God decides who wins in games of chance?

Does God control who wins in gambling games?

Proverbs 16:33 (New Living Translation)
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

So there's no need to be upset when we lose because that is what God decided.

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

I play poker tournaments which is a form of gambling. I'm starting to drift away from trying to win money but to actually enjoying playing the game itself. Tonight I'm playing free poker tournaments on the internet. I am to finish first in them.

1 Corinathians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

I treat poker tournaments like running a race. I also run myself 5km daily. I am to win a prize which is 1st place.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I don't get the glory when I win a tournanment. God gets the glory. He created everything. He gets the glory.

What your guys thoughts on this?

Perhaps it was originally said, we may cast lots. This was the way before Jesus Yesua and the Apostles to leave a matter up to the Lord God.

Calvinism rises

I think the purpose of this running race is to overcome self weakness.
1 Corinathians 9:27

My thoughts are that God knows who will win in a game of poker. Poker in my opinion is not only chance but also skill involved. For example if someone was to bluff and fool the other players so that the other players fold even though he/she doesn’t have a very good hand.

I've heard it all now

until the next time anyway

I don’t really play poker. I have seen a little from tv tournaments when my step-father was watching. I don’t believe 1 Corinthians 9:24 is referring to poker at all. I don’t see playing poker in itself as wrong ; however, one should not play in such a way that leads to addiction. One can lose a lot of money as well.

hmm for me many years ago I was working where my mom did a restaurant. You go through the double doors to the bar. Well I had a dream in this dream it was the same bar and the same..put 25c in get this tab you scratch and see if you won. I won. The woman takes me around behind the bar pulls open this draw and a HUGE bottle of Champion. What was cool about just that.. I never knew they made them that big until this dream. At the bar were two people that had a bible study I went to. Their drinks were in a strange class? Small at the bottom then opened up at the top. Had so many layers of colors. I had been given a check for what I won. He the one that ran the bible study said "it was wrong and I need to repent. As I turned now there was this like at Church a alter...oh so beautiful and red.. the glass. Then everything changed. It was all white and a bush was burning yet not burning. He said I need to toss the check in the fire. All my friends I knew were around (all believers). As I started to put it in the fire.. I started to doubt.. no I don't need to I can keep it....POOF all over.

Haha not the word but.. never had fear just.. knew for ME never ever gamble. God is not from what I have learned ever part of gambling. No such thing as luck. Oh another dream. I was in this red car and stopped. Looked up at this MTN and all these gray clouds were coming over the MTN. I then looked to my right up in the air a huge jet had that same gray clouds around the engines and the jet (Passenger jet) started to turn to the right coming down. Then everything changed I was now in the jet next to the window and it was now turning to the right and was about to crash. I knew I was on the street and would be hit. And it did. Everything changed again. I was standing next to the red car and thought.. wait if I am dead why am I .... then poof I was shot up so fast.. white stars flying by so fast. Next thing I knew I was standing on this really green grass a huge tree to my left a deer was there and ..this small woman said "there is no such thing as luck here". It was over.

Again.. this was me. God not part of gambling.. like if we play ball.. He does not help one side win We like to PRAISE HIM when we win haha

We are accountable for good stewardship in what is given us.
Gambling is addictive, creates anger, does not glorify his name,
Can you honestly say your seeking God for a answer or a decision to be made to break a stalemate?

Just my opinion but I think you created your own God in that matter.
Is it sinful....? You judge.

Since I really don't have anything to say in helping a poker player, the only commonality I can think of, in this, would be that of a plumber installing a bowl wax on a golden toilet saying, " Now that's a royal flush"!

oh and uh... no offense, both seemed funny to me... So, I'd say the plumber enjoyed his endeavors as much as you enjoy yours.

Were you predestined to type that?

Acts 1:24-26
24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

And seemingly afterward as well with the selection of Matthias as Judas' replacement by the casting of lots.

"And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." - Acts 1:26 KJV

Apparently the term for this is cleromancy.

Then casting lots is a valid method for discerning God's will.

That was the VERY early church,..... Was it understood by them that in Christ ALL things become new?
best wishes

I don't feel its a loss of money. The money goes to someone else and they use it if we don't win. Likewise If we obey the bible and are content in any circumstance what does it matter if we have 30 billion or $0 and in debt? Another thing the best poker players are known for is a total disregard for money while playing. Some people played scared and don't make big moves while playing and don't collect chips because of this. Others on the other hand don't care if they lose and are able to win chips while playing doing plays that others can't do because they haven't got the guts to pull it off.

Coast to Coast A.M. had an interesting speaker who spoke on being a person of gratitude and receiving increased winning at games of chance.

Notice it was not mentioned again. Did Pentecost happen before or after that?


I've rolled dice before to make decisions and somehow it felt like testing the Lord. If I have the Holy Spirit, can I not listen?

*End my direct reply*




I've also been able to do some pretty incredible things when it comes to poker but in a "real game" you either get cleaned or you clean others out. Doesn't sound like a very Godly activity. Low stakes, but high enough for people to be invested.

"Clean" meaning you take others money if you win or you lose all yours. People don't like to lose...

If you are going to play, be VERY careful with who you play with. Don't look for marks and don't get conned. There is something to be gained by learning to read people's body language but it only takes a few games in a lifetime to pick up on that. Also there are other ways to learn that skill. Intuition develops naturally as we mature.

Also the precept of "testing the Lord" comes into play regarding gambling. For some this could be super serious and for others not as much (if at all). You know who you are. Some people shouldn't play. Most all probably. I've played a handful of times for low stakes and I'm actually pretty good at it.


Just like drinking though. I'm not going to state unilaterally that the bible is against it. Might be 90% against it, but that isn't fair to the percentage that can have a glass of wine or a beer with a meal on a date night and it not get out of hand.

Note: I don't mean totally out of control, I just mean out of hand. The "other 10%" drinking = totally out of control. (*percentages arbitrary*)

Feel like it's kind of similar to games of chance. Be that monopoly, slots, poker, or sports betting.

Monopoly is still gambling with your time "if" you are only playing to win.


but I'm not going to try to dissect non-monetary gambling although I do feel it is relevant.




Obviously, like drinking, wisdom would advise not to indulge or engage at all unless a clear ministerial objective presents itself. Like being invited by a group of non-believers for a friendly game or something, which could be an open door. Even then though...it depends on the person.