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What Does the Bible Say About Gambling and the Lottery? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Gambling and the Lottery?

Introduction

Gambling and the lottery are popular forms of entertainment around the world, but for many Christians, these activities raise ethical and moral concerns. While some may view these games as harmless fun, others see them as a gateway to addiction, debt, and financial ruin.

As Christians, it’s crucial to understand what the Bible says about gambling and the lottery to make an informed decision about whether to participate.

While the Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn gambling or the lottery, it does provide principles that relate to these activities. The Bible promotes principles of stewardship, honesty, contentment, and love for others.

As Christians, it’s essential to consider these principles when deciding whether to participate in gambling or the lottery.

In this blog post, we will explore the biblical perspective on gambling and the lottery, theological views on the topic, social and ethical issues related to these activities, and provide guidance for those who struggle with addiction.

Ultimately, Christians should consider the biblical principles related to gambling and the lottery and make informed decisions based on their convictions and personal circumstances.

We should be compassionate towards those who struggle with addiction and support programs that help individuals overcome gambling and lottery addiction.

We should also work to prevent the negative social and ethical implications of gambling and the lottery and promote biblical principles of honesty, contentment, and dependence on God.

gambling and lottery in the Bible

Understanding Gambling and the Lottery

Before diving into the biblical perspective on gambling and the lottery, it’s crucial to define what these activities are.

  • Gambling: The act of playing games of chance for money.
  • Lottery: A game of chance in which participants buy tickets with the hope of winning a prize.

Both gambling and the lottery are based on chance, which means that participants have no control over the outcome of the game. While some people see it as a way to make quick money, it often leads to addiction, debt, and financial ruin.

The Biblical Perspective on Gambling

Overview of the Bible’s Teachings on Gambling

The Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn gambling. However, it does provide principles that relate to gambling:

  • Stewardship: Christians are called to be good stewards of their resources (Luke 16:10-13). Gambling can lead to financial ruin and is a poor use of God-given resources.
  • Love for others: Christians are called to love their neighbors (Matthew 22:39). Gambling can harm individuals, families, and communities.

Examples of Gambling in the Bible

The Bible contains several examples of gambling, including:

  • Casting lots for Jesus’ clothes (John 19:23-24)
  • Gambling for the spoils of war (Joshua 7:16-18)

While the Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn these activities, they serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of gambling.

For instance, when soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothes, they were not only participating in the act of gambling, but they were also disrespecting Jesus in His death. Similarly, Achan’s act of taking spoils from the war as a result of gambling led to the defeat of the Israelites in their next battle.

Analysis of Biblical Principles That Relate to Gambling

The Bible contains several principles that relate to gambling, including:

  • Honesty: Christians are called to be honest in all their dealings (Proverbs 11:1). Gambling often involves deception and cheating. For example, gambling establishments often use tricks and illusions to make people believe they have a higher chance of winning than they do in reality.
  • Contentment: Christians are called to be content with what they have (Philippians 4:11-12). Gambling often promotes greed and discontentment, as participants hope to win big and become wealthy overnight.
  • Dependence on God: Christians are called to trust in God for their needs (Matthew 6:31-33). Gambling promotes the idea of taking matters into one’s own hands rather than relying on God. Christians should trust in God’s provision rather than hoping to make money through gambling.

The Biblical Perspective on the Lottery

Overview of the Bible’s Teachings on the Lottery

The Bible doesn’t mention the lottery directly. However, the principles that relate to gambling also apply to the lottery. Participants in the lottery hope to win a prize by chance, which means they have no control over the outcome of the game.

Examples of the Lottery in the Bible

The Bible doesn’t contain any examples of the lottery.

Analysis of Biblical Principles That Relate to the Lottery

The principles that relate to gambling also apply to the lottery. Christians should avoid participating in the lottery because:

  • It promotes the idea of getting rich quickly rather than relying on God for provision. Instead of trusting in God’s provision, participants in the lottery hope to make money through chance.
  • It can lead to addiction, debt, and financial ruin. Just like gambling, participating in the lottery can be addictive and lead to financial ruin.
  • It doesn’t align with biblical principles of stewardship and love for others. Christians are called to be good stewards of their resources and to love their neighbors. Participating in the lottery doesn’t promote either of these principles, as it can lead to poor financial decisions and harm individuals and communities.

Theological Views on Gambling and the Lottery

Christians have different views on gambling and the lottery. Some view it as harmless entertainment, while others see it as a sin. Theological perspectives on gambling and the lottery include:

  • Legalism: The belief that all forms of gambling and the lottery are sinful. Some Christians believe that any form of gambling is a sin, regardless of the context or situation.
  • Antinomianism: The belief that there are no moral absolutes and that gambling and the lottery are acceptable. Some Christians believe that participating in the lottery or gambling is acceptable as long as it’s not done excessively or doesn’t harm others.
  • Middle ground: The belief that some forms of gambling and the lottery are acceptable while others are not. Some Christians believe that participating in games of chance that doesn’t involve money, such as board games or card games, is acceptable. Others believe that participating in the lottery or gambling for entertainment purposes only and in moderation is acceptable.

Ultimately, Christians should consider the biblical principles related to gambling and the lottery and make informed decisions based on their convictions and personal circumstances.

Social and Ethical Issues Related to Gambling and the Lottery

Gambling and the lottery can have negative social and ethical implications. Some of these include:

  • Addiction: Gambling and the lottery can be addictive and lead to destructive behaviors, such as lying, stealing, and cheating, to finance the addiction.
  • Exploitation: Gambling and the lottery often target vulnerable populations, such as low-income individuals and those with gambling addictions. Lotteries, in particular, are often marketed to people who are struggling financially, creating false hope and potentially causing further financial harm.
  • Crime: Gambling and the lottery can be associated with organized crime and money laundering. Casinos, in particular, have been linked to criminal activity, including money laundering and human trafficking.
  • Inequality: The lottery often benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor, who are more likely to buy tickets and less likely to win. Lotteries have been criticized for taking advantage of low-income individuals and creating false hope for financial freedom.

As Christians, we should be concerned about these negative social and ethical implications and work to prevent them. We should also be compassionate towards those who struggle with addiction and support programs that help individuals overcome gambling and lottery addiction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible provides principles that relate to gambling and the lottery.

While it doesn’t explicitly condemn these activities, Christians should consider the potential negative consequences and whether participating aligns with biblical principles of stewardship, honesty, contentment, and love for others. We should trust in God’s provision and avoid relying on chance to provide for our needs.

As Christians, we should be aware of the negative social and ethical implications of gambling and the lottery, including addiction, exploitation, crime, and inequality. We should work to prevent these negative consequences and support programs that help individuals overcome gambling and lottery addiction.

Ultimately, our decision to participate in gambling or the lottery should be based on our convictions and personal circumstances while keeping in mind the biblical principles that guide our actions.

By living according to these principles, we can live a life that honors God and promotes the well-being of ourselves and our communities.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.