Lesson 3: Gambling

Overview

• Study session on worldly behaviors Christians must avoid, focusing on stealing, lying, and gambling.
• Scripture heavily referenced to define sin, consequences, and Christian conduct.
• Class discussion included examples of worldly practices and how they manifest inside and outside the church.

Stealing

• Biblical definition: taking another’s property without right, intending permanent deprivation.

• Modern definition: dishonest, unauthorized taking of another’s or an entity’s property with intent to keep it.

• Key scripture: Ephesians 4:28 — “Let him who stole steal no more; rather labor that he may have something to give.”

• 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 lists thieves among those who will not inherit God’s kingdom.

• Common forms of theft discussed:

  • Identity theft and scams.
  • Workplace theft and shoplifting.
  • Car theft and stolen goods.
  • Kidnapping and human trafficking.
  • Stealing spouses (adultery) and personal relationships.
  • Political or social theft: stealing rights, voter fraud.
  • “Finders keepers” mentality and trickery to take money.
  • Robbing God: withholding tithes/offerings and withholding spiritual time (not studying or teaching Scripture).

• Church-specific manifestations:

  • Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5): sold property, misrepresented amount, lied to the Holy Spirit, both died.
  • Failing to give as commanded or misrepresenting gifts is labeled as stealing/lying before God.
  • Christians urged to help fellow believers avoid theft and to repent if guilty.

Lying

• Definition: deliberately making untrue statements or deceiving to mislead others.

• Origin identified as the devil: John 8 and related verses call Satan the father of lies.

• Key scriptures:

  • Colossians 3:9 — do not lie to one another.
  • Ephesians 4:25 — put away lying; speak truth to neighbors.
  • Revelation 21:8 — all liars have part in the lake of fire.
  • Hebrews 6:18 — it is impossible for God to lie.
  • Proverbs 6:16–19 — lying tongue and false witness listed among abominations.

• Consequences and emphasis:

  • Lying is worldly and jeopardizes the soul.
  • Ananias and Sapphira emphasized as lying to the Holy Spirit.
  • Christians must avoid lying; truthfulness is required among members.

Gambling

• Definition: risking something of value on an uncertain event or game of chance to win a larger prize.

• Three elements required for gambling:

  • An uncertain or arbitrary event.
  • A wager (something of value put at risk).
  • A winner who gains at the direct loss of a loser.

• Forms of gambling mentioned:

  • Lottery (state lotteries).
  • Casino gambling (slot machines, table games).
  • Sports betting and horse/dog racing.
  • Numbers games and illegal “numbers” historically run in communities.
  • Electronic/phone-based gambling and in-house or street gambling.
  • Bingo with monetary stakes (distinguished from social bingo without money).

• Discussion points and concerns:

  • Society frames gambling as recreation, job creation, or funding for education; participants noted this is often a deceptive rationale.
  • Legalization does not equate to moral acceptability before God.
  • Gambling is another means by which the devil tempts people and blurs moral discernment.
  • Matthew 27:35 cited (soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garments) as an instance where “gambled” appears in some translations.

Action Items

• Christians should:
  • Repent if guilty of stealing or lying inside or outside the church.
  • Help fellow believers avoid worldly practices and confront theft or deception.
  • Prioritize study and sharing of Scripture (avoid “stealing” spiritual time).
  • Exercise stewardship of resources rather than relying on gambling.

Decisions

• Group consensus: stealing and lying are worldly activities Christians must separate from.
• Continue study series: next session to resume discussion of gambling forms and implications.

Structured Details