Is All Gambling a Sin?

Abstract

John F. Brug addresses the moral and theological dimensions of gambling, asking whether all gambling is inherently sinful. He distinguishes between legitimate risk in daily life and the unnecessary risk involved in gambling, emphasizing that motivation—especially greed and gain at another’s expense—is the central ethical concern. Brug defines gambling as risking God-given possessions in games of chance or skill without offering fair service or product in return. He categorizes gambling into social, professional, and governmental forms, warning against blanket condemnations while urging Christians to evaluate their motives and stewardship. Brug offers five reflective questions to guide believers in assessing their involvement, focusing on temptation, witness, stewardship, and societal impact. He concludes that Christians should approach the issue not legalistically, but prayerfully and scripturally, seeking to serve God and neighbor in love. Generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).