Sun 9:30a Class; 10:30a Worship; 11:35a Communion
Bible Bites
It's OK to Gamble
Louisville has just concluded the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby. This year, almost $200 million was expected to be wagered. With this annual event comes a common question, “Is it wrong to gamble?”
The Bible actually doesn’t address gambling directly. In other words, there are no specific texts or statements that prohibit or allow it. In such cases, we must resort to a responsible application of general principles.
I would suggest that it’s OK to gamble, if you can avoid violating the following principles:
If you can place a bet without being covetous, it’s OK to gamble. See Colossians 3.5.
If you can place a bet without being materialistic, it’s OK to gamble. See 1 John 2.15-17; Luke 12.13ff.
If you can place a bet without taking advantage of others, it’s OK to gamble. See Matthew 7.12.
If you can place a bet without exploiting the poor, it’s OK to gamble. See Isaiah 1.16f; 10.1; Amos 4.1.
If you can place a bet without trusting in luck rather than trusting in God, it’s OK to gamble. See Isaiah 65.11f.
If you can place a bet and be a good steward, it’s OK to gamble. See Luke 16.10-13.
If you can place a bet and be content with your place in life, it’s OK to gamble. See 1 Timothy 6.9ff, 17ff.
If you can place without violating any of these principles, then go ahead and gamble.
Yeah, right.
