• Gambling—Does Anyone Win?
    Awake!—1987 | September 8

    • Regardless of how men view this matter, the Bible indicates that gambling is incompatible with Christianity. Some, for example, may feel that gambling simply fills an economic need. But Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us today our bread for this day.” How could a person greedily gamble for money and then pray this? Or how could he follow the exhortation: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things [material necessities] will be added to you”?​—Matthew 6:11, 33.

      The Bible further advises: “Let your manner of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things.” (Hebrews 13:5) The gambler often is anything but content. In fact, he is greedy, and the Bible says that greedy persons “will not inherit God’s kingdom.”​—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.

      True, some argue that they gamble not for money but for excitement. The Bible roundly condemns, however, those who sidestep godly principles and become “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:4, 5) Further, Jesus said: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39) How can a person love his neighbor while trying to take away his neighbor’s money? How can gambling be harmonized with the fundamental principle, “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving”?​—Acts 20:35.

      Not to be overlooked is the fact that gamblers often invoke “the god of Good Luck,” something the Bible clearly condemns.​—Isaiah 65:11.

      Finally, consider the corrupting influence gambling has on a Christian’s “useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) The Christian way of life involves hard work and thrift. (Ephesians 4:28) Jesus himself showed he was not wasteful when, after the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and the fishes, he gave orders that the leftovers were not to be wasted. (John 6:12, 13) But rather than following in Jesus’ footsteps, the gambler is more akin to the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable, who “squandered his property by living a debauched life.”​—Luke 15:13.

      True Christians thus stay away from the snare of gambling in all its forms. It makes no difference to them whether small or large sums are involved. As Jesus said: “The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much, and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much.”​—Luke 16:10.