QA: Is GAMBLING a sin?

QA: Is GAMBLING a sin?

Hey everyone, Good to have you reading with us on this fine day.  We’re taking the time to answer more questions that are out there so please don’t hesitate to ask at connect@swordsharp.com. SURE, YOU’VE HEARD a Christian in a debate respond to the question “YOU WANNA BET?” with something like, “I WOULD… but I don’t gamble.”  Another well-intentioned Christian may be invited to a casino but deny the request saying, “No, no, I’m a Christian.  I don’t do that.”  This, naturally, leads the requester to internally ask, “am I sinning when I make a bet?” So, let’s ask the question directly so we can answer it in an unbiased way: Is GAMBLING a SIN? There is a big group that will say, “yes” but if asked to provide scriptural references for their stance many may struggle to find one that definitively counts all forms of betting or gambling as a sin.  While many have learned from “tradition” that betting and gambling are sins, the Bible does not directly outlaw them. There are those believers that say, “no, it is not a sin to bet or gamble.”  Based on our research we can say without bias that their position is actually the correct one.  But it is not a good enough reason to say, “the Bible does not mention it, so it is not a sin!”  The Bible does not mention cocaine or Russian roulette either but that doesn’t make them ok with God!  Let’s examine 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.” Assuming it is lawful...