What are your views on gambling?

[IM4given]

I do not think we have had this discussion on this board (or if we did it was a really really long time ago!) So what are your views on gambling, and why do you believe as you do?

[IM4given]

bump :wvlf"

[PreacherE]

I voted in the Polls forum before I saw it in here so I'll copy my post from there:

I chose "D" because gambling is morally wrong. It is not being a wise steward of our money just as Kevin said in his post.

However, we do own several decks of cards that we occasionally play without gambling.

In Christ,
PreacherE

[IM4given]

That is okay you can post here too. :thumb

[JerryNumbers]

Gambling is sinful.

Sad, many churches try to get people to gamble by selling raffle tickets.

[HappyChristian]

I think it's wrong because it is not, as has been mentioned, being a wise steward of the money God has given us.

[JerryNumbers]

Many feel its easier to gain money gambling than by the sweat of their brow which is God's way.

Had a friend, he was always gong to hit it big, that would have solved his every problem according to him, but all it did was bankrupt him, but he said the fault of that was not gambling, even though a small bet for him was $100.00.

[deputydog530]

We never gamble. Do play cards for fun though. :frog

[Salyan]

I didn't vote because there wasn't an option that I could fully agree with. I'm not sure that gambling is morally wrong, but I do believe it is poor stewardship and one of those things that may bring you 'under its power.'

Question: Option E made me think. Where does it say in the Bible that casting lots is a sin? All the references I can remember are places in the OT where casting lots was used as a way to let God control the choice made. (Please note that I'm not trying to defend gambling here at all -- I really want to know what the Bible says about this.)

[trc123]

Option C: Does the question actually stipulate that if a person goes on a Cruise, they must gamble? I would think one has nothing to do with the other.

[Guest Guest]

Question: Option E made me think. Where does it say in the Bible that casting lots is a sin? All the references I can remember are places in the OT where casting lots was used as a way to let God control the choice made. (Please note that I'm not trying to defend gambling here at all -- I really want to know what the Bible says about this.)

I don't believe it does. I was puzzled by that option too, I thought it was going to be a trick question actually(especially since the term "Christ followers" was used and liberals tend to be very fond of that term and I know IM4Given isn't exactly a liberal) . :frog In the OT there are times when God directed them to cast lots and in the NT that is how the 11 apostles picked a replacement for Judas.

[bible]1 Chronicles 25[/bible]

"Leviticus 16:8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat."

"Joshua 18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God."

"Joshua 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions."

"Nehemiah 10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:"

"Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD."

"Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."

Far from forbiding lots, scripture establishes the practice rather well. However, casting lots isn't always gambling, often as we see in scripture it is used as a way to find the Lords will.

Gambling for gain is wrong because as others have said, it is misuse of what God has given, and even should you "win", this principle is still true.

"Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."