Biblical principles on gambling, stewardship, and managing money God's way
While the Bible doesn't explicitly mention gambling, biblical principles clearly warn against the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), get-rich-quick schemes (Proverbs 13:11), and trusting in chance rather than God. Scripture teaches that wealth should come through honest work and faithful stewardship. Gambling often exploits the poor and feeds covetousness, which Scripture condemns.
Key Scripture passages that address the underlying issues with gambling.
"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)
"Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it."
— Proverbs 13:11 (ESV)
"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)
"A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."
— Proverbs 28:20 (ESV)
Understanding how God calls us to manage the resources He entrusts to us.
"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?"
— Luke 16:10-11 (ESV)
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty."
— Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)
"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)
Biblical hope and guidance for those struggling with gambling addiction.
""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)
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
— Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace."
— Romans 6:14 (ESV)
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