What do you think about gambling problems?

Gambling is HARM! Dont't play and other gambling games!

removed link due to spam. The message is good, but the intention to promote a sin is a no-no

[ March 23, 2005, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: Will ]

Good work, Will.

Seeing that this topic has been created, does the Bible have anything to say about gambling?

It is bad and can be adictive

The Bible doesn't come right out and say, "Thou shalt not gamble," but it gives plenty of principles that show we shouldn't do it.

- Gambling is creating a risk where there was none before, and risking material wealth (which belongs to God in the first place - 1 Chron. 29:14) to boot.

Matthew 4:7
"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

- Statistically, one out of every seven teenagers who gamble will become addicted. One out of 10 adults who gamble will become addicted too.

Exodus 20:3
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."

- Even if a particular individual doesn't become addicted to gambling, his/her example could possibly affect another person badly.

1 Corinthians 8:9
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak."

- Gambling creates covetousness in pretty much everyone who practices it.

Exodus 20:17
"Thou shalt not covet..."

Proverbs 15:27
"He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

Proverbs 13:11
"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."

- Casinos and lotteries get much of their money from those who can't afford to gamble, but do anyway due to compulsion or addiction.

Proverbs 22:16
"He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want."

- Further thoughts:

Proverbs 28:20
"A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent."

Proverbs 28:22
"He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

Isaiah 55:2
"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?"

2 Thessalonians 3:10
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

All in all, gambling's bad news! Even when done in a church's fellowship hall, with bingo cards.

No, the Bible does not say anything aganst gambiling directly, but there are things that are not good for one that are not mentioned directly in the Bible.

Prov:13:11: Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.


The Great Controversy, page 387, paragraph 3
Chapter Title: A Warning Rejected
Governor Washburn of Wisconsin in his annual message, January 9, 1873, declared: "Some law seems to be required to break up the schools where gamblers are made. These are everywhere. Even the church (unwittingly, no doubt) is sometimes found doing the work of the devil. Gift concerts, gift enterprises and raffles, sometimes in aid of religious or charitable objects, but often for less worthy purposes, lotteries, prize packages, etc., are all devices to obtain money without value received. Nothing is so demoralizing or intoxicating, particularly to the young, as the acquisition of money or property without labor. Respectable people engaging in these change enterprises, and easing their consciences with the reflection that the money is to go to a good object, it is not strange that the youth of the state should so often fall into the habits which the excitement of games of hazard is almost certain to engender."