In this sermon, Pastor Matt explains biblical wisdom regarding gambling. 1. It is wise to work hard 2. Fast wealth fades 3. Don’t oppress the poor The Gospel alternative to gambling: 1. Character and hard work 2. Giving to the poor and serving the kingdom of God, always sound investments!
Proverbs and the Seven Deadly Sins of Smartphones: Greed
I was living in Minneapolis when I first encountered lottery mania. The Powerball jackpot had soared past $300 million, and everyone was talking about it. I didn’t buy a ticket, but Jack Whittaker, a construction worker from Virginia, did. Known for his generosity and big personality, he won a staggering $314 million windfall.
Jack was not stingy. He shared his wealth with family, tipped waitresses generously, supported his local adult club, and donated to charities and churches. Yet, despite his good intentions, he later told ABC News he believed his life was cursed. Within a few years, he lost his wife, his reputation, his granddaughter to drugs, his home to a fire, and every penny of his winnings.
Gambling has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada, and I’ve noticed it more recently. A couple of years ago, I couldn’t browse the internet without seeing ads for online sports betting, likely targeted at my age group. It made me think: What should a Christian’s response to gambling be? Today’s sermon addresses this question.
At the convenience store today, I saw someone buying a lottery ticket, and it reminded me that I’ve never been tempted by lotteries. I consider them a crime against math, which feels adjacent to a crime against God. Sports betting, however, has occasionally tempted me, though I’ve resisted. Gambling used to mean visiting shady characters like Cousin Vinnie, risking a broken leg, or watching the Lotto 6/49 draw on TV. Now, the casino lives in our pockets via smartphones, making it more accessible than ever. As temptations grow closer, our holiness must rise to meet the challenges of the day.
So, the big question: Is gambling a sin? Let’s define our terms. Consider a simple game like Yahtzee, which my family enjoys. It involves chance—rolling dice, hoping for five of a kind. There’s some skill in choosing which dice to keep, but the thrill comes from the randomness. Is this sinful?
The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention games of chance, but Jesus participated in forms of leisure, like dining at social gatherings (Luke 14:1). Scripture suggests we can engage in leisure in moderation, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Even the roll of the dice is under God’s sovereignty: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33). So, playing games like Yahtzee for fellowship and fun seems permissible in the right context.
But what about lotteries, casinos, or sports betting? Is gambling with money inherently sinful? It’s sinful if it involves greed or coveting. The Tenth Commandment forbids coveting—desiring what isn’t yours. Lottery ads exploit this by dangling dreams of lavish homes and celebrity lifestyles, directly contradicting God’s command. If you gamble to gain what belongs to others, that’s sin.
However, we have a Redeemer. Jesus Christ offers salvation to all who confess their sins, from the smallest to the greatest. Still, the desire to get rich is dangerous. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.”
Gambling is a small but real part of this undue desire in our culture. Yet, living a godly life involves more than avoiding sin—it requires wisdom. Proverbs fills the gap between clear sins (like murder) and clear commands (like loving God and neighbor). Let’s explore three principles from Proverbs that apply to gambling:
- Work Hard
Proverbs 12:11 says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” Work that produces something—whether crops, goods, or services—is God’s design for provision. Gambling, however, is a foolish endeavor. Lottery tickets lose 35-50% of their value on average, and slot machines lose 8-15%. No one would invest in a fund guaranteed to lose half its value! More insidiously, gambling promotes the idea that wealth comes from chance, severing the God-ordained link between work and gain. While high-risk investments like some stocks or cryptocurrencies can resemble gambling, true investing involves supporting productive work, aligning with God’s design. - Fast Wealth Fades
Proverbs 13:11 states, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” Jack Whittaker’s story illustrates this: quick wealth often leads to ruin. Proverbs 20:21 adds, “An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” Easy money, disconnected from work, rarely lasts. Wealth attracts fleeting friends who disappear when the money runs out (Proverbs 19:4). The prodigal son’s story repeats often, and not all find their way back to the Father. - Don’t Oppress the Poor
Proverbs 14:31 warns, “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth…will only come to poverty.” Lotteries disproportionately harm the poor, who spend a higher percentage of their income on tickets. If I won a million dollars, that money would largely come from poorer people who could have used it for essentials. Participating in state-sponsored gambling makes us complicit in exploiting the vulnerable. John Piper calls lotteries a “tax on the poor,” worsening their situation. I mourn for those trapped in gambling addiction, like a man I knew who nearly lost everything to slot machines.
What about charity raffles, like those for the Lions Club? These are often less about greed and more about community support. I’ve bought raffle tickets to donate, not to win. However, as a church, we avoid raffles to ensure giving stems from love for God, not a desire for prizes. Be wary of raffles, especially those with large cash prizes, but don’t judge others harshly.
Instead of gambling, make solid investments:
- Invest in Character
Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” Character matters more than wealth. I once visited a casino with friends in university and felt convicted—it was a sad place, filled with people mesmerized by slot machines. Our hope lies not in perfect character but in Jesus Christ, who purifies us by His mercy and justifies us by His blood. - Invest in Hard Work
Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings.” Even mundane jobs can be done heartily for Christ (Colossians 3:23). In our economy, we may feel disconnected from our labor’s fruit, but work diligently as unto the Lord, not for quick riches. - Invest in the Poor and the Kingdom
Proverbs 19:17 promises, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his deed.” Giving to the poor is like depositing in God’s heavenly bank, with eternal rewards (Matthew 6:19-20). Instead of buying a $2 lottery ticket for a fleeting thrill, give to ministries like Good News Chapel, which serves the poor. Serving Jesus’ kingdom—through generosity and sacrifice—yields joy today and sure profit forever.
Let’s turn from greed, avoid lotteries and gambling, and stand up for the poor exploited by these systems. Above all, invest in what lasts: character, hard work, and God’s kingdom.