What does God think about betting?

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JoshMal

JoshMal

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2018
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What does God think about betting? I don't mean excessive, drain-your-account or going-to-casinos kind of gambling. I mean just throwing in a few bucks to try your luck once in a while maybe in a lottery or a football, horse riding etc game. Is it wrong in the sight of God?
 
He told a parable about the 3 people who were charged to use their owner's funds to increased his wealth. The owner was furious with the person who was afraid to do this as he hid the money in the ground. There are reckless risks and there are calculated risks. If you want to get ahead in your service to God there are times that you have to count the costs and then let the dice fly. For entertainment purposes I don't see anything biblically wrong about an occasional casual bet on a game of chance. No, it's not wrong.
 
JoshMal said:
What does God think about betting? I don't mean excessive, drain-your-account or going-to-casinos kind of gambling. I mean just throwing in a few bucks to try your luck once in a while maybe in a lottery or a football, horse riding etc game. Is it wrong in the sight of God?
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I'll bet ya $5 bucks He ain't crazy about!

Just kiddin. I'm in agreement with Tourist.
 
JoshMal said:
What does God think about betting? I don't mean excessive, drain-your-account or going-to-casinos kind of gambling. I mean just throwing in a few bucks to try your luck once in a while maybe in a lottery or a football, horse riding etc game. Is it wrong in the sight of God?
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I am not scolding you. Just want you to start thinking differently.

Is God sovereign? Truly completely sovereign?

And, if he is, where does "your luck" come into that picture?
 
Just thought I'd ask. Thanks, guys.
* * *
Yeah, I know God is sovereign. @depleted
 
Ask Him for His guidance on it, our faith is based on relationship with the Father through Jesus.
As Christians i don't think we can rightfully believe in luck.

blessings
 
JoshMal said:
Just thought I'd ask. Thanks, guys.
* * *
Yeah, I know God is sovereign. @depleted
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Ha! Now you get stuck with the same thought I've been stuck with for years. What is that called when something good happens for no seeable reason? I can go with "grace," except it feels just like that thing that happens when nothing goes right.

I'm half Irish. People call it "Irish Luck." My "luck," is Murphy's Law luck. If it can go wrong, it will.

And yet, being a Christian I do believe God is sovereign too, and yet why is it I can touch a 200 year old bronze statue, and that's the moment it falls apart. lol

That's why I was saying I wasn't scolding you. Absolutely know there is no luck, until something off the wall happens to me like that.

We need another word. Just wish I could come up with that word.

Oh, BTW, with your original question, since the apostles used lots (which are like dice) to choose the 12th apostle, I don't think God is against gambling, just as long as it doesn't become an addiction.
 
good point! I had forgotten about the apostles casting lots. Do you suppose they prayed for divine intercession first?
I recall the New testament verse that speaks of how He promises to prosper the work of our hands, that doesn't mention the lottery ticket I bought last week, I do ask any winnings go to persons who will use it best for the Kingdom of G-d, and apparently I am not at the front of the line yet. ha!
blessings
 
Betting... hmm...

I'll bet all day, as long as we're not betting money. I don't have enough money to throw some away on a gamble. :cool:

Okay, okay, serious. I think the question in the OP is the wrong question to ask. God already gave you the brain you need to evaluate pros and cons and decide whether something is worthwhile. If you are asking "Does God think this is wrong?" I would first ask why you are asking this question.
 
tourist said:
He told a parable about the 3 people who were charged to use their owner's funds to increased his wealth. The owner was furious with the person who was afraid to do this as he hid the money in the ground. There are reckless risks and there are calculated risks. If you want to get ahead in your service to God there are times that you have to count the costs and then let the dice fly. For entertainment purposes I don't see anything biblically wrong about an occasional casual bet on a game of chance. No, it's not wrong.
Click to expand...

Men cast the lot and the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.....

I like black jack.....45% chance of winning and only one person you need to beat at the table....the dealer....HAHAHHAHAH NOW WATCH the accusations fly.......
 
The soldiers gambled for his robe after they crucified him so gambling's probably not one of his favorite things.... :rolleyes:
 
JoshMal said:
What does God think about betting? I don't mean excessive, drain-your-account or going-to-casinos kind of gambling. I mean just throwing in a few bucks to try your luck once in a while maybe in a lottery or a football, horse riding etc game. Is it wrong in the sight of God?
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YES
gambling is of Satan
seek your needs from God by prayer not by a lucky ticket
 
Ok. Obviously , d word 'luck' was not appropriate. I am not into gambling or betting at all, though. It's just a particular lottery game that keeps sending messages. It is about matching numbers. It cost not up to 20cents in U.S currency. I just had a strong feeling that I should try it, but also considering d tiny amount needed. So, I'm thinking to myself "Is this a temptation or Is this one of those situations where God blesses one in mysterious ways?" Surely, I know d imuplsive habit is wrong and I ain't 4 dat.
 
JoshMal said:
What does God think about betting? I don't mean excessive, drain-your-account or going-to-casinos kind of gambling. I mean just throwing in a few bucks to try your luck once in a while maybe in a lottery or a football, horse riding etc game. Is it wrong in the sight of God?
Click to expand...
Gambling is most certainly always based on greed, there are only ever a few big winners, but most are losers. I started playing the slots, but after a while I started to up my bets and walk out with no money. I could have done anything else with the money I wasted on those machines (Anything else)
 
JoshMal said:
Ok. Obviously , d word 'luck' was not appropriate. I am not into gambling or betting at all, though. It's just a particular lottery game that keeps sending messages. It is about matching numbers. It cost not up to 20cents in U.S currency. I just had a strong feeling that I should try it, but also considering d tiny amount needed. So, I'm thinking to myself "Is this a temptation or Is this one of those situations where God blesses one in mysterious ways?" Surely, I know d imuplsive habit is wrong and I ain't 4 dat.
Click to expand...
Yes temptation.
Small enticements lead a man astray.
The enemy is clever.
Nothing too obvious at first.
Just a wriggling worm on a hook ...
then gotcha
 
Thanks @ Waggles. D enemy is clever but with guidiance of the Spirit, we are a lot more clever.
D trick of pulling some1 into gambling is an old obvious trick by d Devil. D only reason I thought of this lotto thing was cuz I was looking for God's opinion about it.
 
shittim said:
good point! I had forgotten about the apostles casting lots. Do you suppose they prayed for divine intercession first?
I recall the New testament verse that speaks of how He promises to prosper the work of our hands, that doesn't mention the lottery ticket I bought last week, I do ask any winnings go to persons who will use it best for the Kingdom of G-d, and apparently I am not at the front of the line yet. ha!
blessings
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The apostles holed themselves in a room for weeks just praying. I'm thinking the lot casting was somewhere in there. They prayed -- a lot!

As for lottery tickets? With the odds of winning, I've come to the conclusion it is just as likely to be the winning ticket, if God has it blow right into my hand.

And yet, don't think I will fist my hands. Always open on a windy day, just in case. lol
 
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