Why do you think a Christian shouldn’t gamble? What are the tests of whether you should do something or not, gambling or otherwise? Read on, and explore this vital subject with me.Here are some tests to help you determine what is right or wrong to do when it is not clear:Does it glorify God?The Bible tells us we are to glorify God in everything that we do. You may or may not agree with this, but that is what God wants from us. If you were an ambassador for America to another country, you would have to stand up for America and honor your country. The same is true if we call ourselves Christians. We can’t be that if we dishonor God in what we say and do. That is hypocrisy, and you know what the world thinks of that.Does it glorify God for you to spend the money God has allowed you to have on gambling? No. The Bible also says that God has given each of us the power to make money. But if we fritter our money away on gambling, that doesn’t show much wisdom on our part. Those machines or whatever you are doing at the casino or elsewhere are set up to make money for the people behind them. So you are basically throwing your money away by doing this.Does it hurt someone else?This reason for a Christian not gambling seems to stir up the most controversy. The Bible tells us in the book of Romans that we are to be mindful of others whenever we do something. The verses this lesson is in talk about eating food that is offered to idols but the overall lesson applies to anything we do. For instance, when my wife and I were first married, we knew a couple who didn’t believe in going to any restaurant that served alcoholic beverages. Even though neither of us drank, in their mind it was wrong to even go to a restaurant that served these things. So if we had insisted and taken them there anyway, the Bible would call that stumbling them, and possibly damaging their relationship with God. So we didn’t go to those kinds of restaurants when they were with us.Let’s say you are a strong Christian and you can handle gambling without it hurting you spiritually. But someone who is a weaker Christian sees you at the casino or wherever engaging in gambling.They are weaker in the faith and may have a problem keeping from going overboard in this area. So by your being there, it may prompt them to gamble and have some bad circumstances.Where is the money going?The money you spend at the casino doesn’t go to Christians, but to an Indian tribe, and other people who in all likelihood are not Christians or they would not be in that business. Basically, the money is going to the enemy, Satan, or someone who is not a believer. So by spending your money there in whatever manner, you are helping to perpetrate evil. You probably won’t go along with this comment because you want to gamble and you may think I am too narrow-minded. But if you truly think about this and pray about it, you will see the truth in it.Even if you go to the entertainment or out to eat or to a sporting event or concert at a casino or whatever you are still feeding the enemy your money God has given you. Certainly God wants us to enjoy ourselves, but not everything honors God in this world.Your witness.If you are telling your friends and family you are a Christian and then still go to gamble, how is that different from the world? The Bible says we are to be a light in the darkness for others to see God in us. If you go to gamble and the worldly person goes to gamble, what is the difference between you. You are giving a bad example. You can’t tell your friends and family not to do this if you are doing it. That is hypocrisy as well. Are you a true Christian or a hypocrite? This applies to anything, smoking etc. You can’t tell people not to do what you are doing. Then you are a bad example and your witness as a Christian is non-existent.Would Jesus do it?If you study the Bible you will see how Jesus conducted Himself. So that would give you a good idea if He would do the thing you are contemplating. Of course, you can say He would do it as an excuse for doing it anyway, but if you are truly sincere, you will search the scriptures and discern whether it is fitting to do what you have planned after much prayer.For instance, would Jesus get His own way in spite of whether it hurt others? No, because Jesus had humility and He put His Father’s will above His own. He didn’t come to hurt people but to help them by saving them from their sins. There is a good book about this subject called In His Steps, that will show you how to decide if Jesus would do a certain thing. You can find it at a Bible bookstore or online. Sometimes they have specials when you can get a copy for about five dollars or less.Pray about what you have read in this article and listen for what God tells you about it. Ultimately, you are responsible to God for what you do and say. None of us knows when Jesus is coming back, but He is coming, so do you want to be gambling when He does come? Talk about embarrassing to say the least. Remember the world is watching everything you do and say to see what God really means to you and whether they want to have what you have. What example are you showing to them?