Sports betting

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
F

FriendlyGuitarist

Guest
#1
#1
What are your thoughts on Sports betting?

I've heard from both sides that it's okay and not okay. The people who say it's okay do make a good point though that sports betting is the same as investing your money in stocks. You don't know when the stocks will crash and lose your money. Many Christians invest in stocks so why not bet on sports? It's practically the same thing but you have a way better chance of winning money if you know your sports then in the stock market.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#2
Jan 24, 2011
11,783
2,947
113
#2
Betting is gambling. It is not putting your trust in God to provide, but looking for easy money. And a lot of people get addicted to sports gambling, too!

I am totally against sports betting! No verses, as there is not a lot in the Bible about sports. They were too busy living to worry about battles for teams to win. If they wanted to worry about "teams" it was more along the lines of wars, and fighting the enemy.
 
P

phil112

Guest
#3
#3
FriendlyGuitarist said:
What are your thoughts on Sports betting?

I've heard from both sides that it's okay and not okay. The people who say it's okay do make a good point though that sports betting is the same as investing your money in stocks. You don't know when the stocks will crash and lose your money. Many Christians invest in stocks so why not bet on sports? It's practically the same thing but you have a way better chance of winning money if you know your sports then in the stock market.
Click to expand...
Here's the problem. God would want you to do something profitable with your money. Help someone, buy somebody some groceries, give someone some needed gas money, etc.
How are you going to justify that gamble when you lose? What line of reasoning can you give God that losing your money like that was better than helping out someone in need?
 
G

Gr8grace

Guest
#4
#4
It is between the Lord and the individual believer. There is nobody here that can say it is wrong.


I rent movies, I buy games, I go on vacation, I buy rib eye steaks, I enjoy a fresh brewed IPA,I buy GOOD cigars........all for my enjoyment and entertainment. It is between the Lord and I if I take any of these things to far.

I threw 5 bucks in a video lottery machine the other day and won 30. It was fun. It entertained me.

The freedom in Christ is FUN. Don't let anyone take that away from you. As we grow, in our PERSONAL relationship with the Lord.............we will get it worked out.
 
F

FriendlyGuitarist

Guest
#5
#5
Angela53510 said:
Betting is gambling. It is not putting your trust in God to provide, but looking for easy money. And a lot of people get addicted to sports gambling, too!

I am totally against sports betting! No verses, as there is not a lot in the Bible about sports. They were too busy living to worry about battles for teams to win. If they wanted to worry about "teams" it was more along the lines of wars, and fighting the enemy.
Click to expand...
Christians invest in the stock market so that is saying they also don't trust in God? As the stock market can also win you a lot of easy money, or lost it.
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#6
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#6
What's the difference? Even people who love Bingo put in their $$ in order to win the jackpot. All for fun and entertainment.

As Gr8Grace said, it is such a personal matter between the Lord and your own conscience.
And everyone really knows if they are going too far.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#7
Nov 24, 2012
30,707
3,650
113
#7
God is not a God of chance...

It is interesting a form of sports betting happened at the foot of the Cross.
Would you feel comfortable placing your bets on your favorite team at that location?

so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, "They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did these things,
(Joh 19:24)


they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
(Psa 22:18)
 
V

VioletReigns

Guest
#8
#8
I thought he was taking bets. Oops! Never mind... I'm leaving now. heehee :eek: j/k
 
A

atwhatcost

Guest
#9
#9
FriendlyGuitarist said:
What are your thoughts on Sports betting?

I've heard from both sides that it's okay and not okay. The people who say it's okay do make a good point though that sports betting is the same as investing your money in stocks. You don't know when the stocks will crash and lose your money. Many Christians invest in stocks so why not bet on sports? It's practically the same thing but you have a way better chance of winning money if you know your sports then in the stock market.
Click to expand...
Practical advice -- don't do either. If you think investing is equal to gambling, you're probably not good at either.

I can pick out some stock that is all but guaranteed to make you money over the long haul, (the only way I can see you losing money is if the world ends or God miraculously dink the corporate headquarters with all management in the office that day into a humongous sink hole), and I don't even have to study the businesses that hard to figure it out.
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#10
Sep 4, 2013
30,231
6,560
113
#10
Gr8grace said:
It is between the Lord and the individual believer. There is nobody here that can say it is wrong.


I rent movies, I buy games, I go on vacation, I buy rib eye steaks, I enjoy a fresh brewed IPA,I buy GOOD cigars........all for my enjoyment and entertainment. It is between the Lord and I if I take any of these things to far.

I threw 5 bucks in a video lottery machine the other day and won 30. It was fun. It entertained me.

The freedom in Christ is FUN. Don't let anyone take that away from you. As we grow, in our PERSONAL relationship with the Lord.............we will get it worked out.
Click to expand...
Some folks like to splurge on hookers.............hey, go for it! It's fun, it's entertaining

Some folks like to get falling down drunk.......hey, go for it! It's fun, and funny to see

Some folks like to get stoned.............hey, go for it! It's fun, and funny to see

Some folks like to...........aw well...........sigh
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#11
Sep 4, 2013
30,231
6,560
113
#11
FriendlyGuitarist said:
What are your thoughts on Sports betting?

I've heard from both sides that it's okay and not okay. The people who say it's okay do make a good point though that sports betting is the same as investing your money in stocks. You don't know when the stocks will crash and lose your money. Many Christians invest in stocks so why not bet on sports? It's practically the same thing but you have a way better chance of winning money if you know your sports then in the stock market.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is true that some Christians, Denominations invest in the Stock Market. Doesn't make it right in my opinion. There are some Christians/Denominations that do a lot of things that are not in keeping with God's Word............

But, folks will find any excuse they can to justify something they want to do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.