Gambling itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, principles that are often interpreted to address gambling include the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) and stewardship of one’s resources (Matthew 25:14-30). These passages suggest a cautionary stance towards practices like gambling, which can be seen as contrary to the biblical values of prudent stewardship and avoiding greed.
1 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.
1 Timothy 6:10
Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Proverbs 13:11
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Does the Bible say that gambling is a sin?
The Bible doesn’t directly say that gambling is a sin, but it gives us some strong guidance on how we should think about money and the dangers of loving it too much. It’s like when you read between the lines; you can understand what’s wise and what’s not so wise when it comes to how we use our money.
In 1 Timothy 6:10, it tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. It’s not the money itself that’s the problem, but when we start loving it, wanting it too much, that’s when things can go sideways. Gambling often comes from that place of wanting more money without putting in the hard work for it, and that’s where the trouble begins. It’s like wanting the prize without running the race.
Then there’s Proverbs 13:11, which talks about how wealth that comes too easily, like maybe through a lucky bet, doesn’t last. It’s like when you get something without really working for it, it doesn’t mean as much to you, and it can slip through your fingers like water. But when you earn your money through hard work, it tends to stick around because you value it more.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 takes it a step further by saying that if you love money, you’ll never have enough of it. It’s like a thirst that never gets quenched. The more you have, the more you want. And that endless chase can make you forget about the truly important things in life, like family, friends, and your relationship with God.
So, while the Bible doesn’t come right out and say «gambling is a sin,» it does caution us about the dangers of chasing wealth in ways that might lead us away from the values that really matter. It’s about where your heart is at. If it’s more with your money than with what’s good and right, then it might be time to take a step back and think about what’s truly important.