Gambling is a risky action that involves getting gain from the loss of others. Over 80% of Australian adults are said to be gamblers, which is also the highest rate in the world. 75% of adults gamble in UK and 80% of American.
Approximately 1.6 billion people gamble across the world during any given year and over 4.2 billion gamble at least once every year.
It is a shocking revelation that some Christians take part in lotteries, slot machines, horse or dog racing, Irish sweepstakes, roulette wheels, poker, flipping a coin, church bingo, and sport betting.
Gambling in the Church
Gambling is an ancient practice of the unbelievers, but it was not embraced by the early Christians.
It is unfortunate that the love of money is everywhere, and some elders thought that the easiest way to raise fund for the church project is through church bingo and lotteries.
“Is it a godly idea to rob Peter to pay Paul?”
There is no verse in the Bible that supports gambling. So, Christians seeking money to enjoy a good life or for the propagation of the gospel must not engage in gambling.
The Wisdom of God does not support gambling because Proverb chapter 14 verses 23 say: “In all labour there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty”. Proverbs chapter 28 verses 19 say: “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!”
Gambling and Lots
Devil deceives some Christians that betting is the same as the use of lots in the Bible. It is a misconception of the scriptures!
Casting of lots is to seek for direction or important decision, and it is determined by God. The use of lots in the Bible is not the same as gambling. Proverb chapter 16 verse 33 says: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD“.
Prayers and casting of lot were used to select Matthias as an Apostle. Act chapter 1 verse 26 says: “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Casting of lots has nothing to do with risking your money or valuables. Casting of lots was used to decide matters without partiality, so, it has nothing to do with loss or gain.
For example, the promise land was shared for the Israelites through casting of lots. Joshua chapter 18 verses 10 say: “Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD, and there Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to their divisions.”
The arrival of the Holy Spirit as the Counsellor ended the casting of lots among the Christians.
Is Betting an Investment?
Please don’t be deceived by the pit manager, because the risk involved in gambling is not the same as any business investment. And every business has a projected profit, but gambling is all about an uncertain chance of gain or loss.
Business investment involves professionalism, but gambling is all about luck. Business involves hardworking which is scriptural, but gamblers are interested in quick money without sweat. When you invest your money in business, then risk is averted. If you gamble your money, then you are a risk-seeker. Don’t consider gambling as a form of investment!
Is Betting Spiritual or Entertainment?
Some rich gamblers claim that gambling is for fun. How could someone engage in a trend of spiritual bankruptcy and refer to it as recreational activity?
The spiritual reality of gambling is worshiping gods of luck and fortune. Isaiah chapter 65 verse 11 and 12 say: “But you are those who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, And who furnish a drink offering for Meni. Therefore I will number you for the sword, And you shall all bow down to the slaughter; Because, when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”
‘…prepare a table for Gad (god of fortune) …drink offering for Meni (goddess of fortune and numbers)’. This description best described those who prefer to enjoy drinking and playing games at the casino than enjoying God’s presence.
Profit of Gambling
The covetousness of money is the driving force of the gamblers. The trick in gambling is that you can become a millionaire in a moment. But a winner at this moment can become the biggest loser in the next moment.
The ‘profit’ of gambling includes;
- Addiction
- Chasing Holy Spirit away
- Torments by spirit of Mammon
- Stealing
- Lying
- Poverty
- Family crisis and divorce
- Alcoholism
- Committing fraud
- Lack of personal time with God
Gambling is a good weapon of the devil to distract Christians from cordial relationship with the LORD.
Gamblers are not trustworthy steward to the Lord, because their money and valuables are not expected to be placed on the ungodly altar of luck. I want you to belief that gambling is one of the devices of Devil. You must not be carried away by the attractive attribute of gambling.
