The Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, but its principles clearly address the practice. Scripture warns against pursuing quick riches, noting in Proverbs 13:11 that wealth gained hastily diminishes quickly. First Timothy 6:9-10 cautions that the desire for wealth leads to temptation and ruin, identifying love of money as a root of evil. Biblical stewardship emphasizes careful planning, living within one’s means, and recognizing God’s ownership of all resources. Gambling contradicts these principles by relying on chance rather than faithful management. The broader scriptural context offers substantial guidance on this matter.
Key Takeaways
- The Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, but biblical principles address greed, stewardship, and seeking quick riches.
- Gambling contradicts stewardship by risking God’s resources on chance rather than faithful, wise management and planning.
- Scripture warns against pursuing quick wealth, which diminishes rapidly and demonstrates a lack of wisdom and understanding.
- The love of money, often fueling gambling, is identified as a root of evil leading to spiritual ruin.
- Gambling can foster greed, materialism, and dependence on chance instead of trust in God’s provision and sovereignty.
Biblical Principles of Stewardship and Wealth Management
How should Christians view their relationship with money and possessions? Scripture presents a framework where God owns everything in creation, including all wealth (Psalm 24:1). The Old Testament began forming as early as 1500-1400 BC, showing stewardship themes across centuries. Humans serve as stewards—managers entrusted with divine resources rather than independent owners. This perspective transforms financial decisions into acts of worship that acknowledge God’s sovereignty.
Biblical teaching emphasizes planning and saving, as illustrated by Joseph’s prudent preparation in Egypt. Ecclesiastes 11:2 advises diversifying investments across “seven ventures, yes, in eight” to reduce risk. Debt is discouraged as a form of bondage that limits freedom. Proverbs endorses hard work, accurate recordkeeping, and seeking counsel. Living within one’s means prevents the financial strain that comes from borrowing beyond capacity. Prayer invites God’s wisdom and peace into financial decisions, serving as both the starting and ending point of sound money management.
Central to stewardship is generosity—allowing resources to flow to others rather than hoarding them. This approach views wealth as temporary, prioritizing eternal investments through giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The Spiritual Dangers of Greed and Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
While Scripture affirms stewardship through planning and generosity, it also confronts the opposite impulse—the drive to accumulate wealth rapidly without regard for wisdom or integrity. The Bible contains 31,102 verses that address wisdom and conduct, among other topics.
Proverbs 13:11 warns that wealth gained hastily dwindles away, while Proverbs 28:20-22 cautions that those avid to get rich invite poverty and punishment.
The pursuit of quick riches is described as chasing fantasies in Proverbs 12:11, lacking understanding and wisdom.
First Timothy 6:9 explains that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 adds that lovers of money never find satisfaction.
The love of money, Scripture teaches in 1 Timothy 6:10, serves as the root of many evils, dividing hearts from God. This relentless pursuit can lead to unforeseen moral and spiritual jeopardy, steering hearts away from integrity and long-term stability. Matthew 6:24 declares that no one can serve both God and money, revealing how greed’s promise of freedom becomes spiritual bondage.
