Nehemiah, one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, was once tasked with determining who would live inside the walls of Jerusalem and who would not. In a similar vein, the disciples of Jesus were faced with the task of replacing Judas Iscariot after his betrayal. As recorded in Proverbs 16:33, "The lot falls on the lap, but every decision is from the Lord." It is clear that God has a sovereign hand in all things, and that His will must be sought.
However, this raises questions about our understanding of chance and luck. Are they truly random events, or are they orchestrated by a higher power? As Christians, we believe that God is actively involved in every aspect of life, including the decisions we make.
Casinos and lotteries: Casinos use various business models to lure people into taking financial risks as much as possible. They also offer cheap or free drinks that can lead to intoxication and impaired decision-making. Everything at a casino has been designed to take as much money as possible while giving nothing back except for an empty, fleeting feeling of pleasure. Lotteries, on the other hand, present themselves as a way to fund education and social programs. However, research shows that those involved in lotteries are often those who are least able to afford the financial burden of buying lottery tickets. The temptation to "get rich quick" is too strong for those who are desperate.
Why lotteries do not please God: Many people who play the lottery or gamble claim to want to give to God's work or some other noble purpose. While this may be a good motive, the facts show that few winners use their winnings for good purposes. Research shows that many winners are actually in a worse financial state several years after winning the jackpot compared to before. Few, if any, truly give their winnings away for good causes.
Furthermore, God does not need our money to fund His mission in this world. As recorded in Proverbs 13:11, "Wealth quickly becomes poor, but getting rich by patience builds wealth." God is sovereign and will provide for the needs of His church through honest channels. Will God be pleased if He receives offerings from the fruits of deceit or stolen money? No, He will not accept such gifts.
As we are reminded in 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." It is by chasing after wealth that some people have strayed from faith and caused themselves great distress. Hebrews 13:5 warns us not to become slaves to money and to be content with what we have, for God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus teaches us that no one can serve two masters. As long as we are torn between God and Mammon (wealth), our hearts will be divided, and we will not truly follow either.
What does the Bible say about gambling? Is it a sin?
Note: This article is based on my previous response in Indonesian.