Should a Christian Participate in the Lottery?

[gladstone]

I've been in a work syndicate for years, but am now wondering whether or not to be, simply because I guess I'm not putting all my trust in God. Any thoughts or suggestions will be greatly appriciated.

Thank you

 

[HouseofJudah]

Well I do not think Christians should play the lottery because it signifies a lack of faith in GOD supplying your needs. It's a game of chance and a scam run by the state to yet rob the poor of money that they don't need. It also feeds the greed of humans because people believe that they can get instantly rich without working hard for their money.

I believe in the saying the goes "Easy Come, Easy Go". If you get money easily, you can't keep it. If you work hard for it, you will appreciate it and be a wise steward of it.

 

[Janie]

Hi Gladstone, I have to smile because I have a similar situation at my work, where I'm about the only staff member not involved in the syndicate. I don't take part pretty much for the reasons you and HouseofJudah mentioned - I figure God will provide for all my needs, plus I've watched family members buy lottery tickets week after week for years without winning anything and I think about the money they threw away doing that.
I have to admit, though, that recently I've been thinking about taking part at work anyway, not because I want to win but so that I'm not 'left out', I guess. And it's cheaper than the staff footy tipping competition
I don't see any point in buying a lottery ticket with the hope or expectation of actually winning. A lot of people buy tickets, but only a handful ever get anything back.

 

[gladstone]

Thanks for the responses. I'm no longer in the syndicate, because I guess I can hear the little voice of consience at the back of my mind, and with a new year I want to do the right thing.

Janie - it sounds like you're not in a syndicate because you know it's not right, so don't worry about being 'left out'! I'm going to be 'left out' now too!!

 

[BeGood]

I am not doing lottery , one reason is simply, I have no success in it.
Maybe there is reason enough .(Havent been playing in decades).

 

[HouseofJudah]

Janie,

I hear your reason for becoming part of your syndicate at work, you say yo want to fit in. I have a question, how will people set you apart as a Christian if you do things which are against GOD's principles. The reason Christians compromise themselves is because they want to fit in with people around them. But if you read the Bible and study great men that GOD used mightily, you'll see that GOD set them apart from everybody else because He wanted to use them. From Moses to Joseph to David to Jeremiah, even Jesus. They could not fit in with the rest of the crowd because they people would not be able to see the difference between their calling from GOD and everybody else going thru their normal lives.

My advice to you would be to stand up for what you believe and GOD's principles. Your workplace is not your life. There might be someone there who will see something different about you and a door will be opened for you to minister to them.

God Bless

 

[homewardbound]

Some good replies. Let me add another perspective. Playing the lottery is a form of covetousness. You're basically trying to get other people's money.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

One thing the Lord Jesus does not want us doing is trying to "fit in" with the world. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus says, "No man can serve (be devoted to) two masters."You have a choice. Which master will you serve? Will you continue to devote yourself to being popular with people? Or will you serve the Lord Jesus?

I can tell you from my own experience that serving the Lord is a far better choice. He has rewarded my very feeble efforts to follow him by showing me bit-by-bit his purpose for my life and giving me Christian friends who have enriched my life in many ways.

I'm not saying you should turn your back on the people you work alongside, but I am saying that you must, as the old hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face."


SLE

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Amen SLE. I have never bought a lottery ticket as I felt it was a type of gambling as you are spending money in the hope of winning. Just like buying raffle tickets. I will not buy them.

We are called to be different. We are in the world but not of the world.

 

[Buddy2]

I had a funny one happen at work. The guys are playing a Super Bowl block. I said no thanks and without my knowledge a coworker paid $10 for a square (really not sure how it all works) in my name and then told me we'll share it if it wins. HaHa! :embarasse

 

[Maureen]

Just a li'l story
I used to put on lottery money and football money for a Jewish man
in a nursing home were I used to work a few years ago, well I did for a while until a still small vioce spoke to me and told me it was wrong, even though it wasn't for myself I was aiding and abetting so to speak, so I had to go and tell him I couldn't do it anymore because I was a Christian, and you know he fully understood and I think it may have even spoke to him just what the Lord Jesus does in our lives as he was an Orthodox Jew.

 

[Apkerr]

I understand not buying lottery tickets...I'm still waiting for the day that I'm the only one who shows up at work because the pool won the lottery!

Here's a twist though...what if someone GAVE you a ticket? Would you just throw it out? Would you cash it to see if you won anything? What would you do with the money if you did win?

One of my patients gave me a couple tickets as a Christmas gift two years ago. I just put them in the pile with the other staff's tickets and said "I'm in for this draw." I didn't actually spend any money on the tickets so....

Andrew
(ps: we didn't win anything)

 

[Chad]

Well I do not think Christians should play the lottery because it signifies a lack of faith in GOD supplying your needs. It's a game of chance and a scam run by the state to yet rob the poor of money that they don't need. It also feeds the greed of humans because people believe that they can get instantly rich without working hard for their money.

I believe in the saying the goes "Easy Come, Easy Go". If you get money easily, you can't keep it. If you work hard for it, you will appreciate it and be a wise steward of it.

Amen!

"…Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10

You want guaranteed results? Do what GOD promises in the above Scripture. Of course, don't treat GOD like a genie or worship Him because of money. That would be a horrible motive.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

As usual, God's answer to this issue is in his Word: "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1 Tim 6:17)

Do you say, "I'm not rich"? Its been shown that if you have any money in your pocket or purse, you are richer than two-thirds of the world population.

SLE

 

[DeaconBob3]

No we should not play

 

[ladylovesJesus]

The Salvation Army has a policy that to be a soldier in the army you are not allowed to drink, smoke or gamble. The lottery is a big gamble as the chances of winning are so low.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[jbow]

just a thought

just a thought......i heard the lottery here recently was something like 137 million (after they stomp $150 million taxes out of it, lol) but that's still an outrageous amount of money and what about someone buying say just a single ticket with there idea of putting all that towards feeding the children in the missionfields or building wells in africa or one of the other ideas that come to mind where that much money could be used to glorify God.....

 

[ladylovesJesus]

The chances of them winning is so low it would be better to give to the charity instead. Taking a chance by gambling on lottery is a waste of money.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Alicia]

I rather think about gambling as being a stumbling block to my brothers and sisters when I indulge. This has destroyed many lives and families and we as Christians need to show discipline and make a statement that we will not participate.

Yes, one person may be able to control it but another may not, and you may encourage the other by participating, causing him/her into a sinful habit then he/she may stop providing for his/her family etc.

Alicia

 

[SpiritLedEd]

just a thought......i heard the lottery here recently was something like 137 million (after they stomp $150 million taxes out of it, lol) but that's still an outrageous amount of money and what about someone buying say just a single ticket with there idea of putting all that towards feeding the children in the missionfields or building wells in africa or one of the other ideas that come to mind where that much money could be used to glorify God.....

Do you really believe that one who plays the lottery would actually turn all that money over to charity? People who play the lottery are looking to strike it rich for themselves, not for others.

"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." (1 Tim 6:9)


SLE