Gambling: A Biblical Perspective and the Path to Recovery

Have you ever played poker? Maybe roulette? Have you ever bet money while playing? If so, you’ve been gambling. Gambling happens as soon as you pay money for something without knowing the outcome. However, gambling seems to be a significant part of many people’s lives. It has become a habit for some, or even worse, a psychological disorder.

From a biblical perspective, the best argument against gambling is that when you gamble, you are coveting. That is, you are craving or “desiring” money that isn’t yours or belongs to someone else, as in poker. While this argument may sound compelling at first, upon examination, it falls apart. For starters, it ignores the fact that you are risking some of your own money to win something, rather than just “coveting” money outright.

Once you’ve controlled your addiction, start focusing on your debts. Realize this won’t be easy. You’ll need to work hard and do everything in your power to pay off your debts. Write down a list of everyone you owe. You might have overdrawn bank accounts or overdue credit. If you’re in serious trouble, you might even owe a bookie or loan shark. In either case, it’s crucial to pay off your debts.

The challenge with addicted gamblers is that they lose nearly all their rationality. They keep gambling and believe they will never lose. This keeps them going. The more they win, the more they bet.

The fact is that consistently predicting the outcome of rolling two dice at will is impossible. Don’t be fooled by those moments at the height of excitement when players shout numbers and the dice magically obey. Those moments are the exception, not the norm. Do you know any professional golfers who hit a hole-in-one at least once every 18 holes?

Pray often, saying aloud, “Lord, keep me from temptation” (This is part of the Lord’s Prayer from the Bible). Pray about why you gamble. Is it for greed? Then pray a lot about that, because the Bible says greedy people will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. Is it for excitement? Then pray about what alternatives you can find for joy.