Q: How come it is seen as unacceptable to Christians to use any type of playing cards to have casual games (not gambling)?...

...I don't get the idea of how playing cards/trading cards are inherently "evil". Games such as Magic: The Gathering may have references to occultism and magic, but in a fictional universe. At the end of the day, they are just images on a piece of cardboard; nothing more. The same goes with a standard deck of 52 cards; they are just numbers and faces on cardboard. So what is wrong with playing/trading cards?


A: This is a relevant question, especially since playing cards is so common. Often as youth, we’re told what not to do, without being explained why. Let me try to give some background on where this church stigma against cards comes from (and I will answer the question in reference to standard playing cards, but I think it should encompass questions about Magic cards, Yu-gi-oh, etc):

Playing cards have a long history that goes all the way back to the Medieval times in Europe or Asia. Many tie the origin of playing cards with the origin of tarot cards, which are used in fortunetelling. The history and mythology behind playing cards is littered with references of church shame and lewdness. Some sources will claim that the symbols (ie. jack, queen, king, joker) are demeaning representations of spiritual and historical figures, with Jesus being the joker (there is no definitive source for sure). Also, just as we understand the use of cards today, through time they have always been associated with gambling and frivolity; often that meant that they pulled people away from a life of devotion and commitment to their faith. (For more info, read Mat 6:24, 1Tim 6:9-10). In short, there is historical evidence that explains the long-standing Christian stigma against cards.

But just because playing cards have questionable pagan roots and some people abuse them, does that mean we treat them as altogether evil? More practically, should we avoid them? Here, I want to be careful about answering. The point is not to add another thing to your “Christians-are-not-allowed” list. I don’t want to answer the question of, “Is it a sin to play cards?” because ultimately it’s not that black & white. And as sinners, we often try to oversimplify things so that we can justify our actions.

What are the Biblical principles we need to be mindful of when dealing with these grey areas? 1) Consult your conscience. Ask yourself: when you play cards, do you find yourself desiring God less, or thinking of him more? Is playing cards something that numbs your mind and leads you to laziness/selfishness/pride? It is Biblical that certain actions can weigh on one person’s conscience more than another, and we need to be sensitive to the Spirit in us. 2) We need to ask if this bothers the conscience of others.

Romans 14:21 says, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” As church history has shown, playing cards has indeed pulled some away from the faith. The same stigma is true today in some Christians today, or else you wouldn’t have asked this question in the first place. Put others’ consciences before your desire for fun, and act out of love, no matter what you do.

Lastly, I just want to end on this. It’s healthy to ask questions about why we do things as Christians; or why we don’t do things. Mindlessly following rules is no good for anyone. However, part of the heart behind this question might have been, “I’m just an innocent card player. I’m not the type that would ever become a gambling addict.” Let me warn you, that attitude of self-justification is exactly the sort of pride that causes Christians to fall. If after following Biblical principles 1) and 2), you decide to play cards, at least heed the grave warning from church history that Christians have fallen in their faith through playing cards, which has led them to a lust for fun and desire for money. To think you are “better” is the self-righteous folly that will ultimately ruin a Christian. As Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

[answered by Mark Cheng, Agape Counselor]

Q: What makes investing different than gambling

Is one wrong? Are they both wrong? Are they both shades of grey? See Matthew 25:16-18: "Putting the money to work". Were they investing or gambling? is there really a difference?

Good question. First, make sure you read our previous post on gambling. Our conclusion, based on biblical principle, is that gambling is wrong. That being said, what about investing? I believe there is a difference. Gambling entails risking money in hopes to make more money quickly. Investing involves the purchase of partial ownership in companies in hopes to make money over time. The latter is a sound means to plan for the future. Matthew 25:16-18 is a parable of wise investment, not gambling.

Of course, there are grey areas (e.g. What about day trading? What about the Poker player who is very good at what he does? etc.). The list can go on and on. Still, I believe there is a principle we can derive from Scripture that can help us distinguish between gambling and investing. The fundamental difference comes down to intent. Is what you are doing for the purpose of being a faithful steward of God's resources, or because you are dissatisfied with what God has given you? Are you satisfied in God or the need to accumulate more wealth? Are you trying to provide for your family or trying to enhance your own pleasure? (1 Tim. 6:17-18).

Being faithful with the resources God has generously given us could mean saving up for education, emergency or family planning. Proverbs 28:20 says this: "A faithful man will abound in blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." This verse speaks against gambling's "get rich quick" mentality. Trying to make lots of money overnight is not only unwise, but brings forth judgment. Investing as a long-term plan for the future, on the other hand, can be wise and fruitful - if your intent is God-centered.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Is it okay for Christians to buy the lottery?

Lots of questions this week. Keep 'em coming and we'll try our best to answer them.

This great question has been answered by many pastors and thinkers already. Here are some links to a few good articles/resources:

1. Don't Bet On It by Frederica Mathewes-Green

2. A Losing Bet by Dr. Albert Mohler

3. Don't Play Lottery For Me! by Pastor John Piper

4. Why is Gambling Wrong? by Pastor John Piper (audio)

The short answer is NO. The authors seem to point out several common reasons why Christ-followers ought to avoid the lottery. I have listed 6 below:

1. The motive is wrong. People don't just buy the lottery to 'have fun,' but rather they hold to the hope (even if it's a small, small hope) of getting rich. The love of money - as the Apostle Paul said - is the "root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). If we are to follow Jesus, we must fight against the desire to be rich.

2. It is a misuse of what God has given to us. Everything we have and own belong to God. When we play the lottery (or gamble at a casino), we are taking unnecessary (and usually unwise - as there is virtually no chance of you winning) risks with a God-given stewardship of money. We are simply being irresponsible with someone else's money.

3. There is a disruption of the natural cycle of work and reward. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "If anyone will not work, let him not eat." This is how life operates. Albert Mohler writes, "The Bible points to a very different financial strategy -- work and save. Ten dollars played in the lottery each week adds up to over $10,000 in twenty years. Saved and invested, those same funds would provide a good start toward a college education, a down-payment for a home, or a retirement fund."

4. The lottery preys on the poor. Dr. Mohler writes, "Wealthy persons are not fueling lottery sales. Studies indicate that over 80-percent of all lottery tickets are bought by only 20-percent of purchasers -- and these buyers are disproportionately 'low-income, minority men who have less than a college education.'"

5. The lottery empowers governments to prey on its citizens. When we were in Belize, Central America (on our last missions trip), this point was made abundantly clear. The local government was endorsing the construction of a local casino, but many ordinary citizens protested because they knew it would bring ruin on their community.

6. It may ruin our friend. Even if we are doing it for entertainment & if we are in control of our spending, there are many who aren't. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year treating those severely addicted to gambling. By playing the lottery, we are tempting and hurting these individuals. The Apostle Paul teaches us to avoid certain cultural activities - even if we are permitted to do so in the Bible - for the sake of weaker brothers and sisters (see 1 Cor. 8).

I think Frederica Mathewes-Green sums the issue up well: "It's not that there is something inherently evil in lotteries. The problem is that there's so little good in them—and so much potential for damage. We should always be aware of the danger that gambling poses to the "weaker brother." Gambling addiction is like alcoholism, and the sheer availability of lotteries ensures that some people who would otherwise never discover their weakness will be sucked into its grip."

[Answered by Pastor HM]