We understand that you're struggling with compulsive gambling, and we want you to know that you're not alone in this battle. First, we want to commend you for your faith in God's ability to deliver you from addiction, as He has done before with your alcohol addiction. It's important to remember that God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
We must address the fact that the money you're using to gamble is your husband's hard-earned money. This is not aligning with biblical principles. The scripture warns, "A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold." Moreover, the Bible says, "It is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This means we must be faithful and honest with what we are entrusted with, including our spouses' earnings.
Also, remember what happened to the unfaithful servant in the Parable of the Talents. He did not even try to do anything with what he was entrusted. The parable is in Matthew 25:14-20 and 26:30 (WEB):
"For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’ But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. Then you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"
Although this is not the same as gambling, it shows that when we have been given a stewardship, we are to preserve and grow what we have been given as well as we can. While not investing and being lazy is bad, gambling is far worse than this. Not only are we not making anything better, we are likely losing what we have been given stewardship over. This is not what we are to do with money.
We are to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and this includes our spouse's earnings. You are not to gamble with this money. It is wrong to take what your husband has earned to use it to gamble. This is no different than stealing. It is not yours to gamble with.
We also want to remind you that, as born-again believers, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are to glorify God in our bodies, and spirits, which are God's. Compulsive gambling is a form of idolatry, as it enslaves us to a behavior that does not honor God. It can be an addiction that you must address.
Let's pray together:
"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we come before You, lifting up our dear sister who is struggling with compulsive gambling. Lord, You know her heart, and You know her struggles. We ask, Father, that You would deliver her from this addiction, just as You delivered her from alcohol addiction. Give her the strength to resist the temptation to gamble and help her to be a faithful steward of the resources You have entrusted to her and her husband. Help her to honor her husband by not using his earnings to gamble. Help her to find a way to have her husband take her vehicle back and have another means of transportation to do what he needs to do. Help her to find something productive to do during her night hours that will bring You Glory as well as helping others. Help her to be closer to her family and possibly get some accountability to avoid temptation.
Father, we also pray for her husband, that You would give him wisdom and discernment as he works and travels. Protect their marriage, Lord, and draw them closer to each other and to You. We pray for others that are struggling with this and ask You to provide a way out of this temptation and to break this addiction.
Father, we ask this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who sets the captives free. Amen."
Remember, God is with you in this struggle. He will not let you be tested or tried beyond what He knows you can handle. He will show you a way to avoid the temptation so that you can bear it. He is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted and tried beyond what you can handle. We encourage you to take these promises to heart. It is important that we submit ourselves to God.
