Should Christians engage in Gambling?

MY BIBLICAL OPINION ON BETTING

By Ezekiel Kimosop

There is considerable debate as to whether a Christian should engage in betting or gambling.

I am hesitant to admit that gambling is a biblical practice.

Several passages of Scripture praise hardworking people and condemn laziness.

I find 1Corinthians 6:19 to be relevant in the context that it would be ungodly for believers to engage in practices that put into question their moral and spiritual standing in Christ.

By engaging in betting, a believer is guided by the "win factor" and opts to resign his success in life to mathematical probabilities rather than the prudence of investing his resources in a gainful way that glorifies God.

Then there is the addiction factor in betting. The more a person engages in this practice, the more they are convinced that they are closer to the jackpot. This is where the deception lies!

Many gamblers face this disturbing reality and even what may appear as a casual stroke of picking a lottery ticket may eventually draw someone into the dark city casinos!

MY SCRIPTURAL OPINION

I find the following Scriptures relevant to this debate:

1) Proverbs 14:12 says that there is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death.

Few gamblers can convincingly argue that they have sought the guidance of God when drawing into gambling or betting. It is an impulse thing for many to bet.

2) 2 Thessalonians 3:12 teaches that believers are to "work in quietness and eat their own bread". 

Paul actually warned the Thessalonians against idleness saying that he had received reports that some among them were busybodies, not working at all but living off the sweat of others.

In fact I would encourage that one read the entire passage of 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.

3) 1Timothy 6:6-10 teaches that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

The same passage warns in 1Timothy 6:9 that "those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition" (NKJ).

This Scripture does not suggest that financial prudence and investment is ungodly for believers as some claim. It simply sounds a warning that the "get quick rich" mentality is self destructive because it often leads people away from Christ.

Those who gamble throw away their hard earned sweat to probability. Only a "lucky few" make it to the jackpot listing!

So what motivates people into engaging in betting or lottery?

It is the unbridled desire to get rich without working for the success that comes with it. Someone said that the only place where success comes before work is in the English dictionary. How true!

Is it any wonder then that most gamblers lead miserable and lonely lives?

The truth is that in their snare of addictive and impulsive habits, anything that stands between them and the jackpot dream is considered an obstacle.

Many gamblers ignore their family responsibilities and waste away their assets in pursuing the elusive jackpot dream that never comes to pass.

My concluding view is that betting or gambling by any other name is unbiblical and believers have no business engaging in such.

Our God has promised that He will bless the work of our hands and provide for us by guiding our efforts so that we can lead descent godly lives to His glory.

This is not to suggest that seeking or acquiring riches is evil or ungodly in itself but that the unbridled or uncontrolled desire for quick riches is what has destroyed and has destroyed the faith of many (cf James 4:1-5).

How should believers view gambling?

My answer to this is simple: keep away from the snare of gambling or betting and you will be safe.

We should be contented with God's blessings as we engage in meaningful income generating activities.