Gambling Is A Sin*
by Wesley Simons
Introduction
1. By gambling we mean: to wager on an uncertain outcome (or give money
for the opportunity to win by chance) in such fashion as to place another
under obligation to pay a claim against him (or lose money already laid
down) which claim one would not otherwise freely accept and which is the
result mainly of chance. Webster says: to play games for money or some
other stake; to take a risk in order to gain some advantage; to bet; to
wager; an act or undertaking involving some risk of a lost.
2. By sin we mean a violation of God’s will: 1 John 3:4 Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the
law.
3. A writer in Hastings’ Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics argues that
gambling is motivated primarily by three urges:
1. The desire for gain.
2. The desire for excitement.
3. The instinct for combativeness.
4. Thus we declare that gambling is an unauthorized way of putting one’s
fellowman under obligation to self.
I. Major Argument.
1. Put forth in logical form.
1. If it is the case that everything not authorized by God’s word is sinful’
2. And if it is the case that gambling is not authorized by God’s word,
3. Then it is the case that gambling is sinful.
2. We affirm:
1. It is the case that everything not authorized by God’s word is sinful.
(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.).
2. It is the case that gambling is not authorized by God’s word.
3. Therefore, gambling is sinful.
3. The argument proven. (God has authorized eight ways money [any
tradable commodity] may be exchanged or gained).
1. Gifts: Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they
saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and
worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they
presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Romans
12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him
drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
2. Debt. Matthew 18:23-25 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened
unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And
when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed
him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his
lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that
he had, and payment to be made.
3. Interest. Matthew 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my
money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received
mine own with usury.
4. Investment. Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money,
and laid it at the apostles' feet.
5. Labor. Ephesians 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.
6. Fines or penalties. Rom. 13:1-5; 2 Samuel 12:6 And he shall
restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had
no pity. Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord;
Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have
taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold.
7. Taxes. Romans 13:6-7 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they
are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8. Trade. James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we
will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and
get gain:
9. As can be seen above, gambling is not an authorized way of or means
of getting gain. The argument is proven.
10. Where is the verse that teaches that I have a right to put my brother
under obligation to me strictly by the avenue of chance when my
brother does not want to lose. He wants to keep his goods. Gambling is
a means of stealing.
II. Other Reasons Why Gambling Is Sinful.
1. It violates the New Testament obligation of faithful stewardship. 1 Peter
4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
2. It violates the golden rule. Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:10 Love worketh no
ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
3. Gambling promotes laziness and quenches the desire for honest work.
Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the
garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy
face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast
thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 10 For even when we were with you, this we
commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
4. Gambling, like other vices some becomes addictive and makes a slave of
the participant. 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. Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.
5. Gambling is sinful because of the evil example it sets. Romans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of
all men. 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry,
bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to
speak reproachfully. 2 Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious
ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
6. Gambling breeds dishonesty and deceit. These people often have to steal
to try to cover their gambling debts. Matthew 7:17-18 Even so every
good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil
fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit.
7. Gambling is a destroyer of the home. Many who gamble cannot buy food,
clothing, etc. for the family. 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his
own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel. In Reno there is an organization called
Gamblers Anonymous wherein families of gamblers can attempt to cope
with their common problems.
8. Gambling is the enemy of mental serenity. Many have committed suicide
because of the gambling loses. I wonder how many people the mob has
killed because they could not pay their gambling debt?
III. Objections.
1. Getting out of bed is a gamble.
2. Wouldn’t playing the stock market be gambling.
3. Farming is a gamble.
4. Going into business is a gamble.
5. Insurance is a gamble.
...6. Some say that the Lord endorsed gambling in: Numbers 26:55
Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names
of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. Acts 1:26 And they gave
forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with
the eleven apostles.
IV.. Those Who Encourage Gambling.
1. Churches: bingo, etc.
2. Schools: selling chances on different items.
3. Clubs: selling chances on different items.
4. Government: lotteries.
5. Many will not speak out against these things.
V. I can’t See Any Harm In It. (Consider theses guidelines when
determining whether a practice is right or wrong).
1. The Personal Test: Will doing this make me a better or worse
Christian?
2. The Social Test: Will doing this influence others to be better or worse
Christians?
3. The Practical Test: Will the results of my doing it be desirable?
4. The Universal Test: If everyone should do this, would it improve or
degrade society?
5. The Scriptural Test: Does the Bible endorse it, or is it expressly
forbidden by the Word of God?
6. The Stewardship Test: Will my doing this constitute a waste of
talent that God has given me?
7. The Character Test: What will be the influence of my moral and
spiritual stamina?
8. The Family Test: Will it bring discredit and dishonor to my family,
and will it embarrass them?
9. The Publicity Test: Would I be willing for friends, fellow Christians,
the elders, and the preacher to know about it?
10. The Common Sense Test: Does it agree with just plain, everyday,
ordinary common sense?
11. The Fairness Test: Is it honest, and is it practicing the golden rule?
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all
appearance of evil” (I Thess. 5:21,22).
VI. What Some Have Said.
1. The FBI released a list of six dangers our young people face - gambling
was on the list.
2. Charles Simmons said, “The best throw with dice is to throw them away.”
3. George Washington said, “Gambling is the child of avarice, (excessive or
inordinate desire or gain; greediness after wealth; or to covet. Definition
added by WS) the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.
4. David L. McKenna said, “Gambling is the willingness to take a risk
motivated by the twisted desire to get something for nothing.”
5. Gamblers Anonymous when ask should one avoid all gambling said this,
“One can’t even participate in a little penny ante game or a world series
pool. It means exactly that. A stand has to be made somewhere, and GA
members have found the first bet is the one to avoid even though it may be
as little as matching for a cup of coffee.”
6. Thomas Dewey said, “It is fundamentally immoral to encourage the belief
by the people as a whole in gambling as a source of revenue...The entire
history of legalized gambling in this country and abroad shows that it has
brought nothing but poverty, crime and corruption, demoralization of
moral and ethical standards, and ultimately a lower living standard and
misery for all people.”
7. A vice-president at Harrah’s casino stated: “If he (the gambler) gets into
trouble with his vices, then it’s his problem.”
8. Harry S. Truman once exclaimed: “If you want to be like Nevada, that’s
your business. Nevada is the only black spot on the United States
continent...Legalized gambling is the worse thing in the world. I don’t
believe in it. Too many people have jumped out of windows because of
Nevada. It is a fever.”
Conclusion
1. We are to live the Christian life. We must avoid: betting on sports,
lotteries, bingo, taking chances on different things, slot machines, horse
races, dog races, dog fights, etc.
2. Obey God Today: Hear (Rom. 10:17); believe (John 8:24); repent (Luke
13:3); confess Matt. 10:32-33); and be baptize for the remission of sin
(Acts 2:38). And be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).
* Some of this material was borrowed from: Mike Glenn; Wayne Jackson and
a book (author unknown) entitled: Problems Facing Young People.
