The Lottery??

[Ascetic X]

When Christians go along with the unsaved crowd, merrily indulging in the same worldly activities, Christianity appears to be just a creed, with no matching deeds.

Many believers do not want to be deprived of their fleshly enjoyments.

Rather than take seriously the command “be not conformed to this world”, they are pleased to live a barely spiritual life, content with the world and its enticements.

 

[Salty]

I’m not saying the pastor should be welcoming it or asking for it. I’m on the side of he should not be recommending get rich quick schemes.
But how would you know?

Depends on the State/Commmowealth. Some laws allow annomonity - others - the winners are public knowledge.

 

[Ben1445]

Depends on the State/Commmowealth. Some laws allow annomonity - others - the winners are public knowledge.

Specifically the money from the lottery.
If a church were to get a large gift, is the first thing they do to check who won the lottery?

 

[JonC]

So, is it a sin to play the lottery.
Say, someone in your church won $100,000 in the lottery and then decided to give a $10,000 gift to the church>
Would you have any problem accepting that money?

So lets talk about Christians playing the lottery!

I do not think it is a sin to play the lottery, but it could lead to sin.

I occasionally buy a lottery ticket. If I get change I may buy a ticket.

A few weeks ago an older lady was scratching tickets she had bought. I bought a soda and used the change to buy a scratch off. I gave it to the woman. It was a means to have a conversation.

But people can become obsessed with the chance of winning money.

It is no different than asking if it is a sin to eat a doughnut. While it may not be healthy, just eating one occasionally is not unhealthy.

 

[canadyjd]

Well, I kind of have a problem with the lottery winner announcing how much they are giving to the church. They have the reward they desire, I think.

I remember many years ago a man in the South (can’t remember where or any details about him), winning a big lottery and giving a press conference with a pastor (if I remember correctly) to announce 10% (millions) in donations to the church.

A couple of years later I read a story where he had been robbed at a strip club. The owner and his stripper girlfriend gave him a private event, drugged him, and stole several hundred thousand dollars out of the trunk of his car.

The love of money is the cause of all kinds of evil.

Peace to you

 

[Salty]

Well, I kind of have a problem with the lottery winner announcing how much they are giving to the church. They have the reward they desire, I think.

I remember many years ago a man in the South (can’t remember where or any details about him), winning a big lottery and giving a press conference with a pastor (if I remember correctly) to announce 10% (millions) in donations to the church.

A couple of years later I read a story where he had been robbed at a strip club. The owner and his stripper girlfriend gave him a private event, drugged him, and stole several hundred thousand dollars out of the trunk of his car.

The love of money is the cause of all kinds of evil.

Peace to you

check this link for the story about loosing the money

This is the link about Jack Whittaker

 

[Salty]

A few weeks ago an older lady was scratching tickets she had bought. I bought a soda and used the change to buy a scratch off. I gave it to the woman. It was a means to have a conversati

So did you you have a conversation with her ?

 

[OnlyaSinner]

In Michigan voters went to the polls to vote on the enactment of a state lottery. The legislature promoted the lottery as a means to add funding for public schools. What actually happened after its passage was divert tax revenue that had been going to public schools to other programs. The voters were deceived as the legislature marketed the revenue from ticket sales would be additional to the tax revenue going to public schools. Had it been clear that it would replace tax dollars, the lottery would most likely have been defeated by the voters,. This serves as an example why politicians can't be trusted.

Not gambling but a similar case of legislator chicanery. In the 1980s the Maine legislature created the conservation license plate; for $15 more one would get that nice loon plate, the revenue being split between the chronically underfunded State Parks and the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Dept. After passing that bill, the legislature determined the probable revenue that would go to Parks and defunded Parks' general funds by that amount. (Fortunately, that sleight of hand caused enough outrage that the general funds were restored.)

 

[th1bill]

I have spent $0 on the Texas Lottery but Matthew 7:1-6 comes to mind here. Am I without sin ?

 

[JonC]

So did you you have a conversation with her ?

I did.

 

[Reynolds]

So, is it a sin to play the lottery.
Say, someone in your church won $100,000 in the lottery and then decided to give a $10,000 gift to the church>
Would you have any problem accepting that money?

So lets talk about Christians playing the lottery!

I guess it depends on the person's heart. Stock market is the lottery in a sense. Real estate market, futures market, etc. etc.

 

[th1bill]

I guess it depends on the person's heart. Stock market is the lottery in a sense. Real estate market, futures market, etc. etc.

I agree and the only investments I've made are in my Homestead.and Yehovah has seen to all I need.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

So lets talk about Christians playing the lottery!

The question becomes: Is every risk a form of gambling?

A farmer plants seed, knowing the risks of drought, flood, hail, insects, or disease that could wipe out his crop.

A business buys inventory hoping customers will buy it.

An entrepreneur starts a business that may succeed or fail.

A person deposits money in a bank expecting a return.

An investor buys shares hoping a company will prosper.

All of these involve risk.

So the question becomes: Is every risk a form of gambling?

I would say no. There is a difference between productive risk and gambling.

Productive risk includes things like planting a field, starting a business, lending money, or investing in a productive company. There is uncertainty involved, but there is also work, planning, stewardship, and the creation of something useful.

Gambling is different. Gambling is a game, wagering money on an uncertain outcome that is largely determined by chance. The goal is not to produce something of value, but to profit from the outcome of the wager itself.

The difference is not risk. Risk is a part of life. The difference is between productive activity that involves risk and games of chance.

A farmer takes a risk when he plants a crop. A businessman takes a risk when he opens a store. An investor takes a risk when he commits capital. Yet most people would not call these activities gambling because they involve productive effort rather than a wager on chance.

Risk alone does not make something gambling. The question is whether the activity produces value or simply depends upon chance.

 

[Salty]

Gambling is different. Gambling is a game, wagering money on an uncertain outcome that is largely determined by chance. The goal is not to produce something of value, but to profit from the outcome of the wager itself.

not if you cheat !!!