1. Is it ok for Christians to Gamble?
Sins of society
Is it ok for Christians to Gamble?

2. Gambling in our society
48 states permit or sponsor legalized gambling in one form or another
In 2013, Americans spent $119 BILLION dollars gambling (theweek.com, February 5, 2014)
2015 lottery sales in the U.S were Billion ( North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries)

3. Gambling in our society
An industry built upon sin!
Associated with vices –drinking, sexualization, worldliness, etc.
Crime often found associated with it
It can be an addictive behavior
Personal and psychological problems

4. The Christian & gambling
The Bible does not say, “You shall not gamble”
But, as with many actions, we need to weigh the principles of scripture and determine if it is something to be advocated or avoided (Heb. 5:14)

5. What is gambling?
Gambling – engaging in a game of chance with stakes
Compulsive gambling – is a disorder with the inability to resist the impulse to gamble.

6. What is gambling? Gambling is NOT: Simple risk Investing
Paying a fee to enter a contest
Drawing straws to see who goes first, etc. (unless stakes involved)
Buying insurance
Games with dice and cards

7. Gambling has 3 criteria:
What is gambling?
Gambling has 3 criteria:
Chance – a device that randomly determines a result
Consideration – aka, a wager. Stakes required to participate
A prize – winners and loosers

8. What is gambling?
Examples in the Bible:
John 19:23-24, soldiers gambled for the tunic of Jesus.
Judges 14:12, Samson poses a riddle with stakes

9. Gambling & Bible Principles
No a legitimate Biblical means of earning
Work, 1 Timothy 5:18, Ephesians 4:28, 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Barter or exchange – Matthew 13:45, 46
Gifts – Ephesians 4:28

10. Gambling & Bible Principles
Poor stewardship
We are stewards, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2
Gambling can lead to neglect and abuse of family, debt, waste of resources, etc.
The success of the industry is based upon your willingness to spend your money on it.

11. Gambling & Bible Principles
Poor stewardship
What about recreational (responsible) gambling? There is NO virtue in it as a hobby. If it is just a hobby, why not play the game without the stakes? There are other principles that conflict with it!

12. Gambling & Bible Principles
Works of the flesh
Covetousness – a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions, especially what others have or MORE than them! BDAG, the state of desiring to have more than one’s due, greediness, insatiableness…” Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 13:5

13. Gambling & Bible Principles
Works of the flesh
Greed – the selfish pursuit of gain. A desire to have more for yourself and less for others. 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 17-18, cf. Eph. 4:28
Question: Is gambling “uncertain riches”?

14. Gambling & Bible Principles
The “golden rule”
Matthew 7:12
Philippians 2:3-4
The premise of gambling is to put up stakes with the hopes that YOU win while the OTHER parties lose

15. Gambling & Bible Principles
The “golden rule”
Gambling has done great harm to society – teens with problems, crime – from murder to theft, drugs and prostitution, family problems, debt, increased likelihood of suicide, etc.

16. Gambling & Bible Principles
The “golden rule”
“But these problems don’t affect me.” If you win, HOW much of your winnings ARE a result of irresponsible and sinful behavior? Are you partaking in the sins of others? Romans 13:8-10 Ephesians 5:5-7

17. Gambling & Bible Principles
It can become an addictive behavior
We need to be cautious of anything that can be addictive.
We are to exercise self-control and soberness, both of which are forfeited with addictions.
1 Corinthians 6:12

18. Gambling & Bible Principles
It affects your influence on others
1 Corinthians 15:33, evil company corrupts good habits
Is gambling letting our light shine to glorify God? Matthew 5:13-16

19. Gambling & Bible Principles
It affects your influence on others
Your influence could negatively affect the gospel and others, cf. Galatians 2:13-14
We must consider others in what we do 1 Corinthians 8:12-13, Romans 14:15 Matthew 18:6-7

20. Gambling & Bible Principles
At best it is questionable behavior
Do you have any doubt? Romans 14:22-23
1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are to abstain from every form of evil Ephesians 5:11, Galatians 5:21 – “such like:

21. Justification for gambling
Look at the good it accomplishes
If it takes a vice to support a good work, what does that say about society? The end does not justify the means! Look at the problems it creates (as we have seen)

22. Justification for gambling
What about charities?
Consider the principles! Why not make an outright donation where the charity gets 100% of the donation?

23. Justification for gambling
What about wagering on a game of skill? (i.e. sports betting, etc.)
Consider the principles! It is still gambling. You are wagering on an outcome that has not yet been determined. Most such betting is odds based upon risk. Further, there is a reason those involved in a sport cannot gamble therein!

24. How is your influence in these matters?
Like many other worldly activities, gambling is simply not needed in the life of a Christian
How is your influence in these matters?