Gambling Is Good Or Not
Gambling doesn’t influence the society. This is a good method of relaxation for some people. After a hard working day, they come to a brick-and-mortar or online casino and relax. Some experts consider that this is a form of therapy allowing players to switch the attention. One reason is that is is potentially destructive. Gambling addiction is a real and serious thing, and more than a few people have ruined their lives and their families through gambling.
- Gambling Is Good Or Not Enough
- Gambling Is Good Or Not Allowed
- Gambling Is Good Or Not Good
- Gambling Is Good Or Not Working
- Gambling Good Or Bad
Six Reasons Why Gambling or Betting Is Not Good For You
Betting is the action of gambling money on the outcome of a race, game, or other unpredictable event. Gambling or betting provides the temptation of quick and easy riches.
Intermittently, our societies abound with temptations that endear even Christians to join the growing league of gamblers. Moreover, many people do not see anything wrong in betting.
Although, there is nowhere where it is written that; “thou shall not gamble.” But if you are truthful to yourself. You will find out that Biblical principles are against gambling and betting.
However, we shall consider the reasons why you don’t need to gamble or bet as a Christian. This article shall consider the reasons why betting is sinful from biblical perspective.
Wrong Misconceptions About Gambling
Some people use casting of lots in the Bible to rationalize their addictive betting habit.
Gambling Is Good Or Not Enough
During the time of Nehemiah as the Governor, people who should live in Jerusalem were chosen by casting lots (Neh 1:11).
Joshua distributed the land by casting lots in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord (Joshua 18:10). Also, the Apostles cast lots to determine whether to select Matthias or Barsabbas to replace Judas (Acts :23-26).
But why is it sinful for me to gamble? Besides, the Bible says;
Proverbs 16:33
[33]The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Gambling Is Good Or Not Allowed
Since the outcome of the lot comes from the Lord. Why is betting and gambling sinful?
Note this, the Israelites were instructed by God to cast lots to distribute lands (Numbers 26:55). More so, it was a normal practice for them to cast lots in Isreal to determine certain issues. Read 1 Chronicles 24:5, 31.
Important points
The people who cast lot in the Bible didn’t do so to get more money. They never did it with the expectation of getting quick riches.
Hence, we cannot possibly equate betting or gambling with casting of lots in the Bible. They are different. What the Bible is against is acquisition of wealth in an unjust and speedy manner.
Lots are cast to determine certain decisions not to make money.
Get rid of that misconception. Betting or gambling to acquire more money is sinful. It violates God’s principles of wealth acquisition.
Six Reasons Why Betting/Gambling Is Not Good For You
• It’s A Proof Of The Love Of Money
1 Timothy 6:9-10
[9]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.
If you don’t love money excessively, you won’t bet to acquire more money. People who practise betting are those whose love for money is extensively high.
One of the temptations and snares people who want to get rich fall into is betting. There are Christians who find it absolutely difficult to give to the needy. But they prefer to put their last little remaining money on gambling.
Truly, betting is a proof of the love of money. And the Bible frowns on this. Whoever wants riches should work hard pray and be patience.
• Violation Of Kingdom Principle Of Wealth Creation
Proverbs 13:11
[11]Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
In the Kingdom, wealth is gotten through labour. And wealth is gotten little by little not once and for all. Gambling is against biblical principles of wealth creation.
To you, you might prefer betting as a good means of making money. But the practice defiles God’s Word. Its purpose is not in consonant with the Word of God.
Yes, the purpose is to make money. But how do you explain a situation whereby a man bets #500 and wins 20,000 without working?
Before, a man can win such amount of money, many people would have lost theirs. That’s why many betting companies are increasing in Nigeria and other developed nations daily.
• It Encourages Quick Money Making Syndrome
Proverbs 28:20
[20]A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that MAKETH HASTE TO BE RICH SHALL NOT BE INNOCENT.
Here, what the verse means is this; whoever is hasty to get wealth is not innocent/sinless. In other words, making money in a very quick and easy way is sinful.
No wonder our generation is driven by money. Many of our youths are engrossed with the thought of becoming like Dangote/Otedola or Trump in one day.
Dear friend, if you really want to make good money.
Sustainable wealth is not made by betting. No matter what you think, you can’t build an enduring and sustainable wealth through gambling.
• Gambling Leads To Addiction
Ecclesiastes 5:10
[10]HE THAT LOVETH SILVER SHALL NOT BE SATISFIED WITH SILVER; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Although, there is nothing one cannot be addicted to. One can be addicted to porn, football, books or phones.
Meanwhile, people can also be addicted to gambling. There are people who can use their spouse to bet. And there are those who can use their newly-bought car to bet.
For instance, you may start your betting journey with #200 and end up betting a huge amount of money.
Frankly, that’s why you cannot leave your money in the hands of some people. Because if you do, they will use your money to bet.
Gambling Is Good Or Not Good
• Proof Of Covetousness
Gambling Is Good Or Not Working
Luke 12:15
[15]And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Statistically, many of those who are chronic gamblers today started through covetousness. When you want to become a billionaire overnight, then, betting is your last resort.
Once again, it’s a proof of covetousness and greediness. Your life does not consist in the abundant of things that you have.
Leave your friends alone if they are doing it. But be determined to stand out as Daniel determined in his days.
• It Promotes Laziness
2 Thessalonians 3:10
[10]For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
God’s Word says, if anyone would not work, s/he doesn’t deserve to eat. That’s the principle. Those who work should be the one to eat.
Sadly, you can possibly eat and have more money without working if you’re a gambler. And this contradicts the Word of God.
Again, betting promotes laziness. Today, there are some youths who will sleep all day and walk about aimlessly. Why? Because they are sure that they will definitely win.
Let’s work! Say no to gambling! Don’t twist the Word of God because of your circumstances.
I know the Nigerian government is not employing some of our graduates. But we should not disobey God’s Word because of our situations and circumstances. Pray to God for help and start doing something.
God bless you all!
Please, let me know your thought after reading this article. If I have offended you while reading this article. I’m sorry. That’s God’s Word for you.
Question: 'Is gambling a sin? What does the Bible say about gambling?'Answer: The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick” (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.
What is wrong with gambling? Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil. People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item. At the same time, the fact that money is wasted on other things does not justify gambling. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the Lord’s work, not gambled away.
While the Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, it does mention events of “luck” or “chance.” As an example, casting lots is used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas. Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast in the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
What would the Bible say about casinos and lotteries? Casinos use all sorts of marketing schemes to entice gamblers to risk as much money as possible. They often offer inexpensive or even free alcohol, which encourages drunkenness, and thereby a decreased ability to make wise decisions. Everything in a casino is perfectly rigged for taking money in large sums and giving nothing in return, except for fleeting and empty pleasures. Lotteries attempt to portray themselves as a way to fund education and/or social programs. However, studies show that lottery participants are usually those who can least afford to be spending money on lottery tickets. The allure of “getting rich quick” is too great a temptation to resist for those who are desperate. The chances of winning are infinitesimal, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined.
Can lotto/lottery proceeds please God? Many people claim to be playing the lottery or gambling so that they can give the money to the church or to some other good cause. While this may be a good motive, reality is that few use gambling winnings for godly purposes. Studies show that the vast majority of lottery winners are in an even worse financial situation a few years after winning a jackpot than they were before. Few, if any, truly give the money to a good cause. Further, God does not need our money to fund His mission in the world. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.” God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of the church through honest means. Would God be honored by receiving donated drug money or money stolen in a bank robbery? Of course not. Neither does God need or want money that was “stolen” from the poor in the temptation for riches.
First Timothy 6:10 tells us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Hebrews 13:5 declares, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Matthew 6:24 proclaims, “No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money.”