Gambling
By Bruce Lackey - (1930–1988)
Bruce Lackey was a Baptist pastor, educator, and Bible conference preacher. He taught at Tennessee Temple in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for nineteen years and was the dean of the Bible school department from 1965 until he left there in the early 1980s. He trained many classes of “preacher boys” who revere his name to this day and
who thank the Lord for the godly influence that this “man of the Book” had in their lives and ministries.
Is it wrong for a Christian to gamble? Many would answer an unqualified yes, if we are referring to poker, slot machines, and the like. But what about the lottery which is legal in many states? What about other forms of sweepstakes at the super markets? What about buying a chance on a car for a dollar, especially if it goes to benefit a charity? And why doesn't the Bible mention it, if it is wrong? After all, we cannot find a verse which says, "Thou shalt not gamble." And don't farmers gamble every time they plant a crop? what about investing in the stock market; is not that a gamble?
It is important to remember that there are many things which are sinful, but are not named in Scripture. When the Lord gave a list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, he finished by saying "and such like," indicating that there would be other works of the flesh which are not in the previous list, but which would resemble those which are there so that they would be easily recognized. Therefore, we must learn, not only the statements of Scripture, but the principles which are clearly given, so that we may recognize the new sins that come along from time to time.
Webster's dictionary defines gambling as "to play or game for money or other stake; a transaction involving risk." We will do well to remember that; later discussions will bring us back to it. A thing may be legal without being right, in the sight of God. Man's laws have the imperfection of being made by imperfect men. There may have been a time when the laws of the United States were similar to the Bible, but that time has long since departed.
The question is, "Is it scriptural? Does the Bible approve or condemn it?"
Gambling is a part of everyday life in America. It is big business. Every thinking person knows that horse races and boxing matches could not possibly pay the purses they do without the gambling that goes with them.
Beside that, it is common to see odds and other betting statistics given on the sports pages of even the most conservative newspapers in this country. Also, people often gamble for soft drinks, or to see who will go get lunch, or who will pay for the golf game, etc.
There are at least seven principles in Scripture which show that gambling is wrong. These principles will also help us to decide whether a practice is gambling or not; more importantly, they will show whether a practice is wrong, or not.
1. The Motive Is Covetousness:
Everyone knows that the reason people gamble is to get something for nothing, or a whole lot for a little. It is not merely a sport or a pastime. Covetousness is the motive; covetousness is condemned in Scripture:
Exodus 20:17, "Thou shalt not covet... any thing that is thy neighbor's." But what is the difference between merely wanting something, and coveting it? The above verses help us to understand that difference. Covetousness is idolatry because it turns a person away from the true God. When someone wants a thing enough to disobey God to get it, that person is covetous.
Also, a person who lives in continual covetousness is indicating that he has never been converted. When the Lord listed those who would not inherit the kingdom of God, he mentioned adulterers, thieves, drunkards, among them. A person who continually lived by stealing would show that he had never been saved; likewise one who continually lives in adultery, or drunkenness. We must remember that James 2:18 says that we show our faith by our works. If our works identify us as those who have never been saved, they would certainly be wrong. Covetousness does that.
2. Gambling Is An Attempt To Get Something Without Working For It:
Scripture teaches that a person should work for that which he needs in this life.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies."
Ephesianss. 4:28, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
These verses do not speak of those who are unable to work, but of those who choose not to do so, trying to get what they need and/or want in some other way. Other than that, they are so clear that no explanation is needed. Any attempt to get things without working for them is a disobedience to the Bible.
3. Gambling Imitates The Wicked Example Of The Soldiers Who Mocked And Crucified Jesus:
Matthew 27:35, "And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots."
Casting lots was a practice which occurred many times in Scripture, but was not always a gamble. Sometimes they cast lots to indicate who was guilty, or to make a decision. The context always makes it clear when it was a gamble. Mark 15:24 says, "They parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take." John 19:23-24 further explains that they gave every soldier a garment, but when it came to His seamless coat, which could not be divided, they said, "Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be..."
What Christian wants to act like these hardened soldiers, who thought nothing of the suffering of the Saviour, but ignored all that just so they could get some possession of his!
By the way, this passage shows that the object for which people gamble is not necessarily a sin. For instance, many people think that horse racing, or all sports, are sin because people gamble on them. However, no one would say that the coat of Christ was a sinful thing.
The thing that is wrong about gambling is not the object for which a person gambles, or the object with which he gambles, but the attitude behind it all. Does it show greed? Is it an attempt to get something for nothing? Does it identify one with the wicked soldiers who ignored Christ in his darkest hour?
4. Gambling Becomes The Master Of The Gambler:
In the hometown of this author, a man was arrested for robbing a local bank. He was not known as a criminal; he was respected in the community and had a good job. He told the investigators that he robbed the bank to pay off his gambling debts. How did he get so far in debt? Where did it all start? According to his own words, he began gambling on the pinball machines, years ago, for only a few coins at the time. Many people have found out, as this man did, that gambling may be just as addictive as a narcotic. For that reason, it is a sin.
1 Corinthians 6:12, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."
A Christian has been set free by the Lord Jesus; he would be sinning against what the Saviour had done for him if he goes back into bondage to anything.
Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath make us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."
While this has immediate reference to bondage to the Old Testament laws, the principle may be applied to any power that would enslave us. We are specifically commanded not to put ourselves under bondage.
Further, Christ taught that anything which enslaves us is sin. John 8:34, "Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Many men and women have found out that gambling becomes the master of the gambler. The fact that this does not happen to every gambler does not reduce the danger. Not every one who drinks alcohol becomes an alcoholic, but an alarming number do. And the worst part is that no one knows whether or not he will become enslaved until he already is! The same applies to gambling. Since there is the very real possibility of addiction, it should be avoided with the same fear that one avoids drugs. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil. Since the possibility of addiction is there, we have reason enough to abstain.
5. When A Person Gambles, He Eventually Associates With The Most Evil Of People:
Everyone knows that gambling is associated with organized crime, and that people have been beaten and even killed because they did not pay their gambling debts. The seemingly insignificant practice of matching quarters for soft drinks may lead to association with prostitutes and murderers. It certainly has done so, countless times. The previously mentioned verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, is sufficient condemnation of gambling for this very reason.
We should abstain from gambling because it has the appearance of many other kinds of evil. They may not be obvious, at first, but they soon come to light, so much so that it is a matter of record that places which have legalized gambling have also encountered other forms of sin which are uncontrollable, as long as the gambling is permitted.
1 Corinthians 15:33, "Evil communications corrupt good manner."
It is impossible to associate with evil without becoming like it.
6. Gambling Cannot Be Done For The Glory Of God:
1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
If gambling is because of the sin of covetousness, if it violates Scripture by trying to get something without working for it, if it imitates the wicked example of the soldiers who crucified Christ, if it becomes the master of the gambler, if it causes one to associate with the most evil of people, it surely could not be done for the glory of God!
It is very likely that not a single person has ever sat down to a poker game, or fed a slot machine, or purchased a lottery ticket, or bought a chance on a car, and had in his mind, "I am doing this for the glory of God." Any honest person would say, "I am doing this because I want to get a lot for a little, and I don't want to work for it."
7. Gambling Cannot Be Done In The Name Of Christ:
Colossians 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
The reasoning which was applied above also works here. No one sits down to a poker game, etc., saying in his heart, "I am doing this in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Gambling has become so much a part of everyday life that many Christians are surprised when someone objects to it. Such a reaction shows our lack of knowledge of Scripture and the extent to which we have become influenced by the world around us. May the Lord help us to apply the above principles, not only to gambling, but to everything questionable, so that we may learn to be a holy people and bring glory to our Saviour.
Why not memorize some of these principles and say, when the temptation to gamble is presented:
"No, because I am not covetous." Why should a born-again Christian be ashamed to give even one of these replies? Let us take our stand in public for the Saviour!
Colossians 3:5, "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth... covetousness, which is idolatry."
When God gave a list, in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God, he named the covetous, right along with idolaters and thieves.
"No, because I work for what I want."
"No, because I don't want to be like the soldiers who crucified my Saviour."
"No, because I don't want to be a slave to anything but Christ."
"No, because I don't want to wind up associating with the mafia."
"No, because I could not do it for the glory of God."
"No, because I could not do it in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Tomorrow May Be Too Late, please click on "GOD's Plan" logo below.
