You've heard of bee stings and dog bites but what about the "innocent-looking" scorpion? It can be crawling along minding its own business, doing its own thing, no sweat until someone gets in its way. Watch out then, that tail will rear up and give that someone a nasty, potentially life threatening sting - a sting operation, if you will. Lightning strike before you can even say "scorpion". That's what indulging in gambling, "for fun," could do.
Did you know that social gambling seems pretty innocuous and any winning or losing is no big deal? Hey, it's fun, so they say, and the cost of such entertainment is equivalent of the price of a movie ticket and popcorn. Plus, a very happy time spent with friends - so yeah, don't sweat it, ok?
Hmmmm...we shall see.
Two other forms of playing games for the chance of a desired "great gain" of earnings is professional gambling (pro) and the other, problem gambling. The sauve pro has mastered the art of gambling so much so, that he or she wins a whole lot more times than he or she loses. The pro plays in a 'controlled' manner whereas the problem gambler believes he/she is either a pro or just a social gambler.
Yet, this gambler plays to excess, uncontrolled and becomes disruptive and damaging to his or her family, and the game interfers with daily life - the person is addicted, and that's a problem! This person will need interventional help to quit, similar to the alcoholic needing the Alcoholics Anonymous for the encouragement and steadfastness, coupled with Jesus and the Holy Spirit's empowerment and understanding brothers and sisters-in-Christ, in fellowship, to over come.
Different countries and perhaps even different states or districts within a country will have different types of gambling which they allow. In Malaysia, lotteries, casino games and horse racing are legal but all other sports betting and online gambling are illegal. Among California state law regarding legal gambling firms, there are card clubs, the state lottery and one curious one that caught my attention, "charitable gambling"! (So does this make it legit to a believer in Christ? Interesting question to ponder upon.) All these are an inconclusive list but we get the idea here.
To justify gambling, some people will counter with statements such as, "Life is a gamble." or "Farming is a gamble" or even, "Buying insurance is a gamble". Do these confuse the issue?
"Time and chance happen to everyone"
we learn in Ecclesiastes 9:11-12. The race, the battle, finding food to eat, a job, wealth and favor, these all take time and effort to bring to fruition. However, I believe our lives are in God's hands and He has said,
"Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Timothy 6:8-9 KJV).
As for the farming aspect God promised,
"seed time and harvest would not cease" (Genesis 8:22).He's the one to make grass grow for the cattle to eat, and crops for food for people to cultivate. To me, farming is NOT a gamble, rather teamwork between God and human beings. The farmer ploughs, plants, fertilizes and weeds his fields. The Lord supplies the sun and rain, causing those seeds to grow in good soil conditions. In fact, God has organically engineered those seeds in the first place to do their thing when this teamwork is set in motion, to give the best possible results. Overall, the Lord is in control, therefore, in my mind, this is not a matter that confuses the issue.
"If anyone does not provide for his own he has denied the faith" (1 Timothy 5:8).
Buying insurance may be somewhat of a pros and cons question that may confuse the issue though. Is it a gamble? On one hand it seems like insurance is relying on mankind instead of Jehovah Jireh, our Provider God. Yet, it is, in many cases, getting something in return for what you paid for IF the insurance company doesn't find loopholes to wriggle out of issuing rightful payment. Gambling only gives a small percentage of people any return, big or small amounts.
Looking out for the interests of others whether for health or life insurance when it is within a person's financial budget is a prudent practical way to show we don't pressure God in putting Him to the test. Provide but not in pride (James 4:13-16; 1 Timothy 5:8).
Jay Peroni wrote that 'Balancing Wise Planning and Faith in God," regarding buying insurance, shows proper planning. The goal of every protection plan should be enough to protect your family but not so much as to limit your dependance on God. I think that is well said.
Have you realized that the Bible doesn't say, "Thou shalt not gamble"? Some people conclude that then, how could it be wrong to gamble? They have licence to go all out, or do they? There are some principles of good stewardship we can glean from God's Word to help us see God's point of view in better light.
In 1 Corinthians 4:2 we're told it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. First Peter 4:10 echoes the thought.
"You should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful servants of God's grace in its various forms."
I very much doubt that those 'various forms' would include "charitable gambling" because one could still lose at a 50% chance or more, unless it's rigged, of course.
I believe these two verses would concur that gambling violates the principles of good stewardship. A secular defintion plucked from the online Dictionary - Oxford Languages, is that the job of stewardship is that of supervising or taking care of something such as an organization or property. Or, in context here, ones own family. From a biblical perspective, a theological definition is,
"utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation...managing everything God brings into the believer's life in a manner that honors God..."
How does this align with thinking that using your finances for any form of gambling is a non-issue? Are not the stakes rather high?
We are accountable for how we use our money and possessions since everything we have comes from the Lord (1 Chroncles 29:13-14). In my books, gambling would indeed violate principles of stewardship as well as the 'golden rule' as we see it in Matthew 7:12 and 22:39.
We are to do unto others as we would wish to have done to ourselves, loving our neighbor (in context - our own family members), as ourselves. We are reminded in Romans 13:10 that
"love does no harm to a neighbor".
Gambling stirs up greed and hoarding reflex and often empties ones coffers, leaving next to nothing to provide for ones family.
Or, if there was a win, the potential provision from another man or woman's family. We are not to covet another's possessions (that is a direct command in the Bible - Exodus 20:17). You can see that this does not seek another person's well-being. If one is gambling, the scenario is that the gambler is taking funds away from either ones own family or that of another's. This is not good stewardship, nor loving others. We cannot do things out of selfish ambition as it is not looking out for the welfare and well-being of others. This violates the golden rule big time (see Philippians 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:14-15).
In light of this, we could say that gambling is equivalent to stealing (Mark 7:20-23). One of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt not steal". Gambling sets up a person to take the opponent's goods. The outgrowth of this is covetousness, of which, in a follower of Jesus Christ, there should not even be a hint. These tendancies need to be "put to death" as greed is said to be idolatry in God's Word (Ephesians 5:3-7; Colossians 3:5-6).
There's that verse that is sort of well-known but is often misquoted. People say money is the root of all evil. This is incorrect. It is the
"love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil," [emphasis mine]
some of which is mentioned above.
Those who have a passion to get rich, quick, fall into "temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires" - vulnerable to scams, big time. These desires will "plunge people into ruin and destruction, leading them away from the Lord and truth". We do need to earn our provisions in wholesome ways but beware of loving money to the point of idolatry and addiction.
We need to work hard, earning little by little to provide for our family and to help the weak and needy, remembering that
"it is more blessed to give than receive" (Atcts 20:33-35).
A person who gambles, squandering their money and possessions will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul told the Corinthian believers that they used to be like this but because of their faith in Jesus Christ they were now,
"...washed, sanctified and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Praise the Lord for His redeeming and transforming work in their lives. The same salvation is open and available to one and all even today. Come to Jesus. Even if You are already a believer in Jesus Christ, seek the help you need to get yourself out of any destructive trap of gambling or any other type of addictions. Be only 'addicted' to Christ and living for His glory and honor. Amen. Be controlled only by the Holy Spirit, walking in step with Him and according to God's work (see 2 Peter 2:19; 1 Corinthians 9:2).
Paul did say he inflicted or beat his body to wipe out impurities. I do not believe this is literal as some religious affliates take to extremes. NO! I believe it is figurative - something like the idea of fasting, for instance - learning to subdue our appetites and passions; that is, the wrongful ones.
A Bible Hub website stated that 'our appetites should be our servants not our masters. They should follow and be led by us." One of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control. We are NOT to serve our lusts rather we are to bring them into subjection and have ascendance over them (BibleStudytool.com). In this way we can avoid gambling leading us to addiction and problem gambling. It may be a severe war we wage against such desires but with God, all things are possible.
If not, our influence as a Christian will be critically and negatively affected. Let us be the salt and light to our family, neighbors, and beyond. According to Matthew 5:13-16, salt that loses its flavor is thrown away. That does NOT mean a Christian would lose their salvation. NO! However, that influential testimony of being "Jesus" to the world, will be surely injuriously hurt. Take pains to do what is right in God's eyes, #1, and also in the eyes of our fellow-mankind, #2.
Remove oneself from the bad company that would corrupt us and our testimony of God Gambling will associate us with "buddies-in-crime". Such company only encourages and applauds continued bets and "fun", towards "greater gain" that more than likely leads to pocket drain, rather than gain (1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:11).
Focus on building up treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust diminishes our earnings. Walk the walk of the 'poor man' in blameless, God-fearing living. Don't be gluttons nor bring disgrace upon our family, rather be that good steward who provides for family and become a friend to the poor and needy. Earn just gain, not unjust gain (Matthew 619-21 and Proverbs 28:6-8).
The Bible indicates at least three legitimate and honorable measures of transferring money or commoditites. They are: law of labor (Ephesians 4:28), that is doing something useful in order to share with those in need. Secondly, the law of exchange (Proverbs 31:16) - that noble woman who could consider a field and buy it. The proceeds from her having planted and tended the vineyard were used to constructively finance her other wholesome pursuits, one of which she opened her hands to providing for her family and then to the poor. There was no squandering of funds, rather, responsible stewardship.
The third means is the law of love (Proverbs 17:8, Luke 14:12-14). That nobleman who invited his friends who refused his invitation to a banquet, turned then to the poor, lame, crippled and blind and so on. They came and were amply blessed. These were those who could NOT repay him! Good stewardship uses funds wisely and responsibly for the good of themselves and others.
I dare anyone to contradict me to say gambling falls under one or all of these categories of 'law'. I say it does not! Gambling is an ungodly pursuit of the law of wrongful worldly passions, desires and lust. We must live self-controlled, upright, godly, lives as we wait to be called home to Jesus.
Do we still believe that there is a teeny-tiny crack of loophole in which gambling could be 'ok'? I'd say along with Rob Harbison, who prepared a Bible study on the topic of gambling and on which this article has its backbone, that,
"gambling is either right or wrong in principle."
That is the black or white of it. No loopholes to justify any of the various forms that gambling takes. Whether you're talking professional, social or problem gambling, even for the sake of proceeds going to charity - all forms are all wrong. They are still based on wrong principles. They do not show that godly life and should not be encouraged in any way, shape or form.
I do not write to bash anyone over the head in self-righteous indignation. Hopefully, it is out of compassion and concern for others and their personal welfare and that of their families and neighbors. There are some Bible verses which can help us overcome the temptations to gamble, if we follow the wisdom and teaching thereof.
This 1 John 2:15-17 is a gem. What a great day it will be when,
"all our cravings will pass away"!
Until then, let us love our Heavenly Father and do His will, which lasts forever. We can get a head start in this today.
The writer of Romans gives the injunction to have no debts. If a gambler loses and doesn't have the funds to pay, he'll plunge deeper and deeper into debt. Or, if he wins, cause his neighbor to be indebted. As a Christian we are to fulfil the law of love and not harm our neighbor nor are we to covet another's possessions (Romans 13:8-10). Let God's Word guide you. Be led by the Holy Spirit and put to death the misdeeds of the body as sons of God should practice (Romans 8:13-14).
"Trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding."
Our own understanding can blindside us and deceive us into believing we have no problem - "Oh, I only gamble socially." DO NOT be fooled! Instead,
"in all your ways acknowledge the Lord and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
If we followers of Jesus Christ choose this right and godly path, or wish to change to His way, it may take some work to disentangle ourself from debt and wrongful desire but let's fix our goal, our eyes and lives, to acknowledging the Lord in our lives and do so with Him, doing all we do or say in the name of Jesus and giving thanks to Him ( Colossians 3:17).
Every good tree bears good fruit, which reminds me of the picture my sister sent me. It was a picture of a billboard ad for a certain kind of fruit drink. One caption said,
"Share fruitful moments."
I'll add, - make it good fruit.
In closing, I'll say that I have never believed gambling to be even in any respect a good pasttime but how could one back up this belief and dislike? This study of biblical principles as found in Scriptures, and as offering in this study has steered me in a good direction and enlightened me to better understanding, and defence. Whether we are young or old, God's Word is always sure and right and lasts forever.
Even when there is no direct reference to gambling per se, with a "thou shalt not," we can be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance as we read, ponder and meditate upon and obey God's Word day by day. This is a good desire to have. It must come from the heart of one devoted to the Lord and living to please and honor Him. In this way we can avoid ungodly addiction to gambling, we can extricate ourselves from such dependancy and become that influential salt and light in our world for Jesus. Let our only 'addiction' be to Him. Amen.
Father God, You know that any addiction of any kind can be a life long struggle against that fruit of Your Holy Spirit, self-control. We all need empowerment fromYour dynamic power through Him. I ask, that anyone reading this article who is battling such, will be galvanized to seek Your help and even the help of spiritually godly men and women (Your children) to help overcome and conquer that which does not please You. May we all actually be alert against ungodly passion and even unashamedly seek professional help if need be. Our hope is in You, Lord and Your mercy and forgiveness. I beseech You in Jesus' name.
~ERC May 2022~
Based on Moral Issues Facing the Church, Lessons by Rob Harbison.
See also: Morning Musings - Money Talks
Other references:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; Bible Hub; Bible Study Tools.com
Sing, I Surrender All to Jesus, along with Israel Houghton and Jesus, Your Mercy - The Glorious Christ Live, SovereignGraceMusic.
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