What does the Bible say about gambling addictions?
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The Bible warns that gambling can become a sinful bondage when it feeds greed, discontentment, and the love of money rather than trust in God. Hebrews 13:5 calls believers to contentment, while 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns that the desire to be rich brings many into ruin. Scripture teaches that Christians must not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12) or serve money instead of God (Matthew 6:24). Proverbs 13:11 and 23:4-5 caution against hasty gain and chasing wealth that quickly disappears. Those enslaved to gambling should seek Christ’s mercy, confess their sin, pursue wise accountability, and rest in God’s faithful provision.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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."
- Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
- 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."
- Proverbs 23:4-5
[4] Don't weary yourself to be rich. In your wisdom, show restraint. [5] Why do you set your eyes on that which is not? For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
- 1 Timothy 6:9
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.
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