Is gambling a sin?
I am often asked whether it is a sin to buy a Lottery ticket. I will tell you up front, there is no verse in the bible that says, "thou shalt not gamble." However, let me give you a Biblical basis why gambling is a sin. Gambling involves an element of risk. Ultimately, you are putting your faith in something other than God for the outcome. Therein lies the foundation of why gambling is a sin (Proverbs 3:5-6). Instead of trusting God, and putting faith in God, you have chosen to put your faith in luck. You are hoping to beat the odds, and it is putting hope and faith in something other than God that makes gambling a sin. Let me outline three additional reasons why gambling is a sin.
First, it can cause us to lose sight of our priorities. Anytime something is more important than the Lord, it is a sin. We are to love the Lord our God with all of our heart (Matthew 22:37), and He must be our first priority at all times (Proverbs 3:6). Second, it can be a poor use of God's resources that He has entrusted to us (1 Peter 4:10). Most people are in financial difficulties, not because they have not been blessed by God, but because they have misused and mishandled their blessing. Lastly, it can be a stumbling block to your brother or sister (1 Corinthians 8:9). Many people have a compulsive nature, and could end up in total bondage to gambling. So while it may not be a problem in your life, your involvement may cause someone else to have a problem with gambling.
Never forget that there is hope in Christ, and no matter how bad someone has screwed up their life, God can help them put the pieces together if they are ready to surrender to Him. Gambling is a sin since inherit in the nature of gambling is a reliance on chance instead of faith in God.