What is the biblical teaching on gambling? (A. Chamber)
Well, before I share some thoughts about this topic, let me confess that I myself recently "gambled." A group of friends was watching the Superbowl, and they asked me to join in a game and put down $5. There was one chance to win per quarter of the game; the amount wagered was small; and so after initially insisting, "I'm not a gambling man," I gave in--and ended up winning $33! Was this wrong?
The Bible has little, if anything, to say on gambling--directly, anyway. But it has a great deal to say on stewardship, and it is my opinion that for the most part, gambling is poor stewardship. For example, the lottery--one of many get-rich-quick schemes--promises enormous pay-outs to the winners, yet chances of winning approach the infinitesimal. Maybe one person wins, but millions "lose." Especially the poor, the elderly, and members of minorities--those who most often play the game. I personally do not want to have anything to do with this, though another Christian's conscience might allow him or her to participate. (If you personally have a problem with this, let me encourage you to read Romans 14 and 15. Also, you find some excellent material in the chapter in Decision Making and the Will of God (Garry Friesen, Multnomah Press) on "When Christians Differ.")
But back to stewardship. God is not a cheapskate (Mark 14--see the Jesus' reaction to those who criticized the woman for "wasting" the expensive perfume on him), yet on the other hand he does hold us accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions (Psalm 19:14, Hebrews 4:13, Matthew 12:36, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Many parables show that the Lord expects wisdom in our use of money and possessions (see Luke 10, 12, 16, 18, etc).
You will need to determine the truth about gambling from your convictions based on God's word, as well as from your experience and own conscience. In nearly all instances, I would think that gambling is a poor choice, and not the will of God. Yet there are degrees of "gambling," of taking various risks. For instance, would it be irresponsible for a man who makes $100,000,000 a year to buy a raffle ticket? (Are you sure?) So let's not be too judgmental, rather strive to speak only where the Bible speaks.
This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only.
Source: Pennsylvania online poker resources and guidelines
