Gambling

Gambling

Introduction

With casinos and lotteries close at hand, Christians must ask what God says. Scripture is sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Our lesson examines gambling in light of God’s word and calls us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11).

The Nearness of Temptation and the Sufficiency of Scripture

God has not left us to guess. His word equips us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When culture normalizes gambling, disciples test every practice by revealed truth, not by profit, excitement, or popularity (Colossians 3:17).

Gambling in Israel’s History: Worshiping Chance

Isaiah rebuked those who set a table “for Fortune” and poured drink offerings “to Destiny” (Isaiah 65:11). Trust in chance is misplaced worship. Wherever people look to luck for gain, hearts drift from the living God.

The Golden Rule and the Wages of Loss

Jesus commands, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). Gambling profits by another’s loss. Winnings are built on neighbors losing what they hoped to keep. Love does no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10).

Stewardship Before God

Stewards must be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). The Lord entrusts resources to be used wisely for family, the needy, and the gospel (Matthew 25:14–30; Ephesians 4:28). Risking God’s gifts on chance is poor stewardship.

Cravings That Corrode the Heart

Gambling appeals to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). The lure of quick riches nourishes covetousness, a kind of idolatry (Colossians 3:5), and dulls gratitude for daily bread.

Addiction and the Call to Self-Control

One fruit of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Gambling is engineered to captivate the mind and will. Christians refuse practices that master them (1 Corinthians 6:12) and instead pursue sober-mindedness (1 Peter 5:8).

Influence, Companions, and Witness

Where gambling thrives, so do vices that cling to it. “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Corinthians 15:33). We are to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (Colossians 4:5) and avoid planting tents toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12–13).

The Wrecking of Homes

Scripture requires providing for one’s household (1 Timothy 5:8). Gambling drains incomes, burdens marriages, and deprives children. Love “seeks not its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Families flourish where contentment and diligence rule (Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 13:11).

What Christians Should Do

“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Christians abstain, warn, comfort those ensnared, and re-direct zeal toward generosity, honest labor, and the Lord’s work (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17–19).

Gambling Sermon Outline

Primary Texts: Isaiah 65:11; Matthew 7:12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:8; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 13:11; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Genesis 13:12–13; Romans 13:10; 1 Timothy 6:9–10

Purpose: Show from Scripture why gambling violates Christian love, stewardship, self-control, and influence; call disciples to abstain and help the ensnared.

I. Introduction (≤50 words; anchor text Ephesians 5:11)

• Temptation is nearby; Scripture equips the church to discern and obey (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

• Aim: expose gambling biblically and urge a holy response (Ephesians 5:11).

II. What Gambling Is and Why Hearts Chase It

• Definition: Risking God-given resources on games of chance to gain from another’s loss (Proverbs 13:11).

• Heart drivers: covetousness, discontent, thrill of risk (Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:9–10).

III. Biblical Principles Gambling Violates

• Love of neighbor / Golden Rule—profit is built on another’s loss (Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:10).

• Faithful stewardship—resources entrusted for family, mercy, and gospel, not chance (1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:14–30; Ephesians 4:28).

• Contentment—trust God’s provision; refuse grasping desire (Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11–13).

• Self-control—do not be mastered; cultivate Spirit-led discipline (1 Corinthians 6:12; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Peter 5:8).

• Influence and companionship—wise walk, wholesome witness; avoid corrupting contexts (Colossians 4:5–6; 1 Corinthians 15:33).

• Provision for household—wagers endanger dependents (1 Timothy 5:8).

• Fellowship with darkness— abstain and expose (Ephesians 5:11).

• Trust in Providence, not “Fortune”—rebuke of serving Chance (Isaiah 65:11; Jeremiah 17:5–8).

• Work ethic vs. windfalls—honest labor and steady gain (Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 13:11).

IV. The Fruits of Gambling

• Spiritual dullness and idolatry of gain (Colossians 3:5).

• Family harm: debt, secrecy, deprivation (1 Timothy 5:8).

• Community decay: clustered vices and crime; damaged witness (Genesis 13:12–13; 1 Corinthians 15:33).

V. Common Objections Answered

• “It’s only entertainment.” Entertainment that feeds covetousness and thrives on others’ loss violates love and stewardship (Matthew 7:12; 1 Corinthians 4:2).

• “Casting lots appears in Scripture.” Lots sought God’s will, not personal enrichment (Acts 1:24–26; Proverbs 16:33).

• “If I win, I’ll give to the church.” God desires obedience over windfalls sourced in others’ losses (1 Samuel 15:22; Romans 13:10).

• “I can control it.” Wisdom refuses mastery and near occasions of sin (1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8).

VI. A Better Way Forward

• Cultivate contentment and generosity (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:17–19).

• Pursue honest work and build margins (Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 21:5).

• Strengthen self-control through disciplines—prayer, Scripture, fellowship (Galatians 5:22–25; Acts 2:42).

• Shepherd the ensnared—confession, accountability, budgeting help, professional counseling when needed (James 5:16; Galatians 6:1–2).

VII. Appeal / Invitation

• Choose trust in the Lord’s providence. Renounce the worship of chance (Isaiah 65:11). Seek forgiveness and freedom in Christ. Devote resources to family, mercy, and the gospel (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:18–19).

Call to Action

Choose trust in God’s providence over the promises of chance. If gambling has touched your life, seek help, confess the struggle, and embrace Spirit-led self-control. Devote your resources to godliness, family, and mercy. Walk wisely, content with the Lord’s provision, and labor honestly for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• Gambling undermines the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12).

• God calls stewards to faithfulness, not risk on chance (1 Corinthians 4:2).

• The lure of quick riches feeds covetousness (1 John 2:16; Colossians 3:5).

• Christians pursue self-control, not enslavement (Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 6:12).

• Influence and companions matter (1 Corinthians 15:33; Colossians 4:5).

• Provide for your household; don’t imperil it (1 Timothy 5:8).

• Abstain from and expose unfruitful works (Ephesians 5:11).

• Use God’s gifts for good works and generosity (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17–19).

Scripture Reference List

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — Scripture equips the saint for every good work.

• Colossians 3:17 — Do all in the name of the Lord.

• Isaiah 65:11 — Rebuke of offering to “Fortune” and “Destiny.”

• Matthew 7:12; Romans 13:10 — Love your neighbor; the Golden Rule.

• 1 Corinthians 4:2; Matthew 25:14–30 — Faithful stewardship; parable of the talents.

• 1 John 2:16; Colossians 3:5 — Worldly cravings; covetousness is idolatry.

• Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Corinthians 6:12 — Self-control; avoid being mastered.

• 1 Peter 5:8 — Be sober-minded; beware the adversary.

• 1 Corinthians 15:33; Colossians 4:5 — Evil company; wise walk toward outsiders.

• Genesis 13:12–13 — Lot pitched toward Sodom; the danger of proximity.

• 1 Timothy 5:8 — Provide for one’s household.

• Proverbs 13:11 — Wealth gained hastily dwindles.

• Hebrews 13:5 — Be content; God is our helper.

• Ephesians 5:11; 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17–19 — Abstain and expose; labor and give generously.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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