What are some of your veiws on playing the Lottery?

[HinklesHounds]

What are some of your veiws on playing the lottery and/or other gambling?


My veiw is that we shouild not do it. When I first gave my life to the Lord and joined a local Church in their covenant was a by-law not to gamble of any type, I didnt have any problem with that but I often like to understand why or why not . I dont like to follow man blindly. and had searched many scriptures trying to get a definite answer. I asked alot of questions about it to my church leaders but the answers did not satisfy my curiosity. A few years later after I had accepeted the call in to the ministry the Lord satisfied my questions with this passage of scripture.....

Mattew ch 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

With this I began to study, being led to it by the Lord for this purpose.
And he showed me that it wasnt impossible for a rich man to go to Heaven but was defintly harder becuase of the desire of our flesh for worldy gains.
Many people play lotto and even pray to win. and no doubt a giant win fall wouldnt hurt my bank account as well but WHAT IF WE WON???? The answer most given is well I'd give alot of it away to charities and help promote the church and the gospel. These are noble thoughts. But the Bible teaches us that our rightousness is as filthy rags, we must try to be Christ like. So I ask again, what if we won? We would actually have done something to make it harder on ourselves to make it I think the bible teaches us that we should get rid of anything that will keep us out of Heaven and shun the things that will put temtation on us.

Mattew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mattew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Something to think about...

 

[MagusAlbertus]

My pastor came out firmly against the Lotto, unless you tithe the winnings.

 

[BereanStudent]

I am against the lottery. It causes a lot of problems for people with gambling addictions. But I am willing to change my mind if someone can show me from the scripture that the lottery is o.k.

 

[DeaconDean]

I am against the lottery. It causes a lot of problems for people with gambling addictions. But I am willing to change my mind if someone can show me from the scripture that the lottery is o.k.

I'm gonna play the devils advocate.

Can you show me where it isn't?

And...if your gonna say gambling is a sin, why stop there.

Isn't it a gamble every time you drive your car? You don't know if this you'll get "lucky" and drive wherever your going and not be involved in a wreck.

How about your job?

You go to work every day not knowing if the roof is gonna cave in on you, or you'll trip and fall, etc.

Each day is a gamble.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[MagusAlbertus]

DDean,

While I am the most anti-law person you'll ever want to see; I must say, my personal discernment tells me that trusting in the lotto is NOT trusting in the Lord.

Not to say insurance is bad, unless that insurance is being used to hope for a big pay-day.

But that's me. If $20 amongst 5 guys playing poker all night, I don't see the spiritual harm.

 

[DeaconDean]

DDean,

While I am the most anti-law person you'll ever want to see; I must say, my personal discernment tells me that trusting in the lotto is NOT trusting in the Lord.

Not to say insurance is bad, unless that insurance is being used to hope for a big pay-day.

But that's me. If $20 amongst 5 guys playing poker all night, I don't see the spiritual harm.

I have a problem when churches say gambling is a sin, but there is no scriptural basis for it.

Some churches say dancing is a sin, but yet King David danced.

All of life is a gamble.

From the time you get out of bed, to the time you back to bed, you "gamble".

If I have met all my bills, groceries bought, I've tithed to the church, gave to charity, and I have $5 left over, I see no harm in buying a scratch and win ticket.

I trust in the Lord and somehow, he sees to it that my salary goes just far enough to met my needs, whatever they are.

I'm not condemning anyone who believes gambling is a sin. If that is your conviction, fine. Follow your convictions by all means.

But don't sit back in judgment of me if I buy a $1 or $5 scratch and win every now and again. And it only every now and again, not a habit.

Just show me in scripture where it says gambling, in any form, is a sin.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[DD2008]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with the lottery. It is a program used by the state to raise money for projects and it eliminates the need to raise taxes. So, when people "blow" money on the lottery they're really not blowing money at all. It's all being used for a good purpose. And every once in a while someone actually wins a lot of money and gets an opportunity to be a good steward.

That being said, my native state of Oklahoma is now filled to the brim with casinos. I do not discern good things about this situation. The things orbiting around casinos are everything depraved. In addition the money spent in a casino goes to the owners instead of the state. In the case of Oklahoma the owners are Indian tribes. However in the case of Nevada or New Jersey its mob bosses.

So, I don't see a problem with the lottery, but I do have a bad feeling about casinos. I don't see anything in the bible that forbids gambling however.

 

[98cwitr]

eh, imho it's a waste of money...the odds are just too steep for me to play.

 

[DD2008]

eh, imho it's a waste of money...the odds are just too steep for me to play.

I don't play either. The reason I don't is because I'm too cheap and have no confidence I will win anything.

 

[C-Man]

The Lord wants us to be cheap.
I squeeze my pennies so tight it makes Abe Lincoln scream. Now I've bought a couple of scratch-and-win tickets in my day, and played the lottery a couple of times, but each time, I felt I'd rather have the $5 I spent on the ticket.

 

[miamited]

Hi all,

Well, for my two cents worth, I don't find it an acceptable use of God's resources. After all, it's His money. Someone above mentioned that we should consider it a gamble everytime we get in our car. I don't think that fits the definition, certainly not as I understand it, of gambling. Gambling is taking a chance of very large gain with very small chances of getting such gain. When we get in our cars every day there are millions upon millions of people who arrive safely at their destination, 'the gamble' really isn't a great risk. If the slots in Vegas paid out as often as commuters made safe trips, then there wouldn't be any gambling and the 'house' would go broke.

Taking a relatively minor risk is not the same as gambling, in my understanding.

God bless you all and a very, very joyful Christ mas. (celebration of the birth of our promise from God.)
In Christ, Ted

 

[HantsUK]

(secret) motto of a betting shop:
You bet - we win

I don't think that there are direct instructions in the Bible about gambling, and different Christians come to different conclusions. Some say it's always wrong. Some see no problem. Others are somewhere in-between. Is buying a raffle ticket in support of a charity, where you might win a small 'gift' the same as buying a lottery ticket in the forlorn hope of becoming a multimillionaire?

Generally, I disagree with gambling, lotteries or raffles (but have sometimes taken part in a raffle and even won).

The problem with gambling or lotteries is greed and motive. Wanting something (usually, millions) for basically nothing. Lotteries are often played by those who can least afford it (a voluntary tax on the poor), and it is diverting their scarce money which could be better used for more important things. OK - if you don't play, you are guaranteed not to win - but winning is very unlikely. In most lotteries, the risk of being killed in a road accident is greater than winning.

Winning the Jack Pot in the UK National Lottery: 1 in 14 million. Being killed in a road accident (per week), rough estimate: 1 in 1 million (USA will be more likely).

All of life is a gamble.

From the time you get out of bed, to the time you back to bed, you "gamble".

Life involves risk, but I think that this is very different from gambling, although we are in danger of playing semantics. Some talk of taking risks as a gamble - but I that is different from gambling as in paying an amount in the low probability (and completely outside of your control) of getting much more back.

A related question?
Should Christian organisations apply for or accept lottery funding?

 

[Shaun_S]

there is nothing wrong with the lottery or being wealthy and rich, however the bible states the "love of Money is the root of all evil"

So doing the lottery being rich is ok, however if that person changes and begins to love money almost making it an idol then we have problems.

 

[miamited]

Hi Shaun,

You are almost correct. Consider this: And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Nothing there about a man's heart at all. Just plain and simple real difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Of course, when one takes the analogy for what it really says, "a camel to go through a needle's eye", it actually paints a clear picture of impossibility. However, with God, all things are possible. Praise God!!

In Christ, Ted

 

[98cwitr]

there is nothing wrong with the lottery or being wealthy and rich, however the bible states the "love of Money is the root of all evil"

So doing the lottery being rich is ok, however if that person changes and begins to love money almost making it an idol then we have problems.

find me one person on earth that brings in $100k+ a year that doesn't love money.....

 

[HinklesHounds]

I dont think anyone would deny that there a good things that come from the money raised from lotto tickets. However I live in a rural area and there are alot of low income families here. And I see countless people playing lotto ticket after ticket. Now normally I might think well if they are crazy enough to waste their checks or paydays who am I to say anything. Maybe they will use the money to fill a pot hole on my street. But occasionally you will see a child come up and say daddy/mommy lets go or they might ask for some candy both following with the word NO! ( I have bought several pieces of candy for them following this). But the question I have is how can I enjoy the pot hole in my street being filled up (or what ever they use the profits from this for) ? Knowing that there is someone somewhere thats is being hurt by my gain.
We might say that they will find something else to waste it on and this may be true.
If we see people have an addiction whether it be gambling , drugs, alcohol or what ever , I think its wrong for us to monopolize on it. So even if I myself wouldnt have a problem spending a couple dollars here and there, without the risk of addiction I am more than willing to give up the opportunity to amuse myself for the 5 secs it takes for me to check my numbers or scratch off my ticket to protect someone else. See if We as Christians stood strong on some of the important issues we could change the world! you might say important this is just a small thing ..
15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Talk to someone who's husband has just wasted their house payment see what they think. My uncle lost not 1 but 2 homes to gambling before he learned his lesson. I am not judgeing anyone here and I hate sounding like Im on a soapbox and I am surly not perfect I have my own faults and failures I struggle with. But Jesus said ..Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. We arent even willing to give up a few conveniences or be inconvenienced at all most of the time .
Before I gave my life to the Lord I used to play Poker on a almost daily basis I never lost more than $20 in a week, It just something to do to pass the time while I waited on sales appointments times to arrive. Yet I could have used that time better I'm sure. The point is have ya ever played Poker for just fun, no money just chips or toothpicks? Not very much fun is it. A game of Rook, spades, or Rummy is alot more fun than Poker for play money (in my opinion). Would you buy a lotto ticket if you knew there was no payout possible?
As for looking for THE 11TH COMANDMENT Thou shalt not play Lotto! You wont find it but 2nd Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Its time we as christians (and I include myself in this as well) Stop guarding the pleasures we find in this world so closely and start looking for the Joy that God has for us and for us to share. Just becuase we are christians doesnt make everything we do okay.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

[dies-l]

Gambling for entertainment in moderation is fine. Gambling in excess and/or with the intention of getting rich is not. Like most things, it depends a lot on where the heart is. Sometimes, I will buy a ticket for a raffle or some other gambling event that is raising money for charity. But, I never do so with the expectation of winning, and it is usually a very small amount.

My favorite way to play the lottery, though, is to predict the numbers when they are drawn, and then consider myself the lucky winner of $1 when my numbers inevitably do not get picked. (I win $1, because that is money that I saved by not buying a ticket). Using this strategy, I have won 100% of the time.

 

[BereanStudent]

I'm gonna play the devils advocate.

Can you show me where it isn't?

And...if your gonna say gambling is a sin, why stop there.

Isn't it a gamble every time you drive your car? You don't know if this you'll get "lucky" and drive wherever your going and not be involved in a wreck.

How about your job?

You go to work every day not knowing if the roof is gonna cave in on you, or you'll trip and fall, etc.

Each day is a gamble.

God Bless

Till all are one.

You are halfway correct to say we should not boast as though we have control over what will happen. But it is not a gamble. Actually the scripture teaches that our life is dictated by the will of God.

Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jas 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Coveting what belongs to someone else is a sin.

Exo 20:17 Do not want anything that belongs to someone else. Don't want anyone's house, wife or husband, slaves, oxen, donkeys or anything else.

From a Christian website.

Gambling is a way of practicing dishonesty. It is a form of taking what does not rightfully belong to a person. Interested in obtaining something for nothing, the gambler tries in every way to attain his ends, and usually is concerned to learn all the "tricks" he can. He is interested in "fleecing" those that are inexperienced. Gambling often takes the wages from innocent mothers and children and returns nothing. Along with gambling frequently goes cheating, and both are forms of dishonesty. Paul states, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth" Ephesians 4:28. Although the word "gambling" does not appear in the Bible, the practice is clearly condemned in numerous passages of scripture. Gambling is based on the evil desire to get money or goods which belong to someone else without giving fair value in exchange. The Bible calls this sin "covetousness" and makes it clear that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Romans 1:28-32).

 

[miamited]

Hi HH,

You wrote:
I dont think anyone would deny that there a good things that come from the money raised from lotto tickets. However I live in a rural area and there are alot of low income families here.

Sure, and that's how Satan works. If everything that Satan had for us, or sin for that matter, didn't have some 'good' effect - either feeling good to our body or doing good for others - sin would probably not even exist. However, the Scriptures are clear and God knows that sin has its enjoyable season. There are things about sin that really tug at our flesh. But what God wants for all of us is that we live in peace and harmony and plenty. That we love one another. So if there is anything that we do that may be good for some but not others, then it isn't acceptable in God's economy.

If some people get rich from the lottery while thousands, millions go without and even thousands who suffer because their money isn't used in a righteous manner, then it isn't what God wants us to be doing. Let's just add .50 or a 1.00 to our tax bill every year and pay what needs to be paid for education. I don't think it is in any way glory to God that we tie a 'good' cause to an evil work.

That's my two cents worth. Consider that God really wants us to live just like we are going to live in the eternal existence after the judgment.

God bless you and may you have a joyful spirit of praise and thanksgiving to him who was born to die for us.
In Christ, Ted

 

[MagusAlbertus]

find me one person on earth that brings in $100k+ a year that doesn't love money.....

No doubt there are pastors, specialist doctors and full professors that do what they do because of a calling on their life; but they happen to fill a societal demand in which they get paid better than average.

Gambling for entertainment in moderation is fine. Gambling in excess and/or with the intention of getting rich is not. Like most things, it depends a lot on where the heart is. Sometimes, I will buy a ticket for a raffle or some other gambling event that is raising money for charity. But, I never do so with the expectation of winning, and it is usually a very small amount.

My favorite way to play the lottery, though, is to predict the numbers when they are drawn, and then consider myself the lucky winner of $1 when my numbers inevitably do not get picked. (I win $1, because that is money that I saved by not buying a ticket). Using this strategy, I have won 100% of the time.

I couldn't play the lotto that way... What if I lost/~!!