I buy a ticket sometimes, I think I need to be honest. I don't spend over a couple of dollars, but I see folks spend quite a bit and its none of my business. I have had friends tell me I'm wrong, and I asked for them to give me a verse in the Bible and not just the "Love of money is the root of evil".

 

When I get one I look around the store, I'm not honest in that move. I'm a grown man and if I want to do this I shouldn't feel bad and I don't. Why do I look around? Am I hurting my family/anyone by buying a ticket? Will this lead to a serious problem, hasn't so far.

 

God knows my heart, and he is my only judge.

 

Is it a Sin?

I buy a ticket sometimes, I think I need to be honest. I don't spend over a couple of dollars, but I see folks spend quite a bit and its none of my business. I have had friends tell me I'm wrong, and I asked for them to give me a verse in the Bible and not just the "Love of money is the root of evil".

 

When I get one I look around the store, I'm not honest in that move. I'm a grown man and if I want to do this I shouldn't feel bad and I don't. Why do I look around? Am I hurting my family/anyone by buying a ticket? Will this lead to a serious problem, hasn't so far.

 

God knows my heart, and he is my only judge.

 

Is it a Sin?

 

You've already answered your own question. No, it's not (at least not for you).

Well, gambling is a vice, the same way as drinking or using drugs. I'm of the opinion it's only a problem if you allow it to be, which speaks to my Catholic upbringing of "it's not a sin if done in moderation."

 

Some diehard Bible-tossers, however, think that just one drink, toke or penny wagered means you are a hopeless addict. I guess it all depends on how you approach it.

Well, gambling is a vice, the same way as drinking or using drugs. I'm of the opinion it's only a problem if you allow it to be, which speaks to my Catholic upbringing of "it's not a sin if done in moderation."

 

Some diehard Bible-tossers, however, think that just one drink, toke or penny wagered means you are a hopeless addict. I guess it all depends on how you approach it.

 

Mostly agree, except for the drugs. Most drugs are illegal, therefore taking them would be a violation of the law, thus making it sinful.

 

Not sinful to gamble, though I think it's unwise. Same w/ drinking. Why take one step down a path that often leads to major problems and self-destruction?

 

But if a person chooses to spend a couple of dollars a month, that's their choice, and there really isn't a biblical precedent forbidding it.

There is a Bible verse for every reason and every argument. One of the things I've learned from the P&R Forum on here over the years.

Mostly agree, except for the drugs. Most drugs are illegal, therefore taking them would be a violation of the law, thus making it sinful.

 

Not sinful to gamble, though I think it's unwise. Same w/ drinking. Why take one step down a path that often leads to major problems and self-destruction?

 

But if a person chooses to spend a couple of dollars a month, that's their choice, and there really isn't a biblical precedent forbidding it.

So is betting a football game sinful?

Mostly agree, except for the drugs. Most drugs are illegal, therefore taking them would be a violation of the law, thus making it sinful.

 

Not sinful to gamble, though I think it's unwise. Same w/ drinking. Why take one step down a path that often leads to major problems and self-destruction?

 

But if a person chooses to spend a couple of dollars a month, that's their choice, and there really isn't a biblical precedent forbidding it.

 

I wouldn't equate sin with law.

I played the weekly football card a few years ago, $1 a week. Won several times and got more in telling others than winning the actually $10. It was just fun trying to pick the games. I knew of some guys who spent a lot of cash on this card.

 

I think it hurts a Christian's witness. But again judging comes into play also.

 

I've gone to the Derby and picked the right horse, $2 ticket but again it was more fun in realizing I had picked the horse than in the winning of cash.

 

Man...Lottery/card/horses doesn't sound good does it? I'm a honest person and I just trying to see others thoughts.

I played the weekly football card a few years ago, $1 a week. Won several times and got more in telling others than winning the actually $10. It was just fun trying to pick the games. I knew of some guys who spent a lot of cash on this card.

 

I think it hurts a Christian's witness. But again judging comes into play also.

 

I've gone to the Derby and picked the right horse, $2 ticket but again it was more fun in realizing I had picked the horse than in the winning of cash.

 

Man...Lottery/card/horses doesn't sound good does it? I'm a honest person and I just trying to see others thoughts.

 

Next thing you know you'll be subscribing to the Daily Racing Form.

Gambling is only a sin if you don't win!!!

Gambling is not a sin, drinking is not a sin, etc....Not sure why anyone would think they are? :confused:

I agree, but these two plus overeating must be controlled. I hate alcohol, any type of it but if I went to a person's home and they were drinking a little wine/beer it wouldn't bother me, and I wouldn't leave or say anything, but if the drinking becomes on going I'll just leave.

 

We all have been in line at the store and the person in front buys all kind of tickets, I don't judge and won't, maybe they can afford to do it. I bought a Cash 5 ticket for a dollar several years ago and had 4 numbers and the 5th was a 25 and I had a 26. One diget from $100k, it was a funny feeling to be so close, but the next week I spent $1.00 on it.

If the lottery is a sin, then investing in the stock market is also a sin. In both you're putting up money in a gamble to make more money. Same with betting on ball games, horses, or purchasing an NCAA bracket during March Madness.

 

I won $1600 in a locally run contest during the 1999 NCAA tournament with my choices on my bracket. A lady told me a few days later that it was a sin to take the money because it was gambling. I told her, "Well, I'm not goin' give it back." Then I gave her the stock market analogy and she said, "Oh, but that's different." But she couldn't explain how it was different when I pressed her and the conversation ended. IMO there is no difference.

Ask for a Bible verse, they can't give one.^^^^^

The only thing that I can think of that would make me squeamish about it, is that the Roman soldiers/guards gambled for Jesus' clothes after they had beaten him.

 

That doesn't put gambling in a good light.

 

Not saying it forbids it but does associate gambling with the worse moment of our history.