What Does the Bible Say About Gambling — In Biblical Context
The Bible doesn't mention gambling directly, but its principles about stewardship, contentment, and the love of money strongly caution against it.
The Bible doesn't mention gambling directly, but its principles about stewardship, contentment, and the love of money strongly caution against it.
"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." — 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
While no verse says 'thou shalt not gamble,' biblical principles clearly address the motivations behind it. 1 Timothy 6:10 warns, 'The love of money is the root of all evil.' Hebrews 13:5 commands, 'Be content with such things as ye have.' Proverbs 13:11 teaches, 'Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.' Believers are called to be wise stewards of God's resources (Matthew 25:14-30) and to provide for their families (1 Timothy 5:8). Gambling exploits the poor (Proverbs 22:16), feeds greed, and relies on chance rather than diligent work. While a small lottery ticket may seem harmless, the underlying motivations — get-rich-quick thinking, greed, and discontentment — conflict with biblical values of hard work, contentment, and trust in God's provision.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 Timothy 6:10, sits inside 1 Timothy 6. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have."
"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
Marriage & Family
1 Corinthians 10:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Living for God's Glory
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
Daily Living
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Daily Living
Practicing Generosity
Scriptures about giving, generosity, and the blessing of open-handed living.
Bible Verses About Clean Living
10 curated KJV verses
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.