Biblical Answer

The Impact of Gambling on Families

Gambling can indeed have a devastating impact on families. The American Psychiatric Association considers gambling a pathology when it leads to serious consequences such as lying, debt, and law-breaking. Even recreational gambling can promote covetousness and lead away from giving as a way of life, often nurturing the fantasy that luck rather than hard work is a way to achieve success. This can lead to sinful attitudes and behaviors that can destroy families.

The Sovereignty of God and Risk-Taking

Some may argue that gambling is not a problem because it is a matter of taking a risk on an uncertain outcome, which is within God's sovereign control. However, this perspective raises questions about the nature of risk-taking and whether it is compatible with God's sovereignty. If we take risks and rely on luck rather than hard work, are we not calling into question God's sovereign control over our affairs? Furthermore, the numbers of gambling losers suggest that this perspective is not a responsible one for Christians.

The Biblical Perspective on Gambling

While the Bible is silent on the subject of gambling, we can still draw some conclusions based on its teachings. Stealing, which involves taking something that belongs to someone else, is a clear sin. While gambling involves risk and uncertainty, it is not necessarily stealing. However, it can lead to sinful attitudes and behaviors, particularly when it involves seeking selfish gain at another's expense. As Christians, we should be cautious in our example and speech, and avoid promoting habits that are not pleasing to God. This includes being mindful of the social impact of gambling and avoiding behaviors that can lead to destruction of families. Therefore, the most responsible position for Christians is to abstain from gambling altogether.