Is gambling a sin?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

No.

How does purchasing a lottery ticket really cause my brother to stumble?

My steak dinner may cause my brother to stumble if he's fasting-- even if I'm not around him and he doesn't smell the steak.

The knowledge that I am eating a fat, juicy steak could be temptation to him, if he dwells on that thought.

Do I now stop eating steak dinners EVERY TIME I have a brother or sister on a fast?


Come again!

1 Cor 8:11-13 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don't want to make another Christian stumble. NLT

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

1 Cor 8:11-13 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don't want to make another Christian stumble. NLT

So is asking about gambling, stating that you don't think it to be a sin, actually encouraging someone who thinks it is a sin to go and gamble?

JD thinks it's good to go to buy a lottery ticket-- I guess I'll go buy one too!

If we carry this thought out, it would be impossible to really live it out forever.


There are so many Christians who believe that baptisms are not valid UNLESS the new convert is baptized face first.

Should we change everything we do and make this our doctrine too because there are Christians who convicted that baptisms must be performed face first?


In questioning their mode of baptism, we cause them to think and then to doubt the veracity of their conviction. Are we sinning?

[mizpeh]

If new born Christians are looking to you for direction then you may have to deny yourself something that is not sinful to help them in their walk with God. So if the new convert was a gambling addict, I would not flaunt my winning lottery ticket in his face. If we consider the other person and walk in love towards that person, I don't see why we would even want to please ourselves when it comes to "iffy" things.

The discussion is about gambling not baptism.

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

"Nor trust in uncertain riches" is not necessarily condemning gambling.

This scripture seems to condemn trusting in money-- clear guidance that finds confirmation throughout the Bible.

If this is the only scripture we can attach gambling to, then I will continue to think gambling is not a wise thing to do, but not a sin.

1Tim.6: Amplified

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world;

8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).

9 But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.

10 For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many [e]acute [mental] pangs.

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.


Matt.6:24 NIV

24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

[Falla39]

In your opinion, would gambling fit into the catagory of godly living
or ungodly (worldly) living?

Falla39

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by Falla39

In your opinion, would gambling fit into the catagory of godly living
or ungodly (worldly) living?

Falla39

I hear you, Sis. And while I don't know that the scriptures explicitly teach that gambling is wrong, the principle is there, IMO.

Someone earlier in this thread stated that it should be okay as long as you have the disposable income and will not be leaving your family hungry or homeless. I COMPLETELY disagree.

We are given stewardship of the things (money included) with which God has entrusted us. If we really have that much money left over, I would wonder how many hungry we're feeding. How many naked are we clothing? How many missionaries are struggling just to live with the basics?

The love of money is the root of all evil. And gambling - lottery, Vegas-style, etc. - is all based in greed and wanting more money to buy more stuff.

[KWSS1976]

I just know that gambling boats and builings are in the business to make money not give it away so thats why I do not do it the odds just are not good enough..

[RandyWayne]

So does every cent that does not go to food, shelter, or clothing for us or our family need to go to the poor, needy, or hungry? If so, then the money spent on a vacation, painting for the wall, PAINT for the wall, landscaping expenses, etc, is just as wrong as money spent at the blackjack table.

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So does every cent that does not go to food, shelter, or clothing for us or our family need to go to the poor, needy, or hungry? If so, then the money spent on a vacation, painting for the wall, PAINT for the wall, landscaping expenses, etc, is just as wrong as money spent at the blackjack table.

Point well taken! I used a broad brush in my statements intentionally. I personally view these things as black-and-white. My views are my views, and I make no apologies for them. But should I expect everyone to see things the exact same way?

For something like this, where I already stated my opinion that there is no clearly explicit teaching from scripture about gaming/gambling, the principle is there. And, for me it would be sin to spend 'disposable income' on gambling. But now we're back to the same old "holiness standards" style debate. Principles need to be applied at a personal level - based on convictions and the leading of the Holy Spirit. If it's not explicitly in scripture, how can someone expressly teach it as sin on a global level?

[Jermyn Davidson]

The Believer's Freedom

23"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."[c]

27If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake[d]— 29the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? 30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.




This teaching is to help us keep our witness in the world from being unspotted.

So then, spending a week in Atlantic City and flaunting the $750,000.00 I just won to the man who I am witnessing to and happens to be struggling with a gambling addiction is not wise and is indeed SIN.


Going to the Circle K and purchasing $20.00 of lottery tickets and not flaunting it to the lost is not condemned.


And Why Should My Freedom Be Judged By Another's Conscience?