God and lottery numbers?

[asianchexmix]

I don't know if this goes into the advice section but I wonder if one day you were praying for financial breakthrough and then God gave you that week's lottery numbers. Is that even possible for God's will to be done through that way? Could God's will be for someone to win the lottery to provide financially for the rest of their life? I guess I'm asking is that is something of God's character. Your thoughts and insights are appreciated.

 

[silentpoet]

Not likely, but possible. It is more likely it is the devil, look at the history of some of the winners.

 

[goldenviolet]

not that i know God's will for another... or that this would apply to everyone... but for the sake of exsplaining my thoughts:
*hug* the Lord's will is spiritual, not physical. the Lord brings things and blessings that aultimately become a blessing, challenge, etc. spiritually.
He does provide for us. but we must be content with what we have. if the Lord intends for you to become rich: it won't be an earthly wealth... even if money is involved... it will be a spiritual blessing: like being called to set up a soup kitchen. we are not suppose to have more than what we need financially. we are suppose to have just enough, and just enough to bless others with. i don't believe the Lord plays the lottery. His nature is spiritual wellness for His people. this is His will. everything else is our will. He promises us success only in His will. He knows best. maybe spiritually you will lean on His will, more a poor man, than if you were rich? maybe the Lord will have a hand in a player's success: for some lovely purpose within ministries or the church. maybe you will be blessed with earthly riches. who knows but the Lord, what paths your life has instore? praying to win the lottery though, is earthly. it's also gambling; which is nothing more than a game, not an investment. i wouldn't want to go before the Lord with this. i'd rather ask for wisdom and His will in being content... because once upon a time when i was young: i prayed for all sorts of things, too. but i've learned that i need to erase my 'pictures' of prosperity... and focus on being content while seeking the Lord's 'pictures' of prosperity for me. ~ from my own bank of lessons, xo dee

 

[Sophrosyne]

From what I have read in the bible... the only time Lots were drawn (lotteries) was when man could not decide among themselves or leaders didn't know what to do. At that time God could do what he wanted but I don't remember God saying... do a lottery. The idea of most lotteries IMO is against God's principles as they use greed as the incentive for giving for most folks playing lotteries it is about winning and not just fun. God isn't exalted, doesn't get a cut and as another said.... many winners of lotteries end up worse off than they were before they won as greed overtakes them and everyone around them turns on them for money.
Of course this perhaps is more extreme examples but IMO anytime anyone you know gets a lot of money most people have a thought of them *giving* them some of it. I have had thoughts of that, I didn't persue or act upon them but nevertheless I did have them. A christian that won the lottery would be put in a situation that would severely test their faith..
People that have never had a windfall don't realize the temptation of that huge amount of money.... men of God have fallen by the wayside.. when the price was too much for their flesh to resist. Would God will that on anyone he couldn't trust? perhaps for a lesson he would.

I don't know if this goes into the advice section but I wonder if one day you were praying for financial breakthrough and then God gave you that week's lottery numbers. Is that even possible for God's will to be done through that way? Could God's will be for someone to win the lottery to provide financially for the rest of their life? I guess I'm asking is that is something of God's character. Your thoughts and insights are appreciated.

 

[svl3p]

lotteries are also technically gambling...paying money in the hopes of winning more back..no different than going to a casino and playing their games...while i don't think gambling itself is a sin..i found this on the net, thought maybe it would help.

__

Question: "Is gambling a sin? What does the Bible say about gambling?"

Answer: Gambling can be defined as “risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds.” The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[asianchexmix]

By no means am I suggesting I am seeking God for this to happen to me. I was just thinking out loud because I was wondering what people would think. But one thing I wonder, what if it is God's will for you to be wealthy to the point where you create church buildings, worship centers, centers for the lost and just do things that financially not many are blessed enough to have. I mean what if your role is an enabler for ministries. Couldn't then God bless you abundantly so that you would enable other ministries to do their thing? Are these questions something we can't answer because we don't know the mind of God or is there any Scripture saying that these desires are sinful? Like if I had money, I feel that I could give it to many different ministries so that they can do their ministries but then again I don't have that financial resources so maybe it's different if I get it. Just wondering. Thanks for the reply!

 

[goldenviolet]

By no means am I suggesting I am seeking God for this to happen to me. I was just thinking out loud because I was wondering what people would think. But one thing I wonder, what if it is God's will for you to be wealthy to the point where you create church buildings, worship centers, centers for the lost and just do things that financially not many are blessed enough to have. I mean what if your role is an enabler for ministries. Couldn't then God bless you abundantly so that you would enable other ministries to do their thing? Are these questions something we can't answer because we don't know the mind of God or is there any Scripture saying that these desires are sinful? Like if I had money, I feel that I could give it to many different ministries so that they can do their ministries but then again I don't have that financial resources so maybe it's different if I get it. Just wondering. Thanks for the reply!

i think if we look outside the box of money, and even what we know...
seeking wisdom and guidance; we'll ultimately get these answers. if you see a ministry that exsists or doesn't exsist; that needs blessings, money, devoted servants etc... then they are only a request away. if the Lord wants you somewhere, it is as simple as letting Him know you are willing to have Him put you on the door step. maybe you write a letter to your church... or make a poster to start up interrest... you pray, seek counsel and support... you either raise the money, get it by miracle, or be the one that introduces the need/ ministry to those who can make it happen. maybe you start out small: say a group of brothers/sisters and then trust God to lead you into the answers. xo dee

p.s. i'm disabled. not much $$... but every time i've sought out to bless a ministry, the Lord provided a way. take the discounts and dollar stores for example. i save up extra money then go looking for good deals to bless others with. sounds small, and simple. but the Lord makes it big and amazing. even if i only have ten dollars. one time i found the bible on DVD's... i bought them and donated them to homes for the elderly: they have a hard time reading... and the word is soothing. another time i found jump ropes and coloring books with crayons. i got them and took them to the local family shelter and just loved on the homeless kids. look around you. miracles come in all sizes. xo dee

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[Sketcher]

I personally think so. The Bible doesn't say anything about gambling being inherently sinful, and if God gave you a lottery number, then you're going to win. Of course, if you don't win, that probably wasn't the voice of God and you can chalk that up as a lesson in how to tell when He is speaking to you. I really don't think He would give someone losing numbers week after week, that would be human presumption. So the wise thing to do would be to have a "one strike, you're out" policy toward that.

Now, if you are going to win, that brings up the question of what does God want you to do with tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. I don't think that He would give such instruction without at least dropping some heavy hints:

"Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets." - Amos 3:7

 

[Blue Olive]

Gambling (i.e. the lottery) is like driving an automobile down the road and letting go of the wheel. Will the car drive itself or will you find yourself in a ditch?

I think God wants us to earn money by doing good work.

 

[drich0150]

Not if the "Car's" front end alignment is good.
The long and short of all of this is, It rains on the Just and unjust alike. Yes there are non Christian lottery winners, But there are Christian one's too. My State holds up an example of a the first person to win over 50 million after Giving to her church, and setting up her family she still had over 2/3 left, and that money all went to charities when she died.

You can't fit God into a box, and expect him to preform a certain way. Just Ask (if you get the chance) the pharisees, They thought they had him pretty well figured out when he sent them Jesus. This is why we are to Question ALL things and hold on to what is good!

 

[Blue Olive]

To put it another way, here's some quick math. The chances of winning a 6/49 lottery are about 14 million to 1. The average payout is about $5 million or so. This means that if 14 million people played a dollar each, $9 million would go to the lottery company and $5 would go to one person (who, we might say, could donate it to church).

If these 14 million people donated $1 to their church instead, all $14 million would go to church. Now those are good odds for me. Why not be in control?

 

[gratefulgrace]

I have thought about this issue and I have bought lottery tickets from time to time. I guess I am pretty convinced that I don't have what it takes or my family doesn't to be a big winner even if in my head I assume I will be generous and give to charities my church etc. I would have to share with my children and I just don't think they could handle a quick influx of cash all at once. It could rob them of ambiton to seek God's will for a career etc. For me nearing retirement that doesn't seem so bad, Ihave had a career but what about a 20 year old who suddenly gets a windfall. I think that is why big winnings in the long run have more negative than positive effects.

 

[drich0150]

To put it another way, here's some quick math. The chances of winning a 6/49 lottery are about 14 million to 1. The average payout is about $5 million or so. This means that if 14 million people played a dollar each, $9 million would go to the lottery company and $5 would go to one person (who, we might say, could donate it to church).

If these 14 million people donated $1 to their church instead, all $14 million would go to church. Now those are good odds for me. Why not be in control?

In the US the states put on the lottery themselves. The states keep any money made, to supplement state collected taxes. Some states use lottery funds instead of collecting tax like Florida, which saves it's residents thousands every year. With this method of volunteer tax collection in place it frees up money for others to do more with their money, like buy Gas. or some of the fine Ideas you suggested.
Make no mistake the "lottery/Tax" money will come out from the people who live in the state one way or another. This way "we" get to choose who is taxed and one lucky person(s) once or twice a week gets rich in return.