I have a confession to make. Every once in a while, when the lottery jackpot is worth at least a few hundred million dollars, I will spend two dollars on a lottery ticket. I don't think I've ever matched more than two numbers, but the chance at winning such a large amount of money is occasionally, to me, worth a $2 investment. In my mind, I have convinced myself that I would be able to handle the jackpot without going loony tunes like most lottery winners. I would give large amounts of money away to churches, Christian causes, Christian organizations, etc., etc. I would sponsor all of the unsponsored Compassion children in Ecuador (and/or some other country). I would only keep a small amount of the money for myself. So, why doesn't God cause me to win the lottery? More on that later. First, to the question at hand.
The Bible frequently warns against laziness, indolence, and sloth (see, e.g., Proverbs 6:6-11; 18:9; 19:15; 20:4; 21:25-26; 24:30-34; 26:13-16; etc.) because God Himself is a planning, creating, working Being who puts His all into everything He does and expects the same from us (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Gambling is often the lazy person's solution. Gambling is driven by greed, which God hates. (1 Corinthians 6: 9, 10; Ephesians 5: 3, 5) Gamblers hope to gain money through the losses of others, but the Bible condemns coveting other people’s possessions. —Exodus 20:17; Romans 7:7; 13: 9, 10. Gambling, even for small amounts, can arouse a destructive love of money. —1 Timothy 6: 9, 10.
Let me define what exactly I mean by gambling. I would define gambling as risking money, with the goal of winning significantly more money, in something that is significantly against the odds. Whether it is buying a lottery ticket, or playing blackjack in a casino, or betting at the horse track, what all of those activities have in common is that the odds of winning are very low. Far more people will lose money gambling on those activities than will gain money. That is why the gambling industry is so successful. The reason the gambling industry can afford to occasionally give away millions of dollars is that it is consistently bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars. So, with this definition of gambling in mind — what does the Bible say about gambling?
The Bible does not mention gambling per se, at least not in the sense of a command 'thou shalt not gamble.' But, the Bible does contain numerous principles that undeniably apply to gambling. The Bible warns us to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). The Bible also discourages attempts to 'get rich quick' (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; 28:20; Ecclesiastes 5:10). If anything identifies the gambling industry, it is the 'love of money' and the desire to 'get rich quick.' The Bible also consistently teaches the importance of financial stewardship and managing money wisely. Excessive gambling definitely violates these three biblical principles. The issue becomes more difficult, though, when controlled/moderate gambling is in question.
Can you gamble, just for fun, if the love of money and a desire to get rich quick are not in mind? If the money you would spend on gambling is the money that is usually 'wasted' on other things, i.e. fun money, is it wrong to gamble? Often, when people object to the GotQuestions.org stance against gambling, they will say something like, 'What is the difference between spending $10 on lottery tickets vs. spending $10 on a movie and popcorn?' While I agree that there really isn't much of a difference, the question misses the point. Should we really be wasting our money on anything? Saying that other activities are as bad as gambling does not make gambling good or right.
With all of that said, let me make it clear, I believe the Bible gives us the freedom to spend reasonable amounts of money on entertainment/fun. If all other financial responsibilities are being fully and properly managed, there is nothing wrong with 'wasting' a little money on a little frivolity. Could this frivolity include spending a dollar or two on lottery tickets? Perhaps. But, again, utmost caution should be taken to make sure it is not done out of a love for money or a desire to get rich. And, be warned, recent scientific studies are showing that gambling addiction can be as strong an addiction as heroin and other illicit drugs.
What does the Bible say about gambling? If you can do it free from the love of money, without the desire to get rich quick, and without detracting from taking care of other financial responsibilities—it would be a matter of Christian freedom and personal conviction. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid gambling entirely. I do not think, though, that a conclusive case against all gambling can be made from the Bible.
So, back to my opening side question: Why doesn't God cause Christians to win the lottery so the money can be given to good causes? God doesn't need the lottery to fund the causes He supports. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). If God wanted a Christian to win the lottery, He would not even need the Christian to buy a ticket. He could just as easily cause the wind to blow a ticket out of someone else's hands and land in the lap of a Christian a hundred miles away.
Hey, it's windy today. Maybe I should take my laptop and go work outside...
S. Michael Houdmann1 Timothy 6:10
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.
Topicalbible.org
1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
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1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
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Matthew 6:19-21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
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Proverbs 20:21
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
Topicalbible.org
Scripture On Gambling Being A Single
Proverbs 22:16
He that oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he that gives to the rich, shall surely come to want.
Topicalbible.org
Whether Drunkenness is a Mortal Sin?
... xli, xlii): 'A bishop, priest or deacon who is given to drunkenness or gambling,
or incites others thereto, must either ... Therefore drunkenness is a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether drunkenness is a mortal.htm
Gambling, Card-Playing
...Gambling is dishonest. It seeks something for nothing. Man possesses no money,
that he might risk giving it to some rogue to waste in sin. ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm
The Holy Spirit Convicting the World of Sin, of Righteousness and ...
... to go down to Cottage Grove Avenue to meet some men and spend the afternoon gambling. ...
I saw one man testifying whom I had known in a life of sin, and I waited ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter vii the holy spirit.htm
The Swelling of Jordan
... of his class, and who had recently buried his wife, sat at the gambling table, staked ...
a man of culture and training would go down under such a sin, God pity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the swelling of jordan.htm
He that Doubteth is Damned if He Eat, Because He Eateth not of ...
... And if they persist in doing it, they sin, and are on the way to hell. ... 4. The same
remarks will apply to all sorts of lottery gambling. He doubts. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that doubteth is damned.htm
Practical Observations.
... the Church in its unity, to be kept whole and unparted; the gambling soldiers are ...
4. Christ crucified shows (1) the evil of sin; (1) the greatness of our danger ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 35.htm
/GamblingGettyImages-480836971-5703bff65f9b581408ade217.jpg "Scripture On Gambling Being A Sin")
Scripture On Gambling Being A Sinner
'Into Thy Hands'
... God has never promised to rescue man when he has got into trouble by his own sin.
Suppose a servant had embezzled his master's money through gambling, and then ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/into thy hands.htm
Seventh Commandment
... Young men by hundreds are being utterly ruined by this accursed sin. ... If he had failed
to pay his gambling debts or was detected cheating at cards, he would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm
Drunkenness.
... thing about it is, that the first embracing of any sin seems to ... of his father's estate,
practicing his early-learned habits of drinking, gambling, and loafing. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/ii drunkenness.htm
Ignorance of the Seed Makes no Difference.
... Whatever the sin is, make up your mind that you will gain the victory over it ... They
clothed you and educated you, and now do you spend your nights in gambling? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter vi ignorance of the.htm
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