Prayer.
1. Father, deliver me and my fellow believers from the evil spirit of covetousness. Help us to be content with our resources, in Jesus Christ Name, Amen!

Bible Passage.


1 Timothy 6:6-12
6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
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.
11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Memory Verse:
Heb: 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.



The word GAMBLE means ‘to risk something of value on an outcome that depends on chance’
Other related activities to gambling are betting, lotto/lottery, gaming, casinos,’money doubling’ and ‘get rich quick’ programmes, among others.
Because the outcomes of these activities ‘depend on chance’ and doing them involves ‘risk’ then, by defition, they are all gambling. Although, the Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery, it does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money. 1Tim 6:10; Heb13:5. Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to ‘get rich quick’ Proverbs 13:11; Proverbs 23:5; Eccl 5:10.
Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches. Jesus warns us against letting riches get in the way of our spiritual benefit. Mark4:19; Mark 10:25 and that we cannot serve both God and money’ Luke16:13



Instances Of Gambling In The Bible.
Staking of riddle or casting lot was found in the Bible:
I. Samson staked a riddle for a thirty change of garment. Judges14:12-13
II. The soldiers cast lot over the garment of Jesus. John19:24
III. Casting lot was used as option to select between the sacrificial goat and the scape goat. Lev16:8
IV. Joshua cast lot to determine the allotment of land to various tribes. Joshua18:10;
V. Nehemiah cast lot to determine who will live inside the wall of Jerusalem. Acts1:26.
VI. Although people cast lot to take decision but best decisions are those taken by the Lord or guided by the Holy Spirit
VII. The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord. Even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by the Lord. Prov.16:33
VIII. Lot casting here is not synonymous to testing of luck or to gain material wealth
IX. Lot casting has to do with making a decision from alternative from the biblical perspective and not for ‘luck’ or chance or to make quick money. The Bible message says. ‘Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say’. Prov.16:33



Reasons For Gambling And Its Consequences.
I. Love of money
People test their luck with numbers to get money. However, such hopes are mostly empty. Eccl 5:10-15
II. Covetousness for material gains or what money can buy. Many gamblers and lottery players are deep in material gains which God forbids. Exod 20:17; 1 Tim 6:10
III. Those who engage in get-rich quick schemes stand the risk of losing everything. ‘Do not set your eyes on that which is not real, riches certainly make themselves wings and fly away. Prov 3:5
IV. Studies show that many lottery winners ended up in worse financial situation after the jackpot. Apostle Paul wrote ‘And they pieced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Tim 6:10
V. Those who are desperate of getting rich quickly believe that they will always win. 1Tim 6:9; Prov 1:32. ‘…. Drowned men in destruction and perdition’ 1 Tim 6:9.



Biblical Counsel For Believers.
I. God wants His people to prosper Ps 35:27; 3 John 2 and to earn their money honestly by working hard. [2Thess3:10]. We ought to gain wealth through diligence, as a gift from the Lord. ‘ Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth’’ Prov.10:4
II. Jesus teaches, No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Luke 16:13. Do not join the multitude to do evil. Exo 23:2
III. In 1 Tim 6:10, we find the famous warning that love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Proceeds from gambling/lottery/betting do not please God- Prov 13:11. God is soverign and will provide for the needs of the Church through honest means
IV. Money and material wealth should not be the primary pursuit of a believer; rather, it should be the kingdom of God and righteousness. Matt 6:33
V. Money should not be wasted. Excess money should be saved for future needs or given to the needy and the Lord’s work, not gambled away. Prov 19:17; Ex 35:5



Do not gamble your money, materials and life.


CONCLUSION
Be satisfied with your resources and believe God for increase.
Prayers.
I. Father, prosper me in your own way and time, in the name of Jesus.
II. O Heaven of my prosperity, open by fire, in the name of Jesus
III. O God, arise and empower me to prosper, in the name of Jesus
IV. Every power seating on my wealth, fall down and die, in the name of Jesus
V. Foundational poverty, die, in the name of Jesus
VI. O Stars of my destiny, arise and shine this year, in the name of Jesus
VII. Blood of Jesus, wipe off all handwriting of failure in my life, in the name of Jesus.
VIII. Blood of Jesus, wipe off all handwriting of poverty in my life, in the name of Jesus.
https://bummyla.com/2018/02/16/what-does-the-bible-say-about-gambling/

The word GAMBLE means ‘to risk something of value on an outcome that depends on chance’
Would you agree if I said that has God gambled before using the definition above?!