Is It Wise To Gamble?

For today's article we will be looking at a few bible verses in order to conclude whether or not Christians should gamble. Let's begin.


First off let me just state that as far as I know there is no bible verse that specifically says "Hey, listen up gambling is a sin; don't do it." Therefore I don't believe someone is not a christian just because they occasionally buy a lotto ticket. However there are many principles you can find in the bible that a spiritually mature Christian probably would take into account before buying one.

The first verse that I want to go to is Prov 13:11 which tells us that wealth gotten by vanity would be diminished but those that gather by labor shall increase. So wouldn't a lottery ticket fall under the category of wealth gotten by vanity, I think so at least.

How many people win the lottery only to blow it all on frivolous things and in a few years be as broke as they were before because they couldn't maintain their luxurious lifestyle.

The next verse we look at is Prov 28:20 & Pro 28:22. These verses tell us that those that hasten to be rich (which is usually the sole or primary reason people buy lotto tickets) has an evil eye and that they shall not be innocent. Additionally they don't even consider that poverty shall come upon them. An evil eye is one of the things that comes from the heart and defiles a man (Mar 7:21-23).

So far it doesn't seem like the bible supports people buying  lotto tickets, in fact it seems like quite the opposite. Gambling is not a good idea.

The next verse for this topic that I will address is
1Tim 6:9-10. I feel that this passage really addresses the heart of why people might be motivated to gamble, the will to be rich. The truth is money itself isn't the root of evil therefore it's not a sin to be rich. However the love of money is the root of evil and those who will be rich fall into a snare as well as many foolish and hurtful lusts. The result of which drowns men in perdition and destruction.

Then there's Mat 6:24 which shows us that  we can't serve God and  mammon (money), the parable of the sower (Mar 4:19) which shows us of the bad ground that was deceived by riches, and Jesus' warning to beware of covetousness (Luk 12:15).

The truth is there is far more important things one should spend their money on than lotto tickets and casino's; such as providing for their beasts or family (Pro 12:10, 1Tim 5:8, Pro 13:22), helping others (Php 2:4, 2Cor 8:14-15), and buying food (Isa 55:2).

In conclusion I don't think Christian's should gamble but instead use the resources that God gives them wisely such as saving it for your families needs or donating it to the poor.

Thanks for Reading Please share!!!

Relevant links
https://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html
https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/a-biblical-case-against-gambling