Gambling And The Tenth Commandment -- By: Analee B. Dunn

Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 04:3 (Oct 2004)
Article: Gambling And The Tenth Commandment
Author: Analee B. Dunn


Gambling And The Tenth Commandment

Analee B. Dunn

Gambling in the United States, despite all the Federal and local restrictions against it, is the leading industry in the country, both in the number of participants and the amount of money involved.1

From state run lotteries, racetracks and off-track betting parlors; to private casinos and Internet games; and culminating in the office football pool, gambling has become a pervasive and acceptable form of social activity. Under the guise of supplementing a state’s budget, supporting education, or providing much-needed economic development (i.e. jobs), communities have approved and encouraged a wide spectrum of gambling activities. Much has been discussed of the pros and cons of gambling and whether or not society is helped or hurt by the practice. Questions concerning whether this is a proper way to increase the tax base or a trap to which people are addicted and society cheapened have been endlessly debated in the newspapers and legislatures. Countless debates are possible from a political perspective, but a Christian must also view gambling from a Biblical perspective. By determining our point of view consistently with Biblical principles, we can offer an important perspective to this timeless controversy.

The word “gamble” itself is not in the Bible. The practice of “casting lots” is mentioned, but this appears to have a different purpose than our modern definition of the practice. Recorded instances in the Bible indicate the practice was used to make choice, (Lev 16:8; Num 26:55; Jud 20:10; 1 Sam 10:20; Acts 1:26) determined position, (1 Chr 24:3, 5, 19; Luke 1:9) or bring judgment (Josh 7:13-18; Joel 3:3; Obad 11). As indicated by Proverbs 16:33, God determined the outcome and no personal gain was involved. Matthew 27:35 also records the instance of the Roman soldiers casting lots for the garments of Jesus. Quick access to money does not appear to be the goal.

For the purpose of this paper gambling will be defined as “to bet money on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event.”2

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