Many people who are involved in gambling always think that is a business or a quick way of overcoming poverty or abject penury. They always say that gambling and betting are professions that take care of them and their families. Can you specifically say that the Bible supports gambling and betting, or another lottery? Can we find the games in the Bible at all? The answers cannot be specifically answered but there is a likeness in the Bible where some lots are cast. The Bible may not directly mention the word gambling, but it mentions the words “chance or luck”. The words “casting lots” were mentioned several times to confirm things in the Bible. It was used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Nehemiah too cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. Joshua cast lots to assure the land to various tribes. The Apostles cast lots to assure the replacement for Judas (Proverbs 16: 33; Joshua 18:9–10; Job 6:27; Psalm 22:17–18; Proverbs 13:11; Jonah 1:7; Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; Luke 16:13). Gambling and betting are so addictive that you may be deceived to exhaust all your money if care is not taken. It may be fun but gambling and any other lotteries are sins. As sins grow over time, gambling and betting grow until you exhaust your financial purse. Let us discuss what the Bible says about, if not precisely gambling and other lotteries, money greed, and dishonesty of getting financial wealth.
Gambling and betting are covetous.
Read and meditate on Exodus 20:17 and Ephesians 5:3
The Bible warns against covetousness and greed. When the Bible teaches against covetousness and greed, it means that we should not hurt our neighbors with our greedy and covetous minds. When you gamble and bet, you are greedy for your friend’s money and possessions. Read Exodus 20:17; 1 Timothy 6:10; Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:15
Gambling and Betting lead to destruction.
Read and meditate on 1 Timothy 6: 9-10
Though the Bible may not directly condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery, it warns us against the love of money and that we should be contented with what we have. (Hebrews 13:5.) The aim of getting rich quickly with gambling will result in temptation. It is like a trap that will catch the greedy. Gambling is an over-ambition to earn quick money. It is addictive to money. The result for the greedy is to ruin households while the one who hates bribes will live. Read Ecclesiastes 5:10; Romans 12: 2; Proverbs 15: 27.
Gambling and betting lead to sins.
Read and meditate on James 1: 14-15).
There is no how you involve yourself in gambling and betting that you will not involve yourself in covetousness, alcohol, or prostitution which means sins. It is so common that those who are addicted to gambling and betting live in drunkenness and prostitution. Most of the people who play casinos promote sexuality and women and this leads to sin. Read Mark 7:20–23; Mark 8:36.
Gambling is a sign of serving two masters
Read and meditate on Ecclesiastes 5:10 and Luke 16:13
The Bible explains that those who love money and wealth are never satisfied because their greedy minds take away the money of their neighbors and friends. The Bible continues that those who are too greedy for money are serving two masters. And the Christians cannot serve two masters. It is either you serve God or money. So, gamblers are too greedy for money. Read Matthew 6:24; Proverbs 15:27.
Gambling and Betting head people to poverty.
Read and meditate on Proverbs 28:22 and Proverbs 21:5
The greedy nature of people to get rich quickly makes people involve themselves in gambling and betting. Most gamblers donate money for betting without the intention to cleverly steal their neighbor’s money. Most people who are involved in casinos and other lotteries lose money that could have been used for paying bills. This equally wastes God’s money on evil, similar to stealing. The game will eventually get people involved in poverty. Read Proverbs 28:20; Proverbs 21:5; Proverbs 22:16; Proverbs 28:22.
Gambling and betting contradict the Biblical Standards.
Read and meditate on Ephesians 4:28
The Scripture teaches us hard work, gambling teaches us the opposite. Many of the people who play the lottery do no work and they are poor. Gambling and betting destroy something that God intended for his people. God intends to work and be honest with one another. But gamblers and bet gamers intend to steal and be dishonest with themselves. Also, God wants us to give one another but Gamblers and bet gamers intend to receive rather than to give. Read Acts 20:35; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 28:19.
Gambling and betting are the deceit of Satan.
Read and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:22 and John 2:14-16
Many people do not know that gambling and betting satanic deceptions can deceive people until they land in poverty. You will begin from the little amount until you exhaust and empty your financial purse. It is so deceptive that people are still transacting the businesses and trading in the house of God, even, those who are supposed to understand that it is not godly. Many Christians today are gamblers and bet gamers. It is a deceptive way of cheating other people. Read Isaiah 65:11.
Gamblers and bet gamers are not trusting in the Lord.
Read and meditate on Proverbs 3:5 and (1 Timothy 6:17).
The people involved in gambling and betting do not trust God for riches and financial blessings. They think they can only make it by deceptively getting other people‘s money. If you trust God for needs and provisions, you do not need to be involved in gambling and betting. Do not trust in cheating people or stealing goods of other people, but in the Lord for all things. Read Proverbs 3:7; Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 25:8-9; Psalm 25:8-9; Psalm 62:10.
Gambling and betting are dishonest ways of acquiring money.
Read and meditate on (Proverbs 13:11.)
The Bible may not directly mention the word gambling, but t mentions the words “chance or luck”. The words “casting lots” were mentioned several times to confirm things in the Bible. It was used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Nehemiah too cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. Joshua cast lots to assure the land to various tribes. The Apostles cast lots to ensure the replacement for Judas. Read Proverbs 16: 33; Joshua 18:9–10; Job 6:27; Psalm 22:17–18; Proverbs 13:11; Jonah 1:7; Matthew 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:34; Luke 16:13.
Conclusion
You may agree with me that gambling and betting are chances. It is a way of getting money from your neighbors unwillingly. Even gambling is not good for your health. Gambling and betting cause tension that may lead to hypertension. In gambling and betting, you spend money for nothing. No one can predict right until the end of the game. Instead, you have to trust God for provision. When you trust Him, nothing is by chance but by sure God will provide your needs at the appointed time. Satan will silently say You can have a chance now, roll more dice to win, and become quickly rich. But God will gently say work hard and trust me to get rich.
