Financial Ethics Series: Sports Betting and Gambling with Dr. David W. Jones

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” - Hebrews 13:5

Sports betting is more popular—and more accepted—than ever, even among Christians. But is it just harmless fun, or something more? Dr. David W. Jones returns to our financial ethics series to help us examine what Scripture says about gambling and how believers should approach it.

Dr. David W. Jones is Senior Professor of Christian Ethics at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds a Ph.D. in Christian Financial Ethics and is the author of Every Good Thing: An Introduction to the Material World and the Common Good for Christians.

What Does Scripture Say About Gambling?

Proverbs 13:11 reminds us that:

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.”

Gambling, which includes sports betting, bypasses God’s designed rhythm of work and reward. 1 Timothy 6:9 warns that the desire to get rich quickly leads people into “ruin and destruction.” These verses challenge the notion that a fast win is simply a blessing—it may erode character.

Is it always wrong to bet on a game with friends? Not necessarily. A one-time bracket pool during March Madness may not signal a deep moral compromise. But we must ask: Is this behavior occasional and harmless, or has it become habitual and idolatrous?

The difference lies in the heart. It’s not that gambling created the idolatry of money or sports—it revealed it. And perhaps in God’s grace, it’s giving us an opportunity to examine what we truly worship.

The Stewardship Question

Every financial decision we make is a stewardship decision. Psalm 24:1 reminds us:

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”

So before we spend God’s money—even on entertainment—we must ask: Is this wise? Does this reflect my faith? Does it honor the Lord?

We must start to think through whether our spending on gambling—even recreationally—glorifies God. That doesn’t mean all entertainment is wrong. But we are called to be faithful managers of what belongs to God, and some forms of entertainment carry higher risks than others.

Beyond personal stewardship, Christians must consider what they're supporting. The gambling industry is responsible for significant harm. Studies show that 1 in 5 gambling addicts attempt suicide, and addiction is rising fastest among young adults, according to the American Psychological Association.

For those in the church, we must acknowledge this cultural shift and lovingly walk alongside people through it, offering them truth, grace, and accountability.

Idolatry, Discontentment, and the Way Back

Sports betting may be legal, but legality is not the same as morality, and morality isn’t always wisdom. If your habits reflect discontentment or a misplaced trust in money, that’s a red flag.

But there's hope. These things are not the unpardonable sin. 1 John 1:9 reminds us: 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us... God is always ready to receive us.”

Isaiah 26:3 also says:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

If you're struggling