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Gambling and betting are seen by many as forms of entertainment and leisure activities that are relatively harmless. But can gambling and betting of our money and resources be truly considered harmless entertainment? Gambling and betting involve activities in which, in most cases, money changes hands based on chance and risk. The risk is to the one gambling or placing bets, who often does so without rationally thinking about risk. Such activities include casino games, slot machines, card games, lotteries, scratch-off cards, horse racing, betting on sports games, and more. Many of these activities are now available online and even through apps on our phones that provide “gamers” opportunities to compete in fantasy sports competitions and tournaments for cash prizes. The appeal of gambling and betting is the thrill of the possible win and the emotional high that it brings. It holds out the opportunity to make a fast buck, to double or triple returns on seemingly small bets, and in some situations like national and state lotteries, the ability to get rich quickly. How should Christians think about all this? Does the Bible give us insight and direction on these kinds of things? Join Dr. Richard Caldwell and Dr. Josh Philpot on the Straight Truth Podcast this week to hear what they understand the Bible to teach regarding gambling and betting and how it is, that these things relate to our desires and what’s going on in our hearts.

Dr. Caldwell shares that he doesn't want to be involved in gambling at all, at any level, and that's because it has to do with what the Bible teaches about our attitude toward wealth. Gambling dangles the carrot that it's possible to get something for next to nothing. For some, it may be about the thrill of chance and maybe even the thrill of the occasional win. But for most, when it comes to gambling/betting, it’s about the desire to make money and gain wealth. Therefore, we have to ask, what does the Bible teach about wealth? Dr. Caldwell first reminds us that the Scriptures teach us not to set our hearts on wealth. He then shares Proverbs 13:11, 15:27, 20:21, and 21:5. As he reads these verses, he also explains how they reveal that the desire to get rich is not good; it is not a healthy desire. The following are a few insights Dr. Caldwell points out from these verses and others regarding the desire to gain riches and wealth:

 There’s a lack of understanding of how we're to earn and make money through labor, work, and regular ongoing effort. (We are exhorted to work hard and earn a living, 2 Thessalonians 3:10.)
 There’s a hastiness and a recklessness that lacks a principled and disciplined approach to earning wealth.
 There’s greed, which by the Apostle Paul, through the Spirit of God, is equated with idolatry (Colossians 3:5). It's loving money/wealth/riches more than God. (We cannot serve God and money, Matthew 6:24).
 There is a lack of contentment and satisfaction in what God has chosen to give to us.
 We are warned against the love of money. The Bible teaches that it is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
 Scripture clearly warns us to avoid attempts to “get rich quick”.

Gambling/betting focuses on the love of money and tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches. It does the opposite of what Scripture calls us to do and be. Dr. Caldwell says this is why gambling is sinful. It is sinful as to its desires. It’s sinful as to its lack of discipline. It’s sinful as to its lack of satisfaction, and it is sinful as to its untrusting nature toward the means that God has ordained to take care of us. Most important is that gambling and betting are issues that spring from our hearts, and they require us to ask ourselves some questions:

 Why am I doing this?
 What is driving this, no matter how small or large the risk might be?
 What is the belief behind my desire to participate in this?
 What do I think I am going to have if I win?

Dr. Caldwell does not presume that everyone who puts down some money in the office pool is operating in the realm of the verses he has shared from Proverbs. However, he would not participate in those things no matter how minimal the risk is because he believes there is a danger of deadening our consciences toward many of these issues he spoke about.