12 Bible Verses About Gambling

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
Published on:

Are you curious about what the Bible says about gambling? While the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention gambling, it does discuss principles related to it.

In this article, we will explore twelve powerful Bible verses about gambling and what they teach us about wise decision-making, the love of money, and being good stewards of the resources God has given us.

We will also look at what Bible chapters you can read to learn more about the potential negative consequences of gambling and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of one’s spiritual well-being.

Bible verses about gambling

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about gambling:

1. Proverbs 13:11 – “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
2. Proverbs 28:22 – “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.”
3. Ecclesiastes 5:10 – “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.”
4. 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
5. Hebrews 13:5 – “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
6. Luke 12:15 – “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

7. Proverbs 23:4-5 – “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
8. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
9. Proverbs 28:20 – “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”
10. Proverbs 15:27 – “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
11. Matthew 6:24 – “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
12. Proverbs 21:5 – “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”

What does the Bible say about gambling?

The Bible does not explicitly mention gambling, but it does discuss principles related to it.

The Bible teaches that money should be earned through honest work and that we should be good stewards of the resources God has given us.

It also warns against the love of money and the temptation to become greedy.

Additionally, the Bible encourages us to avoid activities that may cause harm to ourselves or others.

Therefore, while the Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, it does caution against the potential negative consequences and encourages wise decision-making.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about gambling?

There are no specific chapters in the Bible that are solely dedicated to the topic of gambling. However, there are various verses throughout the Bible that condemn the love of money and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of one’s spiritual well-being. Some of these verses can be found in 1 Timothy 6, Proverbs 13, and Ecclesiastes 5. These verses warn against the destructive nature of greed and the pursuit of riches, and encourage believers to prioritize their relationship with God above material wealth. While gambling itself is not specifically mentioned in these chapters, the principles outlined can be applied to the practice of gambling and its potential negative effects on one’s spiritual and financial health.

Ideas and concepts related to gambling that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

1. Stewardship – The concept of stewardship is about managing resources entrusted to us by God. It includes the responsibility to use our resources wisely and not waste them on frivolous or harmful activities like gambling.

2. Greed – The Bible warns against the love of money and the desire to get rich quickly. Gambling can be a manifestation of greed and a desire for quick and easy money.

3. Contentment – The Bible teaches us to be content with what we have and not to covet what belongs to others. Gambling can lead to a desire for more and more money, which can lead to discontentment and a lack of gratitude for what we already have.

4. Honesty – The Bible teaches us to be honest in all our dealings. Gambling can involve deceit and dishonesty, such as cheating or lying to win.

5. Addiction – The Bible warns against addiction and the dangers of being enslaved to anything. Gambling can become addictive and lead to a loss of control over one’s life and finances.

Overall, the Bible teaches us to be responsible and wise with our resources, to avoid greed and covetousness, to be content with what we have, to be honest in all our dealings, and to avoid addiction and enslavement to anything. These concepts are all relevant to gambling and can help guide our decisions and actions in this area.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.