Gambling has long been an issue among Christians, with some seeing it as morally acceptable in moderation while others view it as immoral. While the Bible itself does not specifically mention gambling, its principles certainly can apply.
The Bible cautions against love of money (Romans 13:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:10 and Ecclesiastes 5:10) and covetousness, the root cause of much gambling. Greed drives people towards “get rich quick” schemes while the promise of big wins lures gamblers in. Unfortunately, those who gamble often spend away funds they could have used for bills or helping those less fortunate than themselves while putting themselves financially at risk.
Gambling can also be seen as a moral issue as an addictive behavior that deprives its participants of joy and peace of mind. Families affected may need to sacrifice other priorities in order to feed and care for an addict; those engaging in this habit rob God of His blessings by expending time and money on unprofitable pursuits.
Gambling is immoral because it violates biblical commandments. The Tenth Commandment stipulates that we should not covet anything belonging to our neighbors – their possessions or wealth – including gambling profits. Furthermore, those who gamble often covet more money or items than is allowed, thus breaking the Fifth Commandment that honors neighborly rights; theft is forbidden by Fourth Commandment as gambling takes money away from poor people – Jesus Christ condemned gambling when He told us to love our neighbor as ourselves!
Gambling poses both biblical and governmental implications, leading to issues like addiction, excessive debt, neglect of family life and criminal acts. People addicted to gambling should seek deliverance through God. By confessing their sin and turning away from it, the Lord can help break free them from this unprofitable activity. He loves those caught up in it and he’s willing to assist them: “For where your treasure is, there will also be your heart” (Matthew 6:21). If you are suffering from gambling addiction, please reach out for support and recovery. We offer prayers as we pray with you for a new life to emerge, along with resources such as debt consolidation and credit counseling that can aid in healing financially. We can also assist in finding you a Christian counselor to aid in your recovery from gambling addiction. We are dedicated to providing assistance for all who seek it; visit our website for more details and please do reach out – we look forward to hearing from you and pray that God blesses your journey toward his righteousness!