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Speaking Sound Doctrine |
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Gambling and its effects are all around us every day, enticing us with the prospect of getting something for nothing. You can buy a lottery ticket in most any convenience store and hear all about it on the evening television news. A variety of casinos and race tracks are usually never far away. You can now also do your betting over the Internet. It has even flavored our everyday language: "odds are..."; "five will get you ten." I'll bet you didn't think about that.
It is good that we are seeking Biblical truth on the question of gambling. Sometimes we merely seek the "opinion" of others on an issue. A Biblical approach allows us to easily dismiss the response that "one opinion is as good as another". If we can discover Biblical truth, then we can have confidence that God will be pleased with our response.
The word "gamble" is not found in the Bible, so there is no direct command against the practice. However, just because the word is not found in the Bible does not mean it has nothing to say about it; Bible instruction is often in the form of principle. For example, in Galatians 5, the apostle lists the works of the flesh, and in verse 21, as if in case he missed something specifically by name, says "and the like," meaning the sorts of similar things. Therefore, we should examine whether gambling is the sort of thing that conforms to works of the flesh in principle.
First, we need to define what we mean by the term. Gambling is defined by Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as "to play or game for money or other stake; to hazard; wager." Three key points can be derived from this definition as follows:
1. Something of value to be gained or lost is placed deliberately in hazard.
2. Winning is determined by some arbitrary event of chance or uncertainty not inherent to the wager.
3. Profits come at the loss of other participants without whom there is no gamble.
A typical argument in favor of gambling is that there are many risks we take in everyday life. It can be said, in a sense, that walking across the street is a gamble in which you risk getting hit by a car. Life insurance and the Stock Market are other examples. However, we do not deliberately cross the street in order to place ourselves in a hazard. No one else gains anything of value we have wagered if we do not successfully negotiate the transaction, and we stand to gain nothing they have wagered if we do. The point is, not everything in life that is a risk or a matter of chance is gambling in the sense under consideration.
Another argument often heard in favor of gambling is that it is just another form of entertainment. Much of what we do for amusement or excitement involves deliberately placing ourselves in hazardous situations. People die almost daily from accidents involving snow skiing, bungee jumping, sky diving, mountain climbing, or motorcycle riding. The point is, not every hazardous activity in life in which we willfully participate for exhilaration is gambling. These situations, though involving risk, are not so arbitrary. If the rule was that sometimes the roller coaster arbitrarily stays on the track and sometimes it arbitrarily does not, only the suicidally insane would ever ride a roller coaster. Moreover, the gamble is not the event of chance itself; it is the wager against the event of chance. The event itself is essentially beside the point; it can be anything the wagerers agree to.
An important part of the definition is "gaming." Games of chance wherein you stand to win a thing of value always require more than one player; you can't win money playing solitaire. So then, the gambler, by definition, always stands to gain by other people's loss. Furthermore, this game is not to be compared, for example, to professional sports, where the prize is earned by a superior performance, and the losing competitors do not provide the purse.
These three elements are most easily seen by the illustration of a gambling game in its most primitive form. (1) Two men willingly agree to contribute one dollar which is pooled into a pot. (2) They agree to base their choosing on a simple coin toss: a chance event having no inherent connection to the money collected. (3) They agree that the one thus winning takes back his dollar plus the dollar the other participant so loses. This is the essence of the gamble. Any activity characterized by these three elements is gambling in the sense being considered. In practice, gambling can become more diverse and complicated with higher stakes, game rules, and weighted odds, but the three basic elements are always there.
A tragic example of gambling appears in the book of Judges:
Judges 14:12-13 Then Samson said to them, "Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. 13 But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing." And they said to him, "Pose your riddle, that we may hear it."
After losing this bet, in rage, Samson murders and robs 30 Philistines to pay his gambling debt (Judges 14:19). Most of Samson's life is characterized by selfishness, arrogance, discontentment, brutality, vindictiveness, immorality, and deceit, which God exploits to punish the Philistines for oppressing Israel. For example, disregarding the words of Moses and advice of his parents, he seeks a wife not among his own nation (14:1-4). Samson later learns his wife has been given to another man, so he burns their fields with fire (15:1-5). In retaliation, the Philistines kill his wife and father-in-law, and he then escalates to further vengeance, killing many more (15:7-15). In Gaza he is later with a prostitute and then vandalizes their city gates (16:1-3). Samson afterward takes another Philistine wife and then taunts her people (16:4-15). Eventually, being of weak moral character, he allows her to trick him into violating his Nazarite vow (16:16-21). Though God allows Samson to so behave and uses it against the Philistines, it does not mean He condones his behavior. Samson is listed in Hebrews 11:32 as a champion of faith, because in the end, he relies on God for his final act of vengeance (16:28-30). Nevertheless, he is certainly not otherwise our godly example to follow.
Now let's look for some Bible principles that may have a bearing on gambling.
Gambling is essentially based in the evil desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. The Bible calls this sin "covetousness" and makes it clear that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Luke 12:15
1 Corinthians 6:9, 10
Ephesians 5:5
Colossians 3:5, 6
The word "covetous" or phrase "covetous man" here translates the Greek PLEONEKTES {pleh-on-ek'-tace} meaning, "1) one eager to have more, [especially] what belongs to others 2) greedy of gain, covetous" (JHT). Note that Paul identifies covetousness as idolatry and worthy of God's wrath. Idolatry, in its most basic understanding, is anything that we would love and follow after more than God.
Not all forms of gambling involve deceit, but many do. Events involving some competitive action of the participants, like billiards, typically do. The hustle, to some, is considered the ultimate gamble, because the odds of winning are thought to be increased. For example, the typical pool hustle is executed by deliberately losing when the stakes are low, thereby concealing the player's true skill level. After a while, when the stakes are very high, the competitor begins to play his best. One might argue that this is therefore not gambling because it is no longer a chance event, but it is; no one knows when the hustler might get hustled. This whole scenario is based on treachery, dishonesty, and deceit, and it's a part of gambling.
Someone may argue that there is nothing wrong with deceiving a deceiver; they get what they deserve. Not so: the faithful Christian behaves uprightly before all men. In no fewer than 44 times in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs alone, deceit is condemned. Consider these few citations:
Proverbs 12:20
Proverbs 26:24-27
In Proverbs 26:26, the word translated "deceit," MASHSHA'OWN {mash-shaw-ohn'}, means "1) guile, dissimulation…" (BDB). Guile indicates cunning duplicity, and dissimulation is "to hide under a false appearance" (MW).
Mark 7:21-23
1 Peter 2:1
1 Peter 3:8 - 10
In these New Testament passages cited, "deceit" translates DOLOS {dol'-os}, meaning "1) craft, deceit, guile" (JHT). Thayer continues, explaining the word origin likely to be a word meaning "to catch with a bait … a lure, snare." This is the polar opposite of Christ-like trustworthiness.
The scriptures not only condemn deceit but warn against being deceived. Organized gambling institutions lure patrons with glitzy casinos, lavish hotels, and clever advertisements. They never show the gambler broken down and destitute. Reports indicate that casinos play audio recordings of the clanging coins of a slot machine jackpot hit to make people think winning is a frequent occurrence.
Colossians 2:8
For an equitable economic society, God has ordained each citizen to be industrious: engaged in some form of occupation to sustain himself or his family. For examples, the scriptures indicate three legitimate means of providing a livelihood:
Acts 20:33-35
1 Thessalonians 3:9, 10
1 Thessalonians 4:11
2 Thessalonians 3:7-13
1 Timothy 5:18
Even if a man becomes independently wealthy, the godly man never becomes lazy; he can always work to teach and share his wealth with others. God's plan involves an honorable day's work for a commensurate day's pay. However, the gambler's profits come solely from the labor of others on the basis of chance, not effort.
Matthew 25:27
James 4:13, 15
Buying and selling for gain or loss in the Stock Market should not be compared with gambling; they are different in critical ways. Though participation in the Stock Market involves risk and uncertainty, it does not fit the three-point definition of gambling. In stock trading, consider that (1) the money people invest is not pooled for later distribution; it actually buys small parts of companies that produce goods or render services. (2) Furthermore, profits do not come as a result of some arbitrary chance event; they come as a result of the hard work and success of the companies in which they invested. (3) Also, the money people earn in stock trading does not depend upon the losses of others who also have invested.
Ephesians 4:28
Acts 2:44, 45
1 Timothy 5:9, 16
The gambler never gives without hoping for something in return.
Luke 6:34
Gambling is none of these things and therefore contrary to God's plan for a legitimate economy.
Galatians 5:14-17 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another….
So, is gambling a work of the flesh or a fruit of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Of the sins listed, the honest Bible student will immediately recognize the connection between many of these and gambling:
· Idolatry [EIDOLOLATRIA] - avarice, as a worship of Mammon (J. H. Thayer).
· Jealousies [ZELOS] - ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything … the fierceness of indignation … contentious rivalry (J. H. Thayer).
· Selfish ambitions [ERITHEIA] - a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts (J. H. Thayer); ambition, self-seeking, rivalry, and self-will (W. E. Vine).
· Envy [PHTHONOS] – the desire to deprive another of what he has (W. E. Vine).
These are the characteristics of gambling.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Of the virtues listed, several of these are particularly contrary to gambling:
·
Love
The meaning of the original word translated "love," AGAPE {ag-ah'-pay}, includes "…good will,… benevolence…" (JHT). William Barclay explains that this word describes the love that God has for man. For us, against our natural inclinations, it is the conquest of the soul to do no harm but to seek another's highest good, no matter their status or how they have treated us.
Luke 6:27-33 But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
The gambler is not seeking the highest good of others but seeks to do them harm. Gambling is not a manifestation of love.
·
Peace
The meaning of the original word translated "peace," EIRENE {i-ray'-nay}, includes "…peace between individuals, …harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)…" (JHT). The gambler is not interested in the happiness or prosperity of others but only of himself.
The meaning of this word further includes "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is" (JHT).
Gambling is diametrically opposed to contentment. Some people end up stealing or embezzling to pay their gambling debts or support their habit. They often destroy their homes, marriages, and livelihoods. As discontentment leads to misery, some will eventually turn to drunkenness to try to find contentment or even commit suicide. Law enforcement authorities frequently report murders in connection with gambling debts. No matter how you sell it, gambling is not in the best interest of a peaceful society.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
·
Faithfulness
The meaning of the original word translated "faithfulness," PISTIS {pis'-tis}, includes, "The character of one who can be relied on" (JHT). This goes well beyond merely the keeping of divine commandments; it speaks to the integrity of our inter-personal relationships.
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
The word translated "faithful," PISTOS {pis-tos'}, means "1) trusty, faithful 1a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, …worthy of trust…" (JHT). In contrast, the deceitful gambler cannot be trusted.
This also touches the issue of our stewardship of the resources God has given us. God has blessed each of us with gifts, talents, and possessions, which He intends us to use for the furtherance of his kingdom. If we needlessly and arbitrarily place these gifts at risk for mere entertainment or for personal gain, we are not being good stewards. Luke 15:11 begins the story of the prodigal son who is condemned for wasting his goods on riotous living.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
· Self-Control
Gambling can be addictive. When the gambler senses that he has the real chance of becoming rich beyond his imagination, even as remote as this chance could possibly be, it creates psychological exhilaration. Researchers believe that intense excitement can release chemicals called "endorphins" produced in the body which have an effect like a pain-killing drug. This thrill or "emotional high" keeps the gambler coming back time after time, even if he continually loses. In our society today, we see support groups that exist to help the millions of citizens addicted to gambling. This destructive cycle is generated by the desires of the flesh, but it can be broken by pursuing spiritual things.
A biblical study of drug abuse takes a closer look at addiction, but it should be sufficient to say that a lack of self-control is at the heart of addiction, and God's word calls us to self-control.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
2 Peter 1:5–7 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness….
The word translated "self-control," [EGKRATEIA] {eng-krat'-i-ah}, means "The virtue of one who masters his desires and passions" (JHT).
Besides, even if you are able to keep your gambling from getting so-called "out of control" (assuming it does not actually inherently violate godly principles), your participation may encourage others to gamble who may not have the same self-control. Then, you are guilty also of leading them into sin, and your influence for good is lost.
1 John 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
The best way to avoid an addiction is to never begin the addictive practice in the first place. Someone may argue "I can control it; I won't let it get out of hand." Every addict thinks this at first; no gambling addict ever started out seriously thinking, "I will probably be miserably addicted to this someday."
Gambling is in opposition to godly virtues.
We have examined the Bible principles at play in gambling. Though nowhere in the Bible do we read "you shall not gamble," we have found gambling to be:
· Aligned with the sinful traits of covetousness, deceit, jealousy, selfishness, greed, and envy, and
· In opposition to the scriptural principles of industriousness, self-control, contentment, stewardship, spirituality, and love.
Remember Samson, and note that many of the gambler's traits are described in this scripture:
2 Timothy 3:2-4
Let's be certain of one thing: if gambling violates divine principles, it is sin. The faithful Christian will not engage in it or give approval of those that do (Romans 1:28-32).
Let's look now at applying these principles to daily life.
Someone may argue that there is nothing wrong with gambling in insignificant amounts, like "pitching pennies." They may also reason that $20 once a year is nothing to them, and losing it in gambling is no different than spending $20 on some frivolous knickknack for their house. However, to someone else, that $20 may be significant: it might put several needed meals on their family's table. So who's to say how little is small enough? Moreover, starting small can lead to "excess." We have demonstrated so far that gambling stands in violation of God's will on the basis of divine principles; it is a matter principle, not proportion. Gambling comes in many forms, and the faithful Christian will keep his distance from every one of them.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Satan offers the temptation to engage in gambling in insidious ways. At some workplaces, "office pools" are frequently arranged. The wager can be over anything from a ball game to guessing a newborn baby's weight. Typically, everyone is asked to put in just a dollar or two, and whoever wins the draw gets the pot. They will often pressure you to participate, because, of course, the more that do, the bigger the pot.
Another similar thing frequently happens with a foursome on the golf course. Before beginning, they all arbitrarily agree that the loser will buy all of them drinks at the end. It may not be obvious, but this fits all the elements of gambling. Essentially, they have each agreed to put up the amount of money required to buy all the drinks. (In most gambling games, only one or just a few people win; the majority of the players lose. However, in this case, the agreed rule is that three of them win and only one loses.) The winners get their money back plus a free drink; the loser loses the value of three drinks (he enjoys the one he buys for himself). They may not lay their money on the table or verbalize all this, but all three elements are there: (1) the deliberate hazarding of a thing of value to be gained or lost, (2) an arbitrary chance event (the game is the wager, not the golf), and (3) the winners' profits come from the losses of another. That's gambling.
Our tendency may be just to go along in order to get along, but if we do so, we violate divine principles and waste an opportunity to be an example for good.
1 Peter 4:3-5
Satan really gets crafty here. Sometimes, raffles are held. In these, there are often two winners: one a game player and one not. The winner who is not a game player is typically some group of needy people, and they usually never know how the money is actually raised. The players might all be asked to buy a ticket for $10. Depending on how many players they can recruit, they might award $1000 to the charity and $1000 to some "lucky winner." This fits the gambling definition and is thus an ungodly practice. No amount of good accomplished by it can validate the method.
This becomes even more insidious when the worthy cause is a religious organization, especially when the largest denomination in the world claiming to worship Jesus Christ practices this. In fact, the word "bingo" could almost become a synonym for the institution. We may ask what could be wrong with gambling when many religious leaders sanction it. However, remember that the traditions of man-made religion are not our standard for authority.
The same principle holds true for a pledge. What if you make a promise to God that if you win the lottery, you'll give half your winnings to the church? Think of how much good work could be done for the Lord with millions of dollars in the treasury! Let's not deceive ourselves; the end does not justify the means. Moreover, consider how such a gift is degraded that costs us effectively nothing (2 Samuel 24:24) instead of coming from the wages of honest labor (Ephesians 4:28). God does not desire such "sacrifice;" He desires that we delight in doing His will (Psalm 40:6-8).
It's sad that some people must be motivated to give by catering to their "what's-in-it-for-me" attitude. If you wish to give money to a worthy cause, just give the money without a desire for anything in return.
Luke 6:35
We may be tempted to argue, "What difference does it make whether I give this way or that? What does it hurt to give with the chance of getting something in return?" The difference is: these actions are in violation of divine principles.
You go on a cruise, and your entertainment package includes free tokens to use at the casino. Since the wager or risk is not actually your own, isn't this different from the definition of gambling stated as a premise? Maybe so, but it is still contrary to spiritual principles. Perhaps a friend gives you a lottery ticket as a gift. Same thing. Anyway, the true gift is not the prize you might win but the exhilaration of gambling based in fleshly desires. If you go along, you are "buying into it." Your actions suggest that you would otherwise not have an objection. This is compromise – feigning righteousness and serving self at the same time – as did Balaam "who loved the wages of unrighteousness" (2 Peter 2:15). Remember that consent equals participation (Acts 22:20).
2 Corinthians 5:11-17
There are many similarities between insurance and gambling. To depict insurance as gambling, the customer is considered a "player," the company is "the house," the policies are the "games," monthly premiums are "bets," and untimely death or property loss is the "random event." The concept is "betting" on the occurrence of such a tragedy for which there is a payout. The expectation is that the gain on an insurance claim would probably be much greater than the loss of all the premiums to that point, though there is a chance that the tragedy might not ever actually occur.
There are several fundamental aspects presented here which do not fit our definition of gambling as a premise.
In gambling, an arbitrary hazard is deliberately created where there was none. To explain, there is no risk of loss or chance of gain until a wager is placed. The bet creates the risk. This is called "speculative risk." Conversely, in insurance, the risk exists prior to purchasing insurance. For example, if you own a house, there is already an inherent risk that it will be burned, whether or not you purchase insurance. If you are alive, there is already an inherent risk that you might soon die, whether or not you purchase insurance. Buying insurance does not create the risk. This is called "real risk," and it is significantly different.
By similar reasoning, it can also be argued that not buying insurance is gambling. In this case, the concept is "betting" on the non-occurrence of the tragedy. The expectation is that the money effectively gained by saving on premiums would be hopefully greater than a loss, even though there is a chance that tragedy and resulting catastrophic loss might indeed occur. Few would ever take such an unwise risk, but it is a comparable scenario just the same. Notwithstanding, this also does not fit our definition of gambling as a premise for the same reason.
Furthermore, in gambling, gain comes by winning. The anticipation is that the payout (for example, lottery purse) is much greater than the wager (cost of the ticket) so that a net gain is realized. Conversely, in insurance, gain comes by losing. The anticipation is that the payout (insurance benefit) is equal to the high replacement cost of the lost property so that only a lesser net loss (the insurance premiums) is realized.
Conclusively, the basic difference between gambling and insurance is as follows:
· Gambling is motivated by a greedy desire to get something that belongs to another without fair exchange.
· Insurance is motivated by a desire to protect one's own property or family from catastrophic loss by mitigating risk.
Someone might still be
convinced that it is inconsistent and hypocritical to condemn gambling in
others yet buy insurance. Nevertheless,
even if this reasoning were truly shown to be inconsistent, it would only prove
inconsistency and hypocrisy; it would not validate gambling. Gambling is herein shown to violate spiritual
principles and align with carnal-mindedness.
If buying insurance does likewise, we need to stop buying insurance, not
start gambling.
Virtually any random event or game can be wagered upon. Any sport from ping pong to polo can be a gambling vehicle. Certain games, however, have become particularly connected with gambling by the frequent association. These games include billiards, cards (especially poker), and horse racing. Apart from wagering, there's nothing in these activities inherently contrary to godly principles. It is the wagering that is wrong in principle; the gamble is not in the game itself.
1 Timothy 4:8
1 Corinthians 9:24, 25
In Philippians 4:8, the inspired apostle makes a representative list of noble things. Gambling qualifies for none of them.
1. What three elements must be involved for an activity to be gambling according to this discussion?
2. Explain in your own words the significant difference between taking a risk and gambling.
3. What is the meaning of "stewardship?"
4. List the three legitimate modes of income revealed in scripture.
5. What is wrong with playing "the loser pays" game?
6. Can you think of any circumstance or condition where gambling as described would be acceptable conduct?
Copyright 2009, Speaking Sound Doctrine