Let’s begin with the definition of gambling. Truth suffers when we make weak or inadequate arguments. As Christians, we have to be very careful about our arguments. So we can easily see that the risk factor alone is not that which makes something sinful. When a man buys stock, he is taking a risk. When a farmer plants his crops, he is taking a risk. In Matthew 25, the man with one talent was condemned because he wouldn’t take a risk. That was especially so in the first century. When a man gets into his car to go to work, he is taking a risk. Someone might also say, “Gambling is wrong because of the risk factor.” That is not true. It would also be sinful for Christians to assist the poor and for the poor to accept help from the church. We are to work and make a living, but if that argument was taken at face value, giving and receiving gifts would be sinful. People say, “Gambling is wrong because the Bible teaches us that we are to work for our money.” Let’s look at several principles that deal with the issue, because arguments for gambling are very weak. The Bible does indeed teach that gambling is wrong. People have gone to the Scriptures seeking answers, but they say, “I can’t find a single verse that addresses the to pic.” It is true that there is no verse in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt not play Blackjack,” but it is not the case that the Bible does not address gambling. Gambling! Is it an innocent pastime, a way to fund education and help our community, an extra source of income? Or is it something with far-reaching consequences? Is it merely a recreational activity, or a serious moral problem? Some people think gambling is acceptable to God and some think it’s wrong.

For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (1 Timothy 6:10 and Hebrews 13:5). Gambling is often the result of coveting more wealth or items, which the Book of Luke warns about when it says, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15).Īvoid covetous thoughts and actions, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” and instead, “Let your conduct be without covetousness be content with such things as you have. The truth about gambling is that it goes against the Bible’s standards of righteous behavior - “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house…nor anything that is thy neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17).

Bible verses about gambling and betting