Gambling is an activity that involves wagering money or other valuables on an event with an uncertain outcome, with the intent of winning more money or material goods. Though gambling has existed for thousands of years, the Bible contains principles that advise against the practice of gambling. Here is an overview of some notable Bible passages that pertain to gambling and games of chance:
Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes will dwindle away.
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (Proverbs 13:11 ESV)
This proverb warns that trying to attain wealth quickly through risky means, such as gambling, often leads to losing whatever you gained. Steady discipline and hard work are better approaches for building wealth over time.
Proverbs 28:19-20 – Don’t get rich quick by exploiting others.
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 28:19-20 ESV)
Gambling often exploits those who are poor and desperate. This passage advises people to avoid “worthless pursuits” of instant wealth, which can include gambling. Building honest success takes time and effort.
Proverbs 28:22 – Greed leads to poverty.
“A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” (Proverbs 28:22 ESV)
Gambling is often motivated by greed and the allure of quick and easy money. However, continually risking money by gambling, instead of using it responsibly, often leads to financial ruin.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 – The love of money is futile.
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV)
Gambling is fueled by the love of money. But this passage explains that loving money is a hollow pursuit that never truly satisfies. Thus, gambling often becomes an endless cycle of dissatisfaction.
Luke 12:15 – Life is more than material possessions.
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'” (Luke 12:15 ESV)
This statement from Jesus reminds us that life is about more than accumulating money and possessions. Gambling’s singular focus on gaining riches can distract us from more meaningful pursuits.
Luke 16:10-12 – Dishonesty with small things leads to dishonesty with larger things.
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12 ESV)
Since gambling involves a get-rich-quick mentality, it can represent a form of “dishonest wealth.” This passage indicates that dishonesty involving money tends to breed more dishonesty in larger matters of life.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 – Loving money leads people astray.
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10 ESV)
This powerful passage clearly warns that loving money, as gamblers tend to do, leads to all types of problems. Obsession over money has led some to abandon their faith and harm themselves.
Hebrews 13:5 – Be content with what you have.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV)
Chasing after riches through gambling contradicts the biblical principle of being content with what God has already given us. Gambling attempts to circumvent contentment through quick and easy wealth.
James 4:13-15 – Do not boast about tomorrow.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ – yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'” (James 4:13-15 ESV)
Gambling is based on predictions of uncertain future events. This passage advises against presumptuously banking on an unknown future over which we ultimately have no control.
Matthew 6:24 – You cannot serve both God and money.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 ESV)
Gambling promotes the love and pursuit of money above all else. But Jesus makes it clear that money should not be our master in place of God.
Matthew 6:19-21 – Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
Gambling focuses treasures solely on material gain in the uncertain present. But Jesus instructs us to store up eternal treasures that last forever. Our heart’s priorities should reflect this higher, spiritual focus.
1 Corinthians 6:12 – Avoid being mastered by anything.
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV)
Gambling can easily become an addictive behavior that essentially masters a person’s desires and decision-making. But this verse advocates avoiding anything that takes control of our choices.
1 Corinthians 10:23 – Not everything beneficial is constructive.
“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV)
While gambling may hold some fascination, the Bible urges us to focus on things that really build up our lives and faith. Gambling often proves destructive overall.
Proverbs 21:5 – Hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)
Gambling represents a hasty and risky shortcut to wealth that often backfires. Steady diligence is a surer path to prosperity.
Matthew 7:12 – Treat others as you want to be treated.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 ESV)
Gambling frequently exploits and harms others. The Golden Rule instructs us to treat people how we would want to be treated. Few gamblers would wish to trade places with those they have harmed.
Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness exalts a nation.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34 ESV)
State-sponsored gambling to raise tax revenue promotes unwise reliance on games of chance. Righteous and ethical governance is more likely to bless a nation.
Matthew 22:21 – Give to God what is God’s.
“They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.'” (Matthew 22:21 ESV)
Since all we have is entrusted to us by God, gambling winnings rightly belong to God and His purposes. Gambling redistributes money randomly rather than where it is most needed.
Proverbs 12:11 – Hard work yields a valuable harvest.
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11 ESV)
Gambling is often considered a “worthless pursuit” because it lacks the noble value of hard work and patience. Meaningful effort is rewarded by God.
Proverbs 16:8 – Righteousness is better than riches.
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” (Proverbs 16:8 ESV)
Gambling revenues are often generated via exploitation. A little money gained righteously is superior to riches derived through unjust means.
In summary, the Bible offers many prudent principles that warn against the practice of gambling. Scripture advocates building wealth ethically through diligence and honesty. Gambling frequently undermines righteous living by promoting greed, materialism, quick-gain schemes, and exploitation of others. The Bible encourages contentment, hard work, and using resources to bless others. While gambling isn’t specifically forbidden, biblical wisdom provides guidance for making wise choices that honor God.