Gambling in the U.S. is a pervasive issue, rivaling alcoholism in its impact. It often preys on the poor and less educated, who can least afford to wager their money. Gambling is defined as betting or playing a game while consciously risking money or stakes on its outcome, relying on chance and luck rather than effort. The term "gaming" has softened the societal stigma once associated with gambling, masking the underlying greed it exploits with the lure of effortless, fast profit. The motive behind gambling is often one of selfish gain, which hinders the development of God's nature of giving within us. This motive of getting for oneself is ungodly and destructive. Gambling is frequently promoted through the diversion of proceeds to so-called worthy causes, such as church raffles and government lotteries, which claim to support charities or public initiatives like education. However, a significant portion of the money collected never reaches these causes, with promoters, ticket sellers, winners, and governments taking substantial cuts before any remainder is allocated. Governments use lotteries as a stealthy form of heavy taxation, with federal and state authorities claiming up to 75% of the proceeds before any benefit is seen by the public. The promise that lottery funds will enhance budgets for causes like education is deceptive, as these funds often replace rather than supplement existing allocations, leaving budgets virtually unchanged. Moreover, supporting gambling under the guise of altruism is frequently a false excuse for greed, violating God's legitimate ways of obtaining money through labor, exchange, and love. Gambling fosters a mentality of seeking something for nothing, stifling the character trait of productive effort essential for personal and spiritual growth. It encourages reliance on blind luck and an entitlement mentality, with enormous odds against any return. For every story of an instant millionaire, countless others suffer unrecoverable losses. The selfish motive of gain at another's expense blocks the spiritual character growth needed to be in God's Kingdom. Gambling produces corruption and crime, yielding bad fruit that fails to glorify God. Instead, our efforts should be directed toward acquiring the true riches of the soon-coming Kingdom of God, seeking it above all else.

Gambling often stems from a covetous desire to gain wealth at another's expense, which violates God's commandment against coveting. A Christian should not seek to increase personal wealth by depriving someone else, as this contradicts the principle of loving our neighbor as ourselves. When greed drives an activity, it is wrong, regardless of the wager's value. Furthermore, gambling is frequently viewed as a way to gain something without working for it, opposing the biblical work ethic that if anyone will not work, neither shall they eat. It often represents a lazy approach to escaping work or debt, or achieving quick riches, and the resulting neglect of family, poverty, divorce, and theft demonstrate why such schemes should be avoided. However, games of chance like cards or dice are not inherently wrong; it is the wrongful use, driven by covetousness, that constitutes sin. Therefore, every activity must be evaluated based on whether it causes us to break one of God's Ten Commandments.

We see the importance of continuous work for our Father and our Family as we realize that we are part of His most important Family and will share in their inheritance and all the benefits that come with it. Comparing the two families, the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, both started with similar fortunes, but the direction of the two founders and their immediate family led to two different outcomes. The Vanderbilts spent all their money and time on frivolous pursuits while Rockefeller encouraged the family members to adopt values that maintained and sometimes grew their fortune. We see a parallel with the two sons in Luke 15 with the faithful and prodigal son. We often feel like both of the sons in our lives. God places great importance in repentance and turning to Him, but we often feel discouraged with the struggle of doing the work of God while experiencing a lot of suffering. While we are not saved by works, it is very important to God, as shown in I Peter 3, and those who fight to do His will can be expected to get all that belongs to a member of the God Family.