A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE ON LOTTERIES AND GAMBLING

Biblical principles relating to gambling

1. This is what the LORD says, "As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is yet some good in it,’ so I will do in behalf of my servants. I will not destroy them all. … But as for you who forsake the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter. I called, but you did not answer, I spoke, but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says, " My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame." (Isaiah 65: 8, 11-13, NIV) [Note: Fortune and Destiny were pagan gods of the Hittites, Babylonians, and later the Romans. God’s people were giving food and drink offerings to these foreign deities in hopes of good fortune, rather than worshipping the God of Israel and trusting in His blessings for their daily provisions.]

2. Consecrate yourself, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 20:7) [We reflect God to the world. Trusting in Luck does not reflect His holiness.]

3. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6: 6-10) [All gambling promotions promote greed, and a get rich quick ethic.]

4. Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " `Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’" (Matthew 22: 36-40)

5. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4) [Gambling preys on the poor and government-run gambling taxes the poor. To vote for gambling in hopes of a chance to get rich is selfish ambition]

6. …there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. …For he is God's servant to do you good. ( Romans 13: 1-4) [Government is God-ordained. Legislators are to do God’s will for the good of the people. They are not to set up state- run numbers games that tax the poor, and make losers out of their citizens. Our coinage says, "In God we trust". State sanctioned gambling establishes the principle that "in Luck we trust".]

Home Page