Is Gambling a Sin? What the Bible Says

What the Bible says

1. Scripture

   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.

   The love of money, gambling's engine, is "the root of all evil": it has led people to shipwreck their faith and pierce themselves with sorrows.

2. Scripture

   Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

   Proverbs contrasts get-rich-quick wealth ("vanity") with steady labor: gambling belongs to the first category.

3. Scripture

   Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

   Contentment is the antidote: God promises His presence, which outvalues any jackpot.

A grounded way to understand this

Gambling also fails the stewardship test (Matthew 25:14-30: money is entrusted, not owned) and the love-of-neighbor test (it profits from others' losses). If gambling has you, treat it like any bondage: confess, seek help, and trust that Christ breaks chains (John 8:36).

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