Gambling-The Odds Are Against You

Sometimes people choose to look the other way, when they know they are involved in risky behavior. We have seen, in the latter part of this century, a dramatic increase in the availability of gambling. Gambling can be found in Las Vegas, of course, but it can also be found in small towns such as Cripple Creek, Colorado -- rapidly changing from a mining town to a gambling spa -- or in your neighborhood convenience store.

Many Christians contend that since the Bible does not explicitly address the issue of gambling, Scripture offers no guidance in this regard. On the contrary, there are many principles found in the Word of God that show that if you enter into the activity of gambling the odds are against you. In fact, gambling affects our view of God, others and ourselves.

I. Gambling Affects Our View of Others

A. Gambling distorts our love for our neighbor (Philippians 2:3-4).

Scripture commands us to be concerned about the welfare of others. Gambling, on the other hand, leaves a trail of human misery in its wake.

The number of compulsive gamblers will increase between 100 and 550 percent when gambling is brought into an area, according to University of Illinois Professor John Kindt ("The Economic Aspects of Legalized Gambling Activities," Drake Law Review, vol. 43, 1994, p.59).

At least two-thirds of compulsive gamblers turn to crime to finance their addiction, according to Valerie Lorenz, director of the Compulsive Gambling Center in Baltimore (Christian Social Action, July/August 1994, p. 26).

The crime rate in gambling communities is nearly double the national average, according to a 1996 U.S. News & World Report analysis (Jan. 15, 1996, p.58).

Three years after casinos arrived, Atlantic City went from 50th in the nation in per-capita crime to first.

B. Gambling exploits the most vulnerable members of society (Zechariah 7:9-10).

Teens are three times as likely as adults to become addicted to gambling once exposed, according to Loma Linda University Medical School Professor Durand Jacobs.

We are instructed to look out for the needs of the poor, the widow, the orphan and the oppressed of our society. Gambling preys mercilessly on these groups. The poor lose the greatest share of their income to gambling (Abbott, Douglas A. and Sheran L. Cramer, "Gambling Attitudes and Participation: A Midwestern Survey," Journal of Gambling Studies, vol. 9, no. 3, 1993, p. 259; Borg, Mary O., Paul M. Mason and Stephen L. Shapiro, "The Incidence of Texas on Casino Gambling; Exploiting the Tired and Poor," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, July 1991, pp. 323-332; Commission on the Review of the National Policy Toward Gambling, "Gambling in America", 1976, p. 65.)

C. Gambling presents a poor witness to others (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).

Scripture commands us to conduct ourselves in such a manner so that our actions direct nonbelievers to the Lord rather than causing them to stumble.

God calls all of His children to a life that is above reproach in both our personal and public life: "But among you there must not be even a hint of... greed, because this is improper for God's holy people." Ephesians 5:3.

II. Gambling Affects Our View of God

A. Gambling indicates a lack of trust in God's ability to provide (Matthew 6:25-34).

God who clothed the lilies of the field and who feeds the birds will provide for our physical needs (cf. Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:6-9).

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5).

B. Gambling denies God's law of order and His care for our lives (Matthew 10:30).

There is no place for the concept of luck in a Christian's life in which God is so intimately involved in everything that "even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6).

C. Gambling violates the 10th Commandment (Exodus 20:17).

The activity of gambling is an act of coveting--an attempt to gain the resources of others without providing anything in return.

III. Gambling Affects Our View of Ourselves

A. Gambling distorts our view of stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30).

Each of us is a steward of what God has given to us. We do not "own" anything (Leviticus 25:23; Deuteronomy 10:14; Haggai 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:7). It doesn't just come from the Lord. It is the Lord's. Money and possessions are only entrusted to us. We are stewards.

Jesus tells us that we are going to be called to give an account for how we invest what is entrusted to us. Gambling is not a good investment. Gambling is poor stewardship.

B. Gambling undermines our work ethic (Genesis 2:15; Exodus 20:9).

Work is an essential ingredient of the divinely created order. Gambling mocks the need for work by selling the illusion of gaining something for nothing. (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 31; Ephesians 4:28)

The Bible warns against "get-rich-quick" schemes: "A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished" (Proverbs 28:20).

C. Gambling centers around greed (1 Timothy 6:10).

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10) and the love of money is at the very heart of gambling.

Gambling proponents often claim that gambling is simply another form of entertainment, but there is more than entertainment. There is the desire for riches.

1 Timothy 6:9 says, "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."

Gambling is to be avoided at all costs at all times for all people.

For help see Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling.
See also Gambling: To play or not to play?