BySports betting is a new form of gambling that started almost a decade ago. Since then, many people, particularly the youth who love sports, have invested huge sums of money into it, thinking it is an easy way of getting money. There have been very few people who have hit a jackpot through it. However, a question that has arisen among many believers in churches is whether sports betting is a sin or not. In fact, many believers practice it. What do you think about that question? Today, this article will help you understand what God says about it.
Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value
Proverbs 10:2 (NIV) says,
[2] “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Betting is gambling, and any money gotten through gambling is ill-gotten. So even though the Bible doesn’t clearly condemn sports betting as a sin, the effect thereof is evil. Hence, God frowns upon it. Remember that in God, there’s no darkness (1 John 1:5). If His Word says there’s no lasting value in ill-gotten gain, then sports betting is a work of darkness.
Sports betting feeds your lust for money
Another reason sports betting is a sin is that it feeds on people’s longing to get money illegitimately. Many people want to get money from sources they didn’t work for, and that’s evil.
Why will you turn to betting while you can work? See, betting is about probability. You can win or lose. But God is not a God of win and lose. Betting doesn’t reflect His holy character. It is evil. Don’t fall for this popular-but-evil practice in this generation.
God is a very transparent God. Everything evil He hates, He also provides what is good to do instead.
Tweet
God’s approved ways to make you earn money legitimately
God is a very transparent God. Everything evil He hates, He also provides what is good to do instead. He has provided how to live well without sin. That is, by grace. Here are three primary ways of earning money without sinning.
1. Work
Pau wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12 (NKJV) that,
[10] “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.”
The man of God knew that work was a legitimate way of earning money. Secondly, he said preaching is work. So, don’t see pastors as lazy people. They’re also workers. If you want to eat, you need money. So when you work, you’ll get that money. Therefore, work is not wrong before God, whether you like or hate it. Don’t subscribe to gambling; go and work.
2. Favour
Ephesians 4:32 [(NKJV) boldface mine] says,
[32] “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Someone can be kind to you enough to give you cash, donate to your foundation or support you by his own means. When you get money through that source, there’s no evil attached to it.
3. Honour
When someone honours you in monetary ways, God doesn’t frown upon it. It’s a legitimate way of earning money. And this goes especially to ministers. Galatians 6:6 (NKJV) says,
[6] “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”
According to this verse, if a church member chooses to honour his pastor for his labours, it is good. If you decide to honour your parents, God will lengthen your life (see Ephesians 6:4). Honour people and others will do you same.
If you use these three means to earn money, you’re on track. Not everything popular is good before God. Desist from sports betting. May God be with you!
For more Bible questions, please click here.
