Do you play the lottery?

[sweetlambofgod]

occasionally

 

[seamonster]

No, but I don't think it's a sin. I just have other ways I'd rather spend my money.

 

[KillerV]

Now that your friend won that money does he gamble consistently? I'm sorry but I am very questioning of someone who says the Lord told them to play a slot machine to win money. I think God's providence is far beyond a slot machine. Sometimes satan's scheme's to tempt us can be disguised in something that looks very good and much like the Lord. Gambling is an addiction and satan would love more than anything to cause a Christian to stumble into that.

LoL. So satan goes around blessing people now? funny cause when that happened who got the Glory? Christ did. Satan ain't going to bless someone and make Christ get all the Glory. This man is a man of God he knows how to use discernment.And it made him draw closer to God,yah thats satan's doing Like I said don't let it become and addiction and have it over come you,then its wrong

 

[Randombitsofstring]

The lottery is a tax on people who are bad in math.

I think I would have a better chance of being eaten by shark, in Kansas, than winning the lottery.

 

[Linnis]

No, I do not believe gambling is right. My husband doesn't believe this but this is a personal conviction that works for me.

 

[Blank123]

To add to that for me personally when it comes to issues such as this I ask myself 3 questions:
1. Does it bring glory to God? 1Cor. 10:31
2. Will it further the kingdom of God? Mat. 6:33
3. Does it strengthen my relationship with God? John 17:3

let me ask you then do you apply those questions to everything you speond your money on say for instance a decoration for your house or a chocolate bar? How does buying either of those glorify God, further His kingdom, or strengthen your relationship with Him?

 

[heatherq17]

no because its a waste of money

 

[Beth1231]

People like me should stay far away from anything remotely close to gambling I am not irresponsible with money, but if you put me in front of one of those carnival games that you spin the wheel and you either lose your quarter or win another one...my blood pressure goes up and I am wildly plunking down quarters without a second thought. That is not good! I will never go into a slot machine place because of that. Similarly, when I bought my first scratch off ticket, my adrenaline sped up and I wondered how I could get another one. Yikes. For me, it's not an option anymore than robbing a bank.
I don't think it's a sin per se to spend an hour or so spending twenty dollars on slot machines. However, the idea of supporting a business that can tempt a guy to spend his rent is also not an option for me. I would rather go to an amusement park or the movies where at least I know people won't get into big trouble (hopefully).

 

[Singin4Him]

let me ask you then do you apply those questions to everything you speond your money on say for instance a decoration for your house or a chocolate bar? How does buying either of those glorify God, further His kingdom, or strengthen your relationship with Him?

Are you saying it is impossible to live by 1Cor. 10:31? I believe we are to try and do everything for the glory of God are we not?

 

[Blank123]

Are you saying it is impossible to live by 1Cor. 10:31? I believe we are to try and do everything for the glory of God are we not?

i didn't say that

I simply asked if you apply those exact same questions you gave for reasoning why you believe Christians should not be buying lotto tickets to every area of your life. Its a fair question to ask, i think.

Does everything you spend your money one bring glory to God's name, further the kingdom and strengthen your relationship with Him?

 

[ChrisCountryGirl]

No, I don't play the lottery. I believe it's a waste of money

 

[Randombitsofstring]

let me ask you then do you apply those questions to everything you speond your money on say for instance a decoration for your house or a chocolate bar? How does buying either of those glorify God, further His kingdom, or strengthen your relationship with Him?

I think they are fair questions. It seems to me that there are so many people—both Christian and non Christian who are ready to find fault with each other before they take a good long look at their own lives.

 

[0145xyz]

Sorry there ain't nothing wrong with putting some cash in the slot machine

christians in a casino? strange, never heard of that. I wonder if those Christians bow down and pray before the pull the handle? I wonder what nonchristians in the same casino would think.

Gambling in itself is not an addiction.

hmm, It might be good to just stay safe and not try it even if you think nothings wrong with it. Imagine getting addicted-that would not be a very good Christian witness at all.

I didn't mean gambling in itself is an addiction, but that it can be an addiction and is an addiction that satan would love to cause a Christian to stumble because of. It is pretty rare though that those who gamble do it once so I guess it all depends on your definition of addiction. Maybe it's just a "habit" for some and an addiction for others.

now if yall changed the word gambling to drinking or drugging I'm sure that people wouldn't be defending it so much.

The lottery is a tax on people who are bad in math.

I love this phrase!

I believe we are to try and do everything for the glory of God are we not?

I agree

Does everything you spend your money one bring glory to God's name, further the kingdom and strengthen your relationship with Him?

Hmm, it wouldn't hurt to ask this question before you buy stuff though. I think a lot of Christians use their money in ways God doesn't want them to.

It seems to me that there are so many people—both Christian and non Christian who are ready to find fault with each other before they take a good long look at their own lives.

that is true, but this thread is all about lottery and as the Bible says "think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning." 1 cor 15:14a,"stay away from every kind of evil" 1 thess 5:22, "tell them to use their money to do good." 1 timohty 6:18a, "Gently insturct those who oppose truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth" 2:25 2 timothy, and i know there's another good verse, I'll look for it some more and post it when I find the one i was originally looking for.

 

[PriyaRoshni]

I have only ever brought one lotto ticket with a friend - and I won! so I have never got another one and I have already won once.


Yep I won $22.95 - I brought a really nice lipstick, lol.

My Dad had an interesting experience - as a policy we never gamble, one day he brought a street directory at a local papershop, when he went into town later he saw that he had paid over $10 more for it than was the advertised price in other papershops/book stores etc. He went back to the local papershop and asked them about the price (very nicely, Dad is very diplomatic) the owner was sorry and said that they had a no return policy but he would give Dad a scratch lotto ticket that was worth $10 instead. So Dad put the ticket in his pocket and forgot about it. Several weeks later when he took the jacket in for drycleaning he cleaned out his pockets and fount the ticket. He scratched it and won $1000! the papershop was right next door to the drycleaners and it just happened to be the maximum amount that the papershop could pay out (anything over that would have been a cheque from lotto). Dad comes home and tells us this story - we didn't believe him - then he threw $1000 in the air in $20 and $50 notes! he said that he was taking us all out for a shopping spree. I was really fun we put $200 in the offering and Dad gave us $200 each for spending. I still have the hair clips that I brought with a some of the money and when I wear them, I always think of how God blessed us that night.

 

[0145xyz]

against:
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2301
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-acb/acb-g001.html
http://www.rpc.org/morals/lottery.htm
http://www.dianedew.com/gambling.htm
some churches have refused donations they know to have come from lottery or gambling.

for:
I tried to find a christian link that said lottery or gambling was ok, but I couldn't. Maybe for a reason.
But I know some of lottery money goes to education and bingos are played in church.(some of the money goes to the church)

 

[KillerV]

christians in a casino? strange, never heard of that. I wonder if those Christians bow down and pray before the pull the handle? I wonder what nonchristians in the same casino would think.
.

O you have got to be kidding me. O I needed a good laugh

O I just wanted to add,that most of church after a service goes to the casino and has lunch. *gasp* I know I live in the Casino Capital of the world you go to any grocery store and they are covered in slot machines.

 

[0145xyz]

O you have got to be kidding me. O I needed a good laugh

O I just wanted to add,that most of church after a service goes to the casino and has lunch. *gasp* I know I live in the Casino Capital of the world you go to any grocery store and they are covered in slot machines.

are you serious? wow! I've personally never known any Christians that gamble or play the lottery. Just some from this post-that's all.

 

[wanderingone]

I didn't mean gambling in itself is an addiction, but that it can be an addiction and is an addiction that satan would love to cause a Christian to stumble because of. It is pretty rare though that those who gamble do it once so I guess it all depends on your definition of addiction. Maybe it's just a "habit" for some and an addiction for others.

Anything can be an addiction, people get addicted to the net, people get addicted to caffeine, shopping, etc. The fact that some people may become addicted to something doesn't mean it's a no no for all Christians. No most people who gamble don't do it just once, but most people even if they are in the habit of buying a lottery ticket every day won't be going through withdrawal if they can't get out to the store for their lottery ticket.
It's an addiction if you have some type of compulsion, if your need to do that one thing takes priority over everything else and is causing you to neglect other things in your life in order to fulfill your need.

 

[KillerV]

are you serious? wow! I've personally never known any Christians that gamble or play the lottery. Just some from this post-that's all.

I.for one, am not much for gambling I think the most I have spent is about 5 bucks. But like I said you can't get away from gambling here. They are in the restroom,resturants,laundry mats...well...everywhere!
I think if you spend a few bucks without getting addicted then your perfectly fine, O and plus you get free drinks so i guess your not really wasting money

 

[wanderingone]

christians in a casino? strange, never heard of that. I wonder if those Christians bow down and pray before the pull the handle? I wonder what nonchristians in the same casino would think.

Why would you think that? You assume people who buy a lottery ticket are worshipping the game?

hmm, It might be good to just stay safe and not try it even if you think nothings wrong with it. Imagine getting addicted-that would not be a very good Christian witness at all.

I'd say you didn't read my posts, I don't gamble, but I do shop, I happen to know someone who was addicted to shopping, should I stay out of the mall because it might not be safe? I did go to atlantic city once with hubby - I didn't enjoy it - so I didn't gamble anymore.

now if yall changed the word gambling to drinking or drugging I'm sure that people wouldn't be defending it so much.

I wouldn't be so sure. Honestly I don't see anyone "defending" gambling as in "It's a great thing and we all should do it" I see people saying they play the lottery now and then...