Is it a Sin for Christians To Play the Lottery or Gamble?

I was asked the following question today from a friend: Angeline is it wrong ... sin for Christians to play the lottery? I’m not a player at all but I have thought about it. Is playing the lottery like you are trying to make things happen on your own and not totally depending on God to meet all your needs? Or am I looking at it too deep? Is it really that serious? I have seen plenty of people I see at church in lottery line. That's like if I go to Vegas can I as a Christian play slot machine? Lol...I’m just asking just always wondered and no one to ask. I feel like you can if not a habit, but I could be wrong. --V.

Hi V, 
 
Although I can’t think of a scripture that talks about the lottery, or gambling, there are biblical principles which lead me to believe that gambling is not biblical. I have played a few times years ago, but I felt convicted because I do believe it shows a lack of faith and I also believe it is dabbling in witchcraft and I believe the demonic is at its roots because of the destruction it causes.
 
I put everything that is addictive in the same category… Gambling, like alcohol, or drugs is dangerous because it is compulsive and addictive. It gradually destroys; individuals, marriages, and relationships. It leads to; debt, bankruptcy, child abuse, alcoholism, drug-addiction, prostitution, infidelity, theft, divorce, and suicide. Instead of relying on God, gamblers trust in luck, fate, and fortune.
 
Gambling to me is stealing by consent, even though both parties are involved because it is a loss that one person endures to his hurt, even though he gives his consent most of the time under duress of addiction. Who is behind the stealing? The Bible says in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” 

Gambling can destroy your witness of Christ: “20 Don’t ruin God’s work because of what you eat. All food is acceptable, but it’s wrong for a person to eat something if it causes someone else to have doubts. 21 The right thing to do is to avoid eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that causes another Christian to have doubts. 22 So whatever you believe about these things, keep it between yourself and God. The person who does what he knows is right shouldn’t feel guilty. He is blessed. 23 But if a person has doubts and still eats, he is condemned because he didn’t act in faith. Anything that is not done in faith is sin.” (Romans 14:20-23 (GW)
 
Gambling is a form of the love of money. Remember, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Look what 1st Timothy 6:9-11 says about the love of money: “But those who desire to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness...”.
 
If you feel like playing the lottery is like you are trying to make things happen on your own and not totally depending on God to meet all your needs, then to you it is a sin. ”15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 (NLT)
  
Bottom line is:

• Is it helpful, either spiritually, physically, or mentally? Not everything is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
• Is God be pleased that we gamble His money away rather than investing in the ministry of a church, feeding the poor, or buying clothes or food for our own family? 
• Will it bring us under its power? I will not be mastered by anything. (I Corinthians 6:12)
• Does it hurt others? We are not to indulge in activity which we know might cause others to stumble. (I Corinthians 8:13)
• Does it glorify God? Do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)

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