No - gambling is not a sin unless you make it an idol; unless you spend more time with it than with God, or spend all your money gambling and give God nothing.  Do you have a great financial need?  “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19