Question:
Why not gamble?
Answer:
The Bible says in Proverbs 28:20, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but HE THAT MAKETH HASTE TO BE RICH SHALL NOT BE INNOCENT.” There is one purpose to gambling — to get rich quick. The Bible says that person will not be innocent.
Crime does go hand-in-hand with gambling. I Timothy 6:10 says, “For THE LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Proverbs 28:22 says, “HE THAT HASTETH TO BE RICH HATH AN EVIL EYE, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
The last part of that verse deals with “poverty.” The gambler wastes his money and makes himself poor by gambling. Even the Mayo Clinic Web Site has a portion devoted the new addiction — “Gambling.” But it is not really a “sickness,” it is “sin.” “Sin” is “addictive.” John 8:34 says, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN IS THE SERVANT OF SIN.” People boast, “I can quit drinking anytime I want!” “I can quit smoking anytime that I want!” “I can quit gambling anytime that I want!” Then why don’t they? Because they are in the clutches of sin. Their alcohol; their cigarettes; and their gambling is controlling them.
There is only one thing that can truly set them free. John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” That truth is God’s Word. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” And that Word tells about the One who can set them free. John 8:36 says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Have you been set free in Jesus Christ?
There is a Biblical way to get money — honest work. Proverbs 14:23 says, “IN ALL LABOUR THERE IS PROFIT: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” II Thessalonians 3:10-12 says, “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. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” Ephesians 4:28 says, “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.”
Gambling is sin.