Gambling

[Tea Ess]

This is a very interesting topic and I am interesting I getting the opinions of everyone else.

I recently heard the opinion of a friend of mine. He is part of a godly, Biblical family. He explained that his aunt and uncle enjoyed gambling as a pastime or to have a fun evening. They had a separate bank acount for their gambling, took a certain amount of money per night, and never went over that limit.

While the Bible certainly doesn't endorse gambling, it doesn't condemn it either. As long as gambling doesn't take away from our Christian lives, it should not be a problem. Showing self restraint and having a Christ-like attitude may even help others.

Someone pointed out that gambling conservatively is similar to going to a movie. Whether or not the movie is wrong depends on the content and context of the movie. Gambling is not wrong I itself, spending the tithe or preventing God from using you would definitely hurt your relationship with Him. Also, the money spent on a movie might not be any less than money spent gambling. In that case, gambling might simply be a way to have an enjoyable evening with your spouse or friends.

Gambling is also similar to alcohol. Alcohol is not a sin in itself, but using alcohol in the wrong way can tear family's apart and leave lasting affects for generations. Alcohol used in moderation will probably never improve the quality of your life greatly, but it might be an enjoyable pastime. I have no interest I either of these things as of now, and I don't see how they could benefit me greatly, but that decision is between me and the Lord.

So, what are your opinions on gambling? Is it wrong all the time, or can it be used in moderation?

[Doll]

Personally, I feel that gambling is wrong, no matter the situation. I feel the same way with alcohol and tattoos. Perhaps playing the games that people use to gamble is okay with some people, even without gambling, but I feel that even playing those kinds of games is wrong.

However, I also have never been exposed to the idea of gambling being okay (save for one Get Smart episode, a rather funny one, actually), so I've always assumed that it was wrong.

I'm so glad that people post topics like this that get me thinking and making my own beliefs!

[Aaron Wiley]

1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.

I think it's probably just the same as drinking, smoking, or any other pass-time (even Odyssey). There's nothing morally evil about gambling, it's just very addictive and is easier to be "mastered by" than a lot of other activities (such as listening to Odyssey).

"Good things (things that are permissible) become bad things when you let them take over your life" - Aaron Wiley, Episode 38 of The Ceiling Fan Podcast.

[Liz'alike]

The Bible doesn't say anything about "though shalt not gamble", but I don't think it is beneficial, or being a wise steward of our money.
But then, you also look at the bible, and see that they would cast lots (John 19:24, Acts 1:26). That is gambling in a way...
So I guess my opinion is that I don't think it's a "sin" to gamble, in theory. But I don't think it's necessary to our existence as humans. What's the point?

[Aaron Wiley]

@Liz'alike Sure, but you can use that argument on any pass time. What about playing videogames, watching tv, going out to eat ice cream, climbing trees, or even board games? None of those are "necessary to our existence as humans", yet we still do them. Any activity we do just for fun could be classified as not being a good steward of our resources (time, money, food), but are they really? If so, does that mean God doesn't want us to ever have any "fun" in our lives?

[Liz'alike]

True... And good point. Nothing is "necessary", but I suppose, there wouldn't be any pleasure in life if we didn't indulge ourselves sometimes. But, we can still be productive and uplifting with our "fun" time.
I agree with your earlier point-

"Good things (things that are permissible) become bad things when you let them take over your life" - Aaron Wiley, Episode 38 of The Ceiling Fan Podcast.

-There has to be a happy medium... You can't just go out and waste your whole life in the casinos gambling away your money. But do I think playing a game of bingo is bad? or a card game? no, not really. Though, it's not something I choose for my self, I don't think it's a "sin". (Unless you let it consume your life, and all you do is gamble)
Then, you think on the other hand- why even tamper with it at all, if it could just become a problem? Plus, it could hurt your witness.
Then, I suppose you could take it around to "why do anything?", and "nothing is 'necessary'" again...

[Aaron Wiley]

I think you're right, it's definitely wiser to stay away from things like alcohol, gambling, smoking because they can take hold of you easier than a lot of other activities, I just don't think we should be condemning at all to the people who do take part in these activities in moderation.

[Liz'alike]

Oh, I completely agree! I'm not going to judge someone because they have a drink, or buy a lottery ticket. That's their choice as human beings.
I think the key word for this topic is, moderation.

[Doll]

On a related note, my youth pastor was talking about something related to this one time. He was saying how a girl (I think he said 16) saw him at a restaurant drinking. She was shocked, and went over there and told him that it was wrong to drink and why was he doing such a thing? He said that no, it wasn't a good idea for her to drink, she was underage, and even when she was above age, and still didn't feel that drinking was okay for her, he would completely agree and respect that. But ultimately, he felt that a little drinking was fine in moderation.

So, for me, personally, I feel that it is wrong, but I have no judgement for those who feel that it is fine.

[Wretched Sinner]

I don't really think Gambling is "wrong", but it is foolish and a complete waste of time.

[Aaron Wiley]

So, what happens when your mom uses that same argument on you about playing video-games Wooton?

[Wretched Sinner]

So, what happens when your mom uses that same argument on you about playing video-games Wooton?

Portal 2 is educational

[Tea Ess]

Personally, I feel that gambling is wrong, no matter the situation. I feel the same way with alcohol and tattoos. Perhaps playing the games that people use to gamble is okay with some people, even without gambling, but I feel that even playing those kinds of games is wrong.

However, I also have never been exposed to the idea of gambling being okay (save for one Get Smart episode, a rather funny one, actually), so I've always assumed that it was wrong.

I'm so glad that people post topics like this that get me thinking and making my own beliefs!

I was guessing that this would be your perspective.

The difference with gambling is that it is not specifically forbidden like tatooes are in the Bible. If gambling becomes squandering the resources Gid has made us stewards of, then it should be eliminated from our lives. If I place my trust or hope in gambling, then I should remove it from my life if it causes me to sin. If it in any way hurts my relationship with God, then it should be cut off and removed entirely.

However, if gambling does not do any of these things, then it should be permissible. Not encouraged or endorsed, but permissible.

The example my friend gave me was one I had never heard of before, and it has helped me tremendously when thinking about this.

Personally, I never plan to gamble, simply because I would rather spend money in other ways, and I don't want to give it the chance to become addicting or sinful, especially since I have no interest in it.

P.S. Wooton, please add something of substance to your post before it vanishes. Thank you!

[Aaron Wiley]

...The difference with gambling is that it is not specifically forbidden like tatooes are in the Bible.

lolwut? Since when are Tattoos forbidden in the Bible? Is this new or old testament?

[MaryBeth_13]

gambling is wrong. that's taking the money that God has lend-id to you and going off and wasting it, God whats us to be good stewards, and wasting our money like that is foolish

[SparkyHappyGiraffe]

Aaron, The Bible tells us not to mark our body.
And my point of veiw is that gambling is wrong if you continue to do it all the time. Just like if you continue to drink or smoke all the time. One example of gambling being okay if you only do it sometimes is when my Grandma decided to just try some gambling, she won some money, and decided to stop there. You see you have to know when to stop.

[Liz'alike]

To Aaron's question (because I wanted to answer it- though you weren't talking to me), it is in Leviticus 19:28. It is under the old covenant, and does not necessarily apply anymore (Since we are under the new covenant through Jesus).
Though, personally I don't care for or approve of tattoo's (like gambling, I find it unnecessary), I wouldn't consider it a "sin".
So if a brother or sister -in Christ- got a tattoo, I would think it was tacky and not care for it, but I wouldn't consider it "sinning".

[brittany k]

i think gambling is toatally wrong and i will never do it, and Aaron we have to have stuff like food, time and stuff like that that's a necessity we have to have that to live but gambling should not it's wrong God wants us to work for our money not gamble! i'm way against it, but that's my opioion sorry if i offened anybody!

[gabbygirl17]

I belive Gambling is wrong..
Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labor shall increase.
Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come on him.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Jonah 1:7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is on us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

-- Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:53 pm --

ambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard:

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4, NIV)

One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure. Gamblers may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lord’s work or to save it for an emergency, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player.

Gamblers covet more money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment:

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV)

[Joy]

Does anyone here have the opinion that Poker, without money, is not okay? I have played poker before, and it's a lot of fun.
I personally think that I wouldn't gamble, but like others said I wouldn't condemn anyone who did it. I know people that have done poker once or twice for money.