Whether you're talking about a state lottery, a local bingo game, or even pitching pennies, the fact still remains, wagering on uncertain events is wrong! In a lesson on gambling, there are two things that are very important to mention in the outset: If you are looking in your Bible for the “Thou shalt not gamble” quote, that quote is not found. However, the Bible does set forth certain principles that are clearly violated by the practice of gambling. What is wrong with wagering on casino games, participating in a state lottery, playing bingo and buying raffle tickets for profit? What is the sin of gambling?

It is through God’s design that we, through honest and honorable means, work to provide for our families: 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. II Thess. 3: Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Eph. 4:28.

Gambling is not the exchange of goods and services for profit. Gambling is simply the taking of others property with no service provided. Gambling does not promote the “WORK ETHIC”, it breeds laziness: God intends for us, by honorable means, to provide for our families, and gambling violates God’s principles! How many times have you seen someone needy spending the families money on lottery tickets? How many people are banking on moving on up, not through hard work, but on hitting it big? Ask yourself, is gambling making our society better or worse?

“Covetousness” (greediness) is a word that is not talked about very much in our society. And even worse than that, it’s not talked about much among God’s people. 21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 "All these evil things come from within and defile a man.“ Mark 7: Then one from the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?" 15 And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.“ Luke 12:13-15.

Why do people gamble? Is it, as some have tried to say, “a social event that I can enjoy with my friends.” If that’s true and the prize were taken out of the bingo game, the lottery, the raffle, How many would continue? Gambling is about one thing and one thing only, the desire and thrill of getting gain and wealth! How many lottery tickets do you think Missouri would sell tomorrow if they said, “No pay out today! All proceeds are going toward state revenue.” What are the advertisements for gambling interest? “play now, enjoy good times with friends and family”? No, the jack-pot this week is…

The fact is, the money that you and I have is our own possession, and we can do with it what we want. 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. Acts 5:1-5.

Many who try to justify their gambling say, “I am not taking away from my responsibilities, I only gamble with the extra money that I may have.” Is it true that all my responsibility to my family is met? If we try to make that argument, then I need to ask again, “Do I really have money to throw away?”

3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 "For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5 "But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" -- 6 'then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Matt. 15:3-6. But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. I Tim. 5:4.

Is it true that all my responsibility to my family is met? If we try to make the argument, then I need to ask again, “Do I really have money to throw away?” Is it true that all my responsibility to my fellow man is met? Many who try to justify their gambling say, “I am not taking away from my responsibilities, I only gamble with the extra money that I may have.”

Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Eph. 4:28. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Gal. 6:10.

Is it true that all my responsibilities to my family is met? If we try to make the argument, then I need to ask again, “Do I really have money to throw away?” Is it true that all my responsibilities to my fellow man is met? Is it true that all my responsibilities to God and my brethren are met? Many who try to justify their gambling say, “I am not taking away from my responsibilities, I only gamble with the extra money that I may have.”

1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. I Cor. 16: But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. II Cor. 9:6-7.

Is it true that all my responsibility to my family is met? If we try to make the argument, then I need to ask again, “Do I really have money to throw away?” Is it true that all my responsibilities to my fellow man is met? Is it true that all my responsibilities to God and my brethren are met? What should really happen with the money that I may claim to be extra? Many who try to justify their gambling say, “I am not taking away from my responsibilities, I only gamble with the extra money that I may have.”

If gambling is not an addictive, destructive, way of life, then why is there Gamblers Anonymous? Though there is no passage that says, “thou shall not gamble”, it is abundantly clear that gambling violates the principles set forth in God’s word… As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool. Jer. 17:11.