Gambling

finnpark

Is making a living from gambling a sin?

Asiaprod

finnpark wrote:

Is making a living from gambling a sin?

No, just very risky

kc66

Is your conscience getting to you with the success of your new laying strategy?

UU

I don't think Judaism or Christianity forbid it but Islam certainly does! :rolleyes:

fade2black

Why are you rolling your eyes at the end of that sentence?

UU

Well, my friend is Muslim and he's always giving out to me when I want to play poker (which isn't very often!). Although, once he did play it on the sly but I promised him, it would be kept secret! He was brilliant at it and really got into it. His dad prevented him from playing Pokemon cards when he was 12 years old as he considered it gambling.

wb

My local church holds a weekly 'lotto' type draw. Also, I have seen priests at Race meetings before. Having said that, I remember reading about it being bad somewhere, so I don't know really.

arctic lemur

Only place in bible i can think of is when they cast lots for Jesus clothes

wb

I notice that they had a mass at the start of the Galway races, and the priest prayed that the punters would do well, so it can't be all that bad according to the Catholic Church anyway. Like alcohol, I think gambling can be good in small doses as long as you can remain in control, and not let it affect your life too much.

T-1111111111111

According to some, it appears that it is a sin.

http://www.studythebible.com/question/topics/gambling.htm

It also talks about lottery.

wb

It is a sin because one goes against God’s plan for man, that he is to earn his living by the sweat of his brow, Genesis 3:19.

Anyone who has a serious gamble on a race would have a lot of moments where they were sweating!



I think that takes things too literaly. If thats the case, working in an air-conditioned office goes against God's plan.

athena 2000

finnpark wrote:

Is making a living from gambling a sin?

Depends. Are you a casino owner or are you a stockbroker? Unless you're really good at your game, it might be a sin to you. What does your conscience say?

There are no specific condemnations of gambling, betting, or even the lottery in the bible. However...(gotta love the "howevers") scripture does instruct one to stay away from the love of money and attempts to get rich quick. You can't say that gambling doesn't put ideas in your head of making a fast buck (or mucho fast bucks) - unless you don't gamble at all.

People waste money on lots of things; entertainment, seeing bad movies, & other worthless stuff. If gambling is done in moderation on occasion, then in my opinion it's a waste of money for entertainment purposes - hardly a sin. But if you have a gambling addiction, then you've got a real problem to deal with.

My dad and I talked about poker recently. He played quite a bit of it when he was younger. His opinion, as someone who was used to winning on a regular basis, was that when a man who plays poker is single, then poker is not gambling, per se, because what he does with his money affects primarily & only him. But when a man marries, poker moves into the category of gambling, because you shouldn't risk money that belongs to the family and provides support and investment for the future. My dad has some interesting ways of looking at things.

Now if you're going to be a professional gambler, then you'd better be building a nice, big, fat, bankroll for your operating capital!

BrianCalgary

I have put some thought into this since yesterday. And here is my conclusion.

When lots were cast in the Bible it was only to come to a decision, there was not a wager where someone could lose their possession.

Gambling can become an addiction (been there) which can be destructive to you family by taking away the food money. Gambling by nature means you have a winner and a loser, it does not add to the economy, nor does it create overall wealth.

Wasting my money elsewhere, I at least receive a good or service for my cash and wealth in the economy is created.

wb

BrianCalgary wrote:

I have put some thought into this since yesterday. And here is my conclusion.

When lots were cast in the Bible it was only to come to a decision, there was not a wager where someone could lose their possession.

Gambling can become an addiction (been there) which can be destructive to you family by taking away the food money. Gambling by nature means you have a winner and a loser, it does not add to the economy, nor does it create overall wealth.

Wasting my money elsewhere, I at least receive a good or service for my cash and wealth in the economy is created.

But is gambling a sin though?

BrianCalgary

wbailey wrote:

But is gambling a sin though?

Don't know yet. I'll have to look it up. My initial reaction is if it starts to hurt financially and your other obligations suffer then: yes.

wb

BrianCalgary wrote:

Don't know yet. I'll have to look it up. My initial reaction is if it starts to hurt financially and your other obligations suffer then: yes.

I feel that it is similar to drinking..

Enjoyable in small doses if it does not take over your life, or especially your family life.

I think it is one of life's simple pleasures that is great if enjoyed responsibly.

robindch

> But is gambling a sin though?

Out of interest folks -- all of you are talking about whether or not one specific book says (or doesn't say) that gambling is bad for you. At what point do you reckon you have to sit down and work through the issue from the point of view of the effects of something based upon what happens in society, rather than the point of view as described in the bible?

Asiaprod

BrianCalgary wrote:

Wasting my money elsewhere, I at least receive a good or service for my cash and wealth in the economy is created.

I dont think this is an accurate statement BC. A gambler will get a service for his/her cash, lets call it enjoyment, and the money will eventually seep back into the economy via wages or winners spending their gains and wealth will be created.

Not that I hold with sin, but if I did, I would agree that when your other obligations suffer it is fast approaching that position. However, I do tend to see gambling as more of a socal issue type problem tbh.

homer911

Another thought-through take on the question from gotquestions.org

http://www.gotquestions.org/gambling-sin.html

Fanny Cradock

Given that this thread is about half a decade old, I think if people are interested in discussing the topic it would be best to start a new thread.