Questioner: Joseph Chaggama
Subject: GamblingQuestion:
- What makes gambling wrong biblically? Are there some critical analysis of the texts suggesting wrongness in gambling?
John of AllFaith's reply
Hi Joseph,Its more tradition really. The Bible does not address the question directly.
There are plenty of examples of casting lots in the Bible and so on. This is sometimes a form of gambling. The Romans even gambled over Jesus' cloak. The issue of gambling is a bit more subtle and has to do with what has been called the Protestant Work Ethic.
When Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden of Eden they were told that 'by the sweat of their brows' they would have to scratch out a living. The idea is that by gambling one is bypassing this process and undermining the will of God.
The purpose of human life is spiritual not financial gain. We are told:
I Tim. 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.
Gamblers tend to focus more on financial gain than on God and spiritual life... but they sure are not alone with that! In my opinion, the biblical approach is moderation in all things. Paul says that nothing is unclean of itself. If gambling (eating, drinking, mating...etc. ) controls us it is sinful, if such things are used as tools we utilize properly and in love they are not.
Hope this helps,
Write back any time,
-
John of AllFaith
You are visitor number...
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
Who cares, I'm glad YOU'RE here!
