What the Bible has to Say About Gambling (Part 1)
Introduction:
Gambling is rolling in America, with every state except Utah and Hawaii having legalized some form of betting. The state of Missouri, which legalized gambling in the early 1990’s, is one of the fastest growing gaming states in the U.S. There are presently 11 casinos operating in Missouri.
In Missouri, we constantly must fight against forces that hope to expand legalized gambling in our state. On August 3rd,, 2004, Missouri voters will once again be facing a state wide vote on a gambling issue. Constitutional Amendment Number 1, calls for a change in the Missouri Constitution to authorize floating gambling facilities on or adjacent to the White River in Rockaway Beach, near Branson.
There are many good biblical reasons why we should say “No MO Gambling.”
THERE ARE BIBLICAL COMMANDMENTS AGAINST GAMBLING
Is there a commandment against gambling?
Yes, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Yes, Thou shalt not steal (gambling is robbery by mutual consent).
Yes, Thou shalt not covet.
No, the Bible does not say, “Thou shalt not gamble,” but are we so intellectually and morally illiterate that we must have everything spelled out on a third grade level? Don’t we know anything about spiritual principles? Gambling did not trouble Israel, so the first direct reference to gambling did not come until Isaiah 65:11 where it says, “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny…” Fortune and Destiny were the pagan gods of fate who symbolized good and bad luck.
One other direct reference to gambling came from Matthew 27:35 where the soldiers gambled for the garments of Jesus at the crucifixion.
THE BIBLE ATTACKS GAMBLING AS COVETOUSNESS
There is no doubt that gambling is a form of covetousness. It is a desire to have something
that does not belong to you. It is a desire to get things the easy way—something for nothing or almost nothing. The Bible says in Exodus 20:17, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
THE BIBLE ASSURES US THAT GAMBLING IS CAUSED BY GREED
Greed is a basic motive in gambling. The people who own casinos, dog and horse tracks, and other gambling establishments, are motivated by greed. If not for the huge profits, there would be no gambling industry. The people who go to gambling sites are there also because of greed. They want to be rich quick, even though the odds against them are astronomical. Jesus said in Luke 12:15, “For a man’s life consisteth not in abundance of things which he possesseth.”
THE BIBLE ATTACKS GAMBLING FROM THE LAW OF LOVE
Gambling stands in opposition to the biblical law of love. In Mark 12:31, Jesus told his followers, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Love imposes strong demands upon our lives. How can I love my neighbor and at the same time take his wealth, giving him nothing in return? Love refuses to engage in actions that mistreat or exploit others. My desire should be to give, not take from those I love. Gambling values taking or winning, not giving.
The Good Samaritan story of Jesus, reveals there are no limits on love (Luke 10:25-37), for it is the law of the King, the principle by which our lives must be regulated.
Love meets needs, but gambling exploits; love entreats, but gambling mistreats; love strengthens, but gambling weakens; love builds up, but gambling tears down; love never fails, but gambling ever fails.
(Used With Permission by Joe Bob Mizzell, Alabama)
