Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Ok, this just came up in a conversation with another believer a few minutes ago. She expressed that her husband had won quite a sum of money at a casino gambling and she was afraid to mention it because she thought I would disaprove of this. And I guess honestly, I do. But at this same time, I am not aware of any scriptural admonition against gambling per se. There's obviously the addiction potential but that could be said about many things. I've also heard that gambling is wrong because it is poor stewardship to "risk" the money the Lord gives you that way. That seems reasonable.
Now let me tell ya--kaykay isn't going to go book a flight to Las Vegas regardless of what anybody says on this thread, ok? To me, it's just too ingrained that it's wrong. But like today, when it comes up in conversation, SHOULD I be disapproving or expressing disapproval about gambling? Now in this case, the woman is a believer. Her husband is not, but I have known believers that don't think gambling is sinful. Obviously, in the absence of a specific scriptural injunction against it, I guess we have to kinda refer to the Romans 14 chapter and say it's up to the individual's conscience....or do we?
Do you consider gambling a sin? If so, why? If not, why not?
I think it can be a sin. Like kaykay alluded to, it would be according to one's conscience. I personally avoid it because I think it would be too tempting to me to keep going until I win (which would probably be never ). It would be irresponsible for me to waste money that is needed to take care of my family on a card game that I am not guaranteed to win.
If someone has enough money that they are able to set some aside and can control themself to only use the designated money, then I don't see the problem. In that case, it would seem like any other type of entertainment. (You never get your money back when you go to the movies or a concert, so it wouldn't matter if you didn't get your money back from gambling.)
I think it is personal preference, but a dangerous one. Many people get addicted and ruin their lives and relationships because of gambling.
Kaykay,
My husband loves to play blackjack. Also poker. I don't think that gambling 'responsibly' is a sin. Just as drinking responsibly is not a sin. I know that my husband has figured his winnings into his tithe when he has won 'big'. And for us, 'big' is around $600.00. He also has never put our finances at jeopardy.
Weather...
thats a tough question Kaykay...imho...a few guys getting together to play nickel/dime poker..no biggie..I kinda feel the same way about gambling the same way I do about drinking though..its like being on the edge of a cliff because it can be so addictive..the closest place to gamble from where I am at is Tuncia MS..if I go there..I feel like If i were to go there and gamble..Id be supporting all the folks who do have a drinking/gambling problem..because im pouring money into it..
Do I point out to folks that I think gambling is wrong? no..I think its one of those conscience things..If it feels bad to you..dont do it...Have I been there? yes..several times..the last time I went (9 years ago) I was ready to leave as soon as I got there..
I think "moderation" is the key word here. If someone is dumping life savings into habitual gambling.. there is a problem, but it more than likely isn't a gambling problem, it's more than likely something that goes much deeper.
Just like eating isn't a sin, but gluttony is? Moderation!
If gambling becomes one's god and one puts gambling first and foremost in their lives.I would definitely consider it a sin.It is a turning away from God.
I think gambling, like all recreational drugs, is selfish.
It is all about feeding the ego, the fact that you risk loosing everything else is 'forgotten'.
Kay, I am not aware of any scripture prohibiting gambling either. As a young child I was taught we did not gamble because the soldiers at Christ's death gambled for his possessions. I never really understood why that would taint gambling, because they also ate, drank, slept, talked and many other things while they stood their patrol. I can clearly see why it was disrespectful to Christ and those being put to death, but I do not seeing it rise to the level of becoming a sin regardless of the circumstance.
I also would hesitate to classify it as being a poor steward. Our stewardship does not require us to forgo all of our own pleasures in order to be good stewards. Our own health and mental well being is part of that stewardship.
I am not a gambler, as such, but I have on occasion participated in gambling activites. I have played Blackjack, poker, slot machines, lottery, church raffles, etc. I count my spending toward these items as my entertainment expenses and ensure they never exceed what I would normally have spent on a good dinner, movie, play, concert, etc. I believe that if you become so engrossed in any activity that it encroaches on your responsibilities in other areas, it is a sin.
I agree with the other posters that moderation is the key. A great many activites that are universally considered appropriate can become sinful when carried to excess. Take for example the person who excercises to the extent it takes away from their job and family time. It could start to prevent them from attending church activities and other fulfilling other obligations they had previously committed to. As they became more and more obsessed with physical perfection and their fitness goals they might become less and less involved with God and their spiritual goals. At this point, their excercise regime becomes a sin. It might even be ironic that they started this to maintain their bodies as the temple of God and lost sight of that along the way.
Gambling is not necessarilly a sin, but it can easily become one if not kept in perspective.
Location: Somewhere along the path to where I'd like to be.
2,180 posts, read 5,420,494 times
Reputation: 829
CR&B - that's how I look at it. Conscience,Responsibility, and Balance.
If it's not directly referred to as a sin, you have to use your own conscience to determine if it is a sin or not. (This is one of those situations where you may have weak and strong believers. If one person thinks it's okay, but another doesn't, you should avoid it so as to keep the weaker brother from stumbling.) I also think you have to use your money responsibly, so if you are taking your grocery money or rent money, and using it to gamble, that's not a responsible thing to do. You are being a poor steward of the money. Likewise, if you HAVE taken care of your debts, but still see a hungry person or homeless person on the side of the road while you're on your way to the casino, do you really think Jesus would want you to keep heading toward the casino instead of helping the person in need?
Also, are you balancing your life with other things? Are you taking time off from work to go gamble? Are you skipping your kid's soccer game to hit the race track?
As John alluded to, keep it in perspective.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
To me, it's just too ingrained that it's wrong. But like today, when it comes up in conversation, SHOULD I be disapproving or expressing disapproval about gambling? Now in this case, the woman is a believer. Her husband is not, but I have known believers that don't think gambling is sinful. Obviously, in the absence of a specific scriptural injunction against it, I guess we have to kinda refer to the Romans 14 chapter and say it's up to the individual's conscience....or do we?
). It would be irresponsible for me to waste money that is needed to take care of my family on a card game that I am not guaranteed to win. 
I think gambling, like all recreational drugs, is selfish. 
