What does the Bible say about
buying lottery tickets and gambling?

What does the Bible say about
buying lottery tickets and gambling?

Q. What does the Bible say about buying lottery tickets and gambling?

(Submitted by: S. M. )

A. The modern words "gambling" and "lottery" are not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous scriptures that denounce the principles behind gambling and lotteries. These principles include idol worship and greed. Idol worship is at the foundation of gambling and the lottery.

People often play the lottery or gamble because they might just "get lucky." However, God speaks of Luck, Fortune, Fate and Destiny as foreign "gods" that people rely on.

Look at Isaiah 65:11-13 (NASB) :

"But you who forsake the LORD, Who forget My holy mountain, Who set a table for Fortune, And who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight. Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, My servants will eat, but you will be hungry. Behold, My servants will drink, but you will be thirsty. Behold, My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame."

God says those who worship (show honor to) fortune and destiny will be put to shame and a distinct contrast is shown here between God's servants and those who rely on Fate.

Note also that the familiar stereotypical signs associated with a gambler; one who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet and who points with his fingers is addressed in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 6:12-15 (NASB) is one example:

"A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing."

The fundamental principle behind gambling or lotteries is that for a small "investment" a person can get a big pay off. Thinking this way aligns a person with what the Bible considers to be the greedy.

Let's look at Luke 12:13-15 (NASB). Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,

"Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me. But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you? Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

Interestingly, the word arbitrator above as translated from the Greek has a similar meaning to the Hebrew word for Destiny. Both share the idea of dividing or apportioning and are similar to the gambling or lottery establishments which divide or apportion one group's wealth to another.

Jeremiah 6:13 calls it "greedy for gain". It is an evil that the Lord despises. Let's look at this important chapter:

"To whom shall I speak and give warning That they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed. And they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the LORD has become a reproach to them; They have no delight in it. But I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary with holding it in. Pour it out on the children in the street And on the gathering of young men together; For both husband and wife shall be taken, The aged and the very old. Their houses shall be turned over to others, Their fields and their wives together; For I will stretch out My hand Against the inhabitants of the land, declares the LORD.

" For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone deals falsely. They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace. Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down," says the LORD. Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it." (Jeremiah 6:10-16, NASB)