EDITOR’S NOTE: Gambling can be found everywhere in Kansas..whether it’s the lottery, bingo halls or casinos. The purpose of these articles is to offer readers useful information in determining whether they should participate.

If you’re looking for “Thou shalt not gamble” in the Ten Commandments, you won’t find it. In fact, The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does, however, offer many guidelines as to what our attitude towards gambling should be.

Gambling is defined by Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as "to play or game for money or other stake; to hazard; wager." Connected with gambling is the element of uncertainty, the chance of losing. Chance has been popularly defined as getting something for nothing without rendering service or exchange of goods. Gambling is based on the desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.

In a world of political correctness, many establishments and organizations refer to gambling as “gaming”…that sounds innocent and more like fun, doesn’t it. Gambling is compared to other forms of “harmless” recreation and it is offered as “just another” evening’s fun. This is where it starts for many, but gambling can soon become a controlling factor in your life. (We will explore the addictive issues of gambling in a future issue.)

Gambling is a difficult issue because if it is done in moderation and only on occasion, it is a waste of money, but it is not necessarily evil. People waste money on all sorts of activities. Gambling is no more or less of a waste of money than seeing a movie (in many cases), eating an unnecessarily expensive meal, or purchasing a worthless item. At the same time, the fact that money is wasted on other things does not justify gambling. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the Lord's work. Many charitable and religious organizations have offered gambling for years through “bingo.” Perhaps these socially acceptable forms of gambling have softened our overall view of gambling and the problems which it can cause.

Why do people gamble? Some people gamble because of the thrill they receive from the uncertainty connected with it. Others gamble because of their strong desire to obtain something for nothing, Others gamble because it makes an egotistic appeal to them to excel over others and win the rewards of the game.

Whether you gamble at a casino or any other “organized” gambling establishment, you are not gambling to win money from the organization. Their “profit” is assured by the pre-determined odds. The “house” will never lose in the long-run. You are, however, gambling to win money that was lost by your friends and neighbors.

The Bible has many examples where “lots” were used to make a decision. These casting of lots were merely used to give an equal opportunity to all concerned parties. As an example, casting lots is used in Leviticus to choose between the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat. Joshua cast lots to determine the allotment of land to the various tribes. Nehemiah cast lots to determine who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem. The apostles cast lots to determine the replacement for Judas.

We also know that the Romans cast lots for Jesus’ garments. John 19:24 “So they said rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it. This fulfilled the scripture that says “they divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing. So that is what they did.”

When there is no specific scriptural reference that an activity is “sin”, it is good to ask not whether a certain thing is wrong, but, rather, if it is definitely good.

1 Cor. 10:32 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Scriptures warn us to stay away from sinful and evil practices.

1 Tim: 6:11 “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Luke 12:15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Col 3:5 “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Scriptures warn us to stay away from the love of money

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness.”

Matthew 6:24 “”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 both God and money.

Scriptures also warn us to stay away from attempts to “get rich quick schemes.”

Proverbs 13:11, 23:5 “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time.”

Prov 28:22 “Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.”

There are far more beneficial things we can be doing with our money than losing it on gambling.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

.1 Tim 6:18-19 ”Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

We are instructed to “work” for our food and earthly possessions.            

Gen 3:19 “By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat.”

Eph 4:28 “If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.”

Prov 6:6; 12:11; 20:4 “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise.” “A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.” “Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.”

The greed (covetousness) that motivates individuals to gamble is sin.

Ex 20:17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

Eph 5:3, 5 “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” “You can be sure that no immoral, impure or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

We are instructed to trust in the Lord for all of our needs.

Prov 11:28; 15:16; 23:4-5 “Trust in your money and down you go. But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” “Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.” “Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.”

1 Tim 6: 17 “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment

Mat 6:25-27. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life. Whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in the barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “

Phil 4:19 “and this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus”

Prov 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

We are instructed to let nothing interfere with providing for our family.

2 Cor 12:14 “”Now I am coming to you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don’t want what you have.” I want you. After all, children don’t provide for their parents. Rather, parents provide for their children.”

Prov 15:27 “Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.”

We are instructed to be aware of the examples which we set for others.

1 Cor 10:31-33 “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to the Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.”

Romans 14:21 “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall”

Finally, remember that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and nothing else can be allowed to take priority over our conformity to His will. Is this activity beneficial for me or will it become my master? Will participation in this activity be constructive or destructive?” No habit or recreation or ambition can be allowed to have undue control over our lives; only Christ has that authority.