What does the Bible say about gambling?
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The Bible does not name gambling directly, but it warns against the greed, love of money, haste for wealth, and lack of self-control that often accompany it. Proverbs 13:11 commends wealth gained little by little, while Proverbs 28:22 cautions against eagerness to get rich. Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24) and must guard our hearts from covetousness (Luke 12:15). Hebrews 13:5 and Ecclesiastes 5:10 call believers to contentment, and 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns that the desire to be rich brings spiritual harm. Christians should use money as faithful stewards, work honestly, give generously, and refuse any practice that masters the conscience or harms neighbor (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Corinthians 6:12).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
- Hebrews 13:5
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, "I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you."
- 1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10
[9] But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- Luke 12:15
He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."
- Ephesians 4:28
Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
- Proverbs 28:22
A stingy man hurries after riches, And doesn't know that poverty waits for him.
- 1 Corinthians 6:12
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
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