In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "wager" is not explicitly detailed as a common practice among the Israelites or early Christians. However, the idea of making a wager, which involves betting or staking something of value on an uncertain outcome, can be related to broader biblical themes of risk, trust, and the consequences of one's actions.

Biblical References and Themes:

1. Trust in God vs. Human Schemes:
The Bible often contrasts reliance on God with reliance on human wisdom or schemes. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage suggests that placing one's trust in God is wiser than relying on uncertain human endeavors, akin to a wager.

2. Gambling and Stewardship:
While the Bible does not directly address gambling or wagering, it emphasizes the importance of stewardship and the responsible use of resources. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches about the wise and productive use of what God has entrusted to individuals. The parable underscores the idea that resources should be used for God's glory and not squandered on risky ventures.

3. The Uncertainty of Riches:
The Bible warns against the pursuit of wealth through uncertain means. Proverbs 13:11 states, "Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will multiply." This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of wealth gained through dishonest or risky methods, akin to the uncertainty of a wager.

4. The Temptation of Quick Gain:
The desire for quick and easy gain, often associated with wagering, is cautioned against in Scripture. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warns, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." This passage highlights the spiritual dangers associated with the pursuit of wealth through risky or unethical means.

5. Faith as a Divine Assurance:
In contrast to the uncertainty of a wager, the Bible presents faith in God as a sure foundation. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance stands in stark contrast to the uncertainty inherent in wagering.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, gambling and wagering were known practices, though they were often associated with pagan rituals and idolatry. The Israelites were called to be distinct from surrounding nations, adhering to God's laws and avoiding practices that could lead to idolatry or moral compromise.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a biblical perspective, wagering can be seen as contrary to the principles of trust in God, wise stewardship, and the pursuit of righteousness. Christians are encouraged to seek God's guidance in all decisions and to use their resources in ways that honor Him and benefit others. The potential for addiction, financial ruin, and relational harm associated with gambling further underscores the need for caution and discernment in matters related to wagering.1. (v. t.) Something deposited, laid, or hazarded on the event of a contest or an unsettled question; a bet; a stake; a pledge.

2. (n.) A contract by which two parties or more agree that a certain sum of money, or other thing, shall be paid or delivered to one of them, on the happening or not happening of an uncertain event.

3. (v. t.) That on which bets are laid; the subject of a bet.

4. (v. t.) To hazard on the issue of a contest, or on some question that is to be decided, or on some casualty; to lay; to stake; to bet.

5. (v. i.) To make a bet; to lay a wager.

Of the Necessity of the Wager
... PENS??ES SECTION III: OF THE NECESSITY OF THE WAGER. 184. A letter to incite
to the search after God. And ... up. What will you wager? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iii of the necessity.htm

The Love of Rameses
... To prove my sincerity I will wager my biggest diamond against thy three brightest
smiles that thou wilt hear of Kenkenes again, alive and dreamy as ever, led ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
... "So run that ye may obtain.". These words were taken from men's funning for a wager;
a very apt similitude to set before the eyes of the saints of the Lord. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bunyan the heavenly footman.htm

Of the Mass.
... I wager [Thus it will come to pass] that the Mass will then collapse of itself,
not only among the insane [rude] common people, but also among all pious ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

Letter W
... 1830 * Wade, John "Received 1774, Located 1777 * Wadsworth, Edward "Received 1831 *
Wadsworth, Edward L. "Received 1832 * Wager, Philip "Received 1790 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter w.htm

Christians Charged with an Obstinate Contempt of Death Instances ...
... of his own crucifixion, yet a contempt of the fire has even now displayed itself,
[745] since one of yourselves very lately has offered for a wager [746] to go ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xviii name charged with.htm

The Martyr-Bishop, 1548-1560.
... But do tell him not to be afraid of me. I have no instructions concerning him. I
will wager my neck for that," he said, putting his finger to his throat. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter x the martyr-bishop 1548-1560.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... "I accept the wager," Vergilius calmly answered, laying off his robe and seizing
a lance. ... "Not unless I have the wager," says he, calmly. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

Explanation of the Lord's Question About his Mother and his ...
... Now, I ask you, Apelles, or will you Marcion, please (to tell me), if you happened
to be at a stage play, or had laid a wager [7050] on a foot race or a ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter vii explanation of the lords.htm

The Time of the Evening.
... One vivacious young woman won a wager by riding a spirited horse without a saddle;
other good sisters and brethren cleaned shoes and peddled, while some pushed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter ii the time of.htm

Wager (2 Occurrences)
... to stake; to bet. 5. (vi) To make a bet; to lay a wager. Multi-Version
Concordance Wager (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 18:23 ...
/w/wager.htm - 7k

Lay (524 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) To cause to lie dead or dying. 18. (vt) To deposit, as a wager;
to stake; to risk. 19. ... 32. (vi) To lay a wager; to bet. 33. ...
/l/lay.htm - 41k

Vie (2 Occurrences)
... See Revie. 3. (vt) To stake; to wager. ... 5. (n.) A contest for superiority; competition;
rivalry; strife; also, a challenge; a wager. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/vie.htm - 7k

Stake (2 Occurrences)
... work, punching upon, etc. 5. (vt) That which is laid down as a wager; that
which is staked or hazarded; a pledge. 6. (vt) To fasten ...
/s/stake.htm - 8k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... 18. (vt) To stake at play; to wager; to risk. 19. ... 46. (n.) That which is staked;
a wager; a venture; a stake; hence, a game at venture. 47. ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... THE COURSE OF THE STORY A) To Job's Blessing and Curse 1. His "Autumn Days" 2. The
Wager in Heaven 3. The Silent Friends 4. Whose Way Is Hid B) To Job's ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Go (17871 Occurrences)
... (vt) To take, as a share in an enterprise; to undertake or become responsible for;
to bear a part in. 15. (vt) To bet or wager; as, I'll go you a shilling. 16. ...
/g/go.htm - 19k

Wage (39 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To pledge; to hazard on the event of a contest;
to stake; to bet, to lay; to wager; as, to wage a dollar. ...
/w/wage.htm - 18k

Waged (6 Occurrences)

/w/waged.htm - 8k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... the Hebrew). In 2 Kings 18:23 (equals Isaiah 36:8) the "pledge" is a wager
(so the Revised Version margin). Rabshakeh mockingly ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

What is Pascal's Wager? | GotQuestions.org

What is Fideism? | GotQuestions.org

Is it possible to make a deal with the devil? | GotQuestions.org

Wager: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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