Gambling is a multi-trillion dollar buisness worldwide. There are mixed views, both in the church and in the secular society, as to whether or not it is wrong.
What is gambling? The Lexicon Universal Enyclopedia defines gambling as, "The wagering of money or other values on the outcome of a game or event." A more philosophical definition is given by Jewish Rabbis, which is, "Mutual Robbery". I combine both definitions, which is wagering whatever it may be on the principle of mutual robbery. The process of wagering something maybe based on trickery, luck or skill which ever one is used the out come is the same. Some lose and others win what was wagered.
So What is wrong if people choose to gamble and some lose and other win? The answer is, the practice violates biblical principles. And whatever violates biblical principles is rebellion against God. Whatever is in rebellion again God is evil and carries evil consequences. What principles of the bible does gambling violate, since the bible does not deal directly with gambling? The question is answered by deducing the answer from clear biblical teachings. I will now proceed to deduce the answer from the following principles. (1) It violates the golden rule of Jesus in Luke 6:31, which says, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." No gambler wants to lose their possession when gambling. This clearly violates the golden rule, because they are seeking to do to others what they don't want for themselves. (2) Gambling violates the law of love, which "does no evil to its neighbor," Romans 13:10. To win what belongs to your neighbor through gambling is coveteous, unloving and selfish according to 1 Corinthians 13. (3) It is also unloving and evil because gambling breaks the law of equivalents. I will explain this and more in part 2.
All that have been said so far, show clearly that gambling is evil because it hurts one's fellowman and by implication violates the law of love which is against the very nature of God. KEEP AWAY FROM GAMBLING OR ELSE YOU WILL BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF GOD!!
