Is gambling unbiblical?

[geauxsaints]

Having a hard time finding a verse that condemns it or looks at it in a bad light. The only thing I can fingd is when they gambled for His robe at the cross.

A little help would be much appreciated

[David L]

I don't think you can find scripture on gambling. Even though the bible may not address each and every specific topic, the principles are there in Proverbs or in other books of the bible that cover a wide variety of topics. I am sure that if you dug you would find a verse or a few that the Lord would speak to you through about this topic.


You can address the principle of stewardship with your finances. We will give an account of our stewardship in regards to our finances. Galatians 5 states that the fruit of the Spirit is self control. Gambling is something that because our fallen human nature can become dangerous and get out of control. I wouldn't recommend it but for some reason I still can't stop playing Spades on-line. lol (....and no I am not gambling either I just play for fun with other people - no money involved)

To me, I would liken it to say pornography. One might say that there is nothing wrong with looking at women in swimsuits. There in swimsuits. However, if you are exposed to it long enough or attracted to the model you will take it a step further and look for women in something more seductive or more revealing. Eventually, you find yourself in full blown pornography shelling out money for a 3 day subscription at $3.99. You see where this is going? Stay away from it....


I would look at the motive behind the desire to gamble carefully. One could argue that investing money in the stock market is a form of gambling. When I openly share the gospel I am taking a gamble in order to gain a soul for Christ. Again, look carefully at the motive for gambling. Is it greed? Wickedness? Galatians 5 tells us that greed is a deed of the flesh.

I have never seen anything good come from the life of a man who gambles for money. The love of money is the root of all evil. Not the money itself but the love of money.

[Lookfortruth]

Great post David L

[qb0987]

How about speculating in stocks?

[Passion]

My husband and I used to go to the local casino occasionaly. One of the last times we went was probably about five years ago. I was a Christian, but he wasn't yet; however, I had enjoyed gambling now and then, including a couple of trips to Reno, since I was eighteen; and since I'd never had a problem with it (as in addiction, or even losing lots of $$ --I've always been a "cheap" gambler! ), I didn't see anything wrong with going, although I wasn't really excited about it, either. I was a bit worried about my husband, though, as he tended to get carried away. Anyway, we played the slot machines for awhile, and being the cheapskate gambler I was, I pretty much played the nickel and dime machines. In no time at all I had won about $30.

Woohoo, fun, right? Nah. I was bored to tears--something I had never, as a non-Christian, experienced while winning money! I kept playing though, since my husband and his brother and sister-in-law weren't ready to leave yet; lost about ten bucks of my winnings, and then quit while I was ahead. In our state they don't allow the machines that make those lovely sounds of falling coins--you're issued a card at the beginning and it's all done electronically (part of the reason I was so bored, no doubt! No ka-ching!) When we left I still had $20 on my card, as we planned on returning, so I thought I'd just use my winnings then.

I found that silly card the other day, after all these years. We never went back to that casino (this is probably why my rip-off state won't allow slot machines that drop change--they know that a lot of people will lose their cards, or never make it back to the casino; and after a certain number of days, the casino gets to keep the $$ you never claimed). We went to a couple of others since then (the last time was about three years ago, since my husband's become a Christian), and darned if we weren't both bored to tears--besides losing money!

Win or lose, it's just no fun for us anymore, and I suspect the Holy Spirit had a hand in that! And I think it's like David L said--about stewardship and all that. We've been through financial hell in the past due to poor stewardship (more like no stewardship!), and God letting us reap what we sow, so why would we want to add insult to injury by gambling? As for me, if I were a poker player, which I'm not, I wouldn't have a problem with sitting around with friends and gambling with a few bucks worth of change from our change jar, but that would be about the extent of it.

A few things to take into account on deciding whether to gamble or not, are, where would you be doing it? What kind of atmosphere is it; what are the patrons like, and what are they doing besides gambling? Is it a place where, if Jesus were to show up in person while you were there, would you be embarassed or feel guilty? Or would you be o.k. with it? And, how much are you gambling with? Is it small amounts that, if it were to fall out of your pocket, you wouldn't even miss it, or it something more substantial? And how does winning and losing personally affect you? If you win, do you immediately want more and more? If you lose, do you get into the mindset of "they took my money! I'm gonna' get it back no matter what!" (this used to be my husband's problem. Ugh.)? these are all good things to ponder, and answer honestly. And most importantly, what is the Holy Spirit saying to you when you ponder all this? What is He saying when you're actually gambling? As Paul said, "all things are permissable, but not all are profitable" (I can't remember the book or verse exactly, sorry. But you get my drift.).

It seems to me I've read something in Proverbs that has to do with the folly of get-rich-quick schemes, and that whole get-rich-quick mentality (although of course, that's not how Solomon refers to it! )....but as usual, I can't remember which one. Anyone know?

[simplemod400]

There's a woman that I work with that I constantly talk to. Her husband is a preacher, and both seem faithful and steady in the word. Several times have I asked her something specific trying to find scripture, and like this gambling case, there's not always scripture that is specific to the question. Many times has she told me if you have to try to justify it, more than likely you shouldn't be involved in it.

[Abbershay]

gambling is a strange thing many can play and not be a problem at all. But some get hooked rather fast.

It is a sickness , many people lose everything they own. To sit at a machine for days at a time. There is no way they will ever come out of it yet they still play.


This really isnt much different than a drug addict exept the government doesnt care for these people.

The effects of depression that go along with gambling can cost lives and yet it is hidden from everyone for the most part.


They have a real deal going these casinos , no one ever advertizies when they lose but when they win they tell everyone. Cant lose word of mouth ads like that.

[Salty Skipper]

How about speculating in stocks?

I you have extra money to invest, stocks are not gambling, provided that you know what you are doing. A stock is a fraction of a company, therefore when you purchase stocks you actually "own" a piece of the business. Buying and selling your part of the businesses is no sin.

If somebody just goes out, willy nilly, and starts throwning money around in the stock market without doing their homework, it would certainly be foolish as you could lose everything, but I don't think it's gambling. If somebody has scriptures to show me otherwise, I would be interested in seeing them.

[qb0987]

How about speculating in stocks?

I you have extra money to invest, stocks are not gambling, provided that you know what you are doing. A stock is a fraction of a company, therefore when you purchase stocks you actually "own" a piece of the business. Buying and selling your part of the businesses is no sin.

I really doubt this "ownership" thing. It is something Wall Street played it up with. If the company goes under, you get nothing. Just think Enron. Besides, the stock price is almost not related to the real value of the company. It has a lot to do with perception of growth. Just think: if a healthy company earns a good profit, but shows no or insufficient growth, the stock price drops. The price of stock also depends on how much money people are putting it into stocks. If everyone takes their money out, the stock crashes, independent of the value of the company.

If somebody just goes out, willy nilly, and starts throwning money around in the stock market without doing their homework, it would certainly be foolish as you could lose everything, but I don't think it's gambling. If somebody has scriptures to show me otherwise, I would be interested in seeing them.

The Bible never talks about video games, internet, discussion forums like this, driving cars, electricity, either, etc.

[qb0987]

I started gambling when I was about 8! My Mom would gamble with neighbors and friends, and I would stand in for her when it was time to for to cook dinner. I was good at it......

Fortunately, I developed a passion for books and study instead. My parents continued to gamble throughout their lives. When my father passed away, he left behind a gambling debt of about $10K (which was a lot for my family) which we had to pay off.

[Salty Skipper]

How about speculating in stocks?

I you have extra money to invest, stocks are not gambling, provided that you know what you are doing. A stock is a fraction of a company, therefore when you purchase stocks you actually "own" a piece of the business. Buying and selling your part of the businesses is no sin.

I really doubt this "ownership" thing. It is something Wall Street played it up with. If the company goes under, you get nothing. Just think Enron. Besides, the stock price is almost not related to the real value of the company. It has a lot to do with perception of growth. Just think: if a healthy company earns a good profit, but shows no or insufficient growth, the stock price drops. The price of stock also depends on how much money people are putting it into stocks. If everyone takes their money out, the stock crashes, independent of the value of the company.

If somebody just goes out, willy nilly, and starts throwning money around in the stock market without doing their homework, it would certainly be foolish as you could lose everything, but I don't think it's gambling. If somebody has scriptures to show me otherwise, I would be interested in seeing them.

The Bible never talks about video games, internet, discussion forums like this, driving cars, electricity, either, etc.

I am well aware that the Bible does not speak directly of the stock market. Also, there are dangers of dealing in stocks, BUT, I also said that a person must know what they are doing. If they don't understand what they are getting into, they shouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Doing business comes with inherent risks. If a person starts a business, say selling shoes, and goes belly up...is that gambling?

[qb0987]

Wow! Stock market just went down 500 points. Nothing changed in the companies, just fears and rumors from China.

BTW, I do know about stocks ... I will actually read and understand the earning statements (and every piece of legalease that I have to sign. I'm a rare animal, I admit). My problem is with the ethical nature of stocks itself, and in particular, the activity of shorting.

[Salty Skipper]

BTW, I do know about stocks ... I will actually read and understand the earning statements (and every piece of legalease that I have to sign. I'm a rare animal, I admit). My problem is with the ethical nature of stocks itself, and in particular, the activity of shorting.

Hey, qb0987. I didn't mean to imply that you didn't know about stocks. I don't know a whole lot myself, just a little. I do a bit of investing now and then, and have at some points been really into it. I didn't gamble the money I had because I'm a very conservative investor.

I adhere to the belief that the ability to invest is a good thing, but I also believe that people need to know what they are getting into. For some people, investing in stocks could be considered gambling because they 1) Don't understand stocks, 2) Can't really afford to weather the losses, 3) Are looking for 'easy money.' I do not think that investing in stocks, whether long or short, should be viewed any differently than investing in any other sort of legitimate business. Also, many people who choose to invest in stocks invest in mutual funds. That is the route many financial councellors advise (including Dave Ramsey) for long term gains.

I also view shorting a stock as a anchor for the market. Without that anchor, the market would be really, really out of whack and a short term, expected correction could turn into another depression era free fall. Shorting isn't for the faint of heart, but by placing the proper orders, just as for going long, a person should be able to minimize any losses.

For some, investing in stocks could be considered gambling if they are looking for quick, easy money. For people who are willing to do their homework and educate themselves, it's simply not gambling any more than any other business venture. I also have a bricks and mortar business. Any business can be a risk, but without business, where would we be? That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

[redeemed1953]

Anything that takes your eyes off the PRIZE and puts them onto yourself is "unbiblical".

Who owns you?