Gambling and the Bible

Dave Shumate

From our September/October issue of FrontLine magazine.

Part 1: Does the Bible Forbid Gambling?

Christians in the United States have historically opposed gambling. Their efforts alongside those of other social reformers lead to the outlawing of gambling almost everywhere in the United States by the early twentieth century. In the 1980s Evangelical Christians fought, unsuccessfully, the increasing adoption of state lotteries as morally, socially, and economically evil.[1]

Despite this opposition, there has arisen the idea, even among conservative Christians, that gambling is not inherently sinful. Rather, like other forms of entertainment, it can cause problems if overindulged, but it can be innocently enjoyed in moderation. Some Christians undoubtedly view gambling as poor stewardship of their time and money, but they would be reluctant to criticize other believers who gambled.

But is this view correct? Is gambling morally neutral, only to be avoided under certain circumstances or as a matter of wisdom? It is true that there is not a verse prohibiting gambling by name. However, if we carefully consider the nature of gambling, as well as what the Bible teaches about covetousness, we cannot escape the conclusion that the Bible does, in fact, forbid gambling. In Part 1 of this article we will ask whether the Tenth Commandment forbids gambling, and in Part 2 we will examine gambling in light of other biblical principles.