Is gambling a sin?

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TonyChanYT

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:

28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Titus 1:

8 But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
 

Randy Kluth

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:


Titus 1:


Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
Even lottery tickets can be, under the right conditions, a way of contributing to your state's debt problem. Some states have used the lottery to pay down its debts.

Gambling is a worldly form of entertainment. I don't get upset with Christian friends who visit a casino and entertain themselves on the chance they will win some money. If they do this regularly, I think they are becoming too much like the world. But we do live in the world and must not become so insulated from the world that we no longer experience discourse with them.

I completely agree with you that gambling, for the most part, is pure foolishness. I've been in places and have witnessed what it means for a head of household to enter a place where they've gambled away their family's entire monthly income. It's a dangerous addiction for some.

I've probably made some who used to go to our church mad because I referred to them, indirectly, as "casino Christians." Yes, it was a term of contempt because they had taken members of our church out on a "Christian outing," and led the group to visit a casino. I don't believe that was appropriate.
 

Jonar

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The Pokies is an online casino that offers a wide range of games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games. As a player at The Pokies, I appreciate the user-friendly interface and high-quality graphics that enhance my gaming experience. Additionally, the site boasts generous welcome bonuses and promotions that add value to my gameplay. A site guarantees fair play through the use of random number generators and encryption technology to keep players' information safe. With a variety of payment options available, including credit cards and e-wallets, depositing and withdrawing funds is convenient and hassle-free. Overall, The Pokies provides a professional and enjoyable online gambling experience for players seeking entertainment in a safe and regulated environment.
 
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Ziggy

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When I was in my 20's... ancient history lol,
I used to go to Bingo 3-4 times a week spending 40-50 dollars a night in the hopes of winning a $5 game.
It was more the getting out and being with people then it was the game, I told myself.
But after awhile the family began to suffer. I wasn't home enough for my daughter who was in school, and I worked all day, even on weekends.
Eventually I had to make a choice, family or self.
Quitting bingo wasn't easy. I did go through mild withdrawal symptoms. Pouting, feeling self-deprived.
But I had more money in the bank account.

I think some gambling for the appropriate reasons, maybe just socializing, or taking a break from the week grind, is ok.
But when it becomes an obsession and the more important things like family and paying bills and specially your relationship with God begins to suffer,
then it's time to hang it up and get back to the grass roots.

That's my experience and my opinion.
Hugs
 

Lambano

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Only if you lose.
On my only trip to Vegas, I won a $25 jackpot on the quarter slot machines pretty quickly - and that was probably the worst thing that could have happened, because it made me want to gamble more and more in search of bigger jackpots. Until my luck and my money ran out.

I don't even by lottery tickets anymore.
 

lforrest

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Proverbs 10 about ill-gotten gains?
 

The Learner

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The Bible does not explicitly point out that gambling is a sin. However, it is wise to have self-control, Proverbs 25:


Titus 1:


Can you stop gambling? Is it an addiction? If you gamble so much that you lose self-control, then it is sin.

Should a Christian buy lottery tickets?

I don't because I know the odds are against me.

If you do the lottery occasionally as a form of entertainment, I think it is fine. But if you think you can get rich by it, then it is not wise. The statistics are overwhelmingly against you.
10 Bible Verses About The Love of Money


1. 1 Timothy 6:9-11, NKJV

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

2. Luke 16:13-15, NLT

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.”


3. Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV

Whoever loves money never has enough;

whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.

This too is meaningless.”

4. Hebrews 13:5, AMPC

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.”

5. 2 Peter 2:14-15, ESV

“They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,”

6. 1 Timothy 3:2-3, NLT

“So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.”

7. 2 Timothy 3:1-5, NKJV

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

8. Matthew 6:24, ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for 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 God and money.”

9. Mark 4:18-19, NIV

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

10. Mark 10:23-27, NLT

The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler

“Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

 
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