Is playing the lottery a sin?

Well Bill, I don't really have anything to challenge you on in regard to lotteries, but I really wonder about the reasoning you state.

How about if you found a ticket? How about if you stole one? How about if you discovered one having been used as a bookmarker in a library book; a winner. Would you take the money or find out from the library (if they would either give that information or contact the previous lendee on your behalf) who checked out the book before you and give them the winnings, or pay them the dollar, or whatever the cost was, of the ticket? No, I guess that would be buying it, so you would take the winnings without buying it.

Now this is interesting. You can put something to its intended use-- whatever that is, even if you would consider it wrong it you bougjht the thing yourself-- as long as it was given to you? Well, there are plenty of "free samples" from porno sites on the web. There are plenty of T-shirts, cups, stickers, et al, with obscene messages that a friend may give you for a gift this year. I don't think it's that hard to find brass knucks, disguised tear gas sprayers, or other weapons that you could be sued or thrown in jail for using, but maybe somebody will hear you faced a robber once and they will give you one.

Your logic (as you called it) that you can put an item to its intended use as long as you didn't buy it... I don't buy it.

 

The correct way to send a lottery ticket in a birthday card is already "scratched".

You explain it this way.

This ticket could have been a big winner. Had it been I would have bought you a nice gift and kept the balance. But as luck would have it we're both losers this year.

Your friend,

Hardsheller

 

what do you mean, cojosh?

you mean if someone gave you money they had just won from a lottery?

 

James, great point about the smoking, and let me offer congrats on breaking the habit! Great job, man!

 

Alcott, you are right.

My intent in that last statement was, if God says don't do it, I don't do it. God has NEVER said not to play games (which is how lottery tickets are marketed). Therefore, playing a lottery ticket (in and of itself) is NOT a sin. The sin comes in the greed in BUYING a ticket.

God HAS told me not to buy a lottery ticket. Therefore, I do not buy them. I have been given lottery tickets, and I played them (received $2 for the effort!), but I wil never buy one.

Bill

 

Okay,

I can see it being a poor choice, and I can see where the bible suggests only fools do it, but I don't see "Thou shalt not gamble," in the bible.

(By the way, I don't gamble or play the lottery).

I understand that the view that gambling is a sin came from the fact that people cast lots over the clothing of Christ. More of a "superstition" or "protest over it" than a command against it.

 

James Newman,

Covetness is an interesting argument. Isn't it covetness to want the promotion at work instead of just wanting to be the best bottom-of-the-rung person in the business? Or to want the brick house instead of the two room wood-frame on the bad side of town? The "new car" instead of the junker?

 

Remember the dude that buried his talent, so he wouldn't risk losing it ? All investment involves risk. Albeit, the lottery is a poor risk, the odds are stacked against you, but what's wrong with a dollar or two a year ?

I'm not arguing God wants us to gamble, just throwing sumpthin' out....

 

Very possibly. God knows our motives even if we don't. If I was to say I wanted a raise so I could go and buy me a new Mustang, I think that would indeed be covetousness. If I want a raise because I have a new baby on the way and I don't make enough money to feed it, that is probably a godly desire. But God will judge a man's heart.

1 Timothy 6:6-9
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Jesus said that the Father knows we have need of earthly things, food and clothing, etc. If we seek the kingdom first, He has promised to provide these things. When we are discontented with God's provision and seek to enlarge ourselves through means other than God has provided for us (work) we will likely end up in a snare. I think that if God could trust me with a lot of money, He would have given it to me by now When we are faithful in what we already have, then God can trust us with more.

 

well, wanting to buy a new Mustang isn't covetousness in and of itself. Wanting your neighbor's Mustang is coveting.

I know, its off topic, but I really like Mustangs.....lol

 

hehe, I like those new mustangs too

 

Excellent point, bapmom. I have a friend whose mom used to always make the following statement when she saw something she coveted. "Wow, I wish I had that and he/she had a feather. We'd both be tickled." Now, that is coveting!!

 

Coveting doesn't necessarily imply that the thing you desire is your neighbor's. The commandment says don't covet anything that is your neighbor's. The simplest definition of covet is to desire something. You can covet things in a good way, and in a bad way. While coveting your neighbor's stuff is obviously wrong, covetousness in general (simply desiring stuff) will at best be a hindrance to godliness.

1 John 2:16-17
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

 

Cojosh,

Public educators in states with lotteries are paid with funds generated from lottery ticket sales (in some circumstances anyway). If someone answered yes to your question, to my mind, they'd also consider these teachers to be sinning simply by using money they earned honestly. To answer your question, no, I do not have a problem with using scholarship money that you earn by virtue of grades or other achievement.

Rhonda

 

Cojosh,
I feel it would be wrong personally for myself or for my children to use lottery scholarship money to pay for college, since I believe the lottery to be gambling, and I believe gambling to be wrong.
To answer the point brought up by Rhonda, I did not realize some public instructors were paid by lottery funds in GA, but now knowing that, I could not teach in GA myself. For example, if I did an honest day's work but was paid with money I knew to be stolen, it would still be wrong for me to accept that salary. In the same manner, it would be wrong for me personally to accept the teacher's salary if it did come from lottery money since I believe the lottery to be wrong.

 

Does the Bible speak specifically to the issue of gambling?

I don't believe that it does however there are guiding principles;

Whose money is it to begin with? Mine? or GOD's? Am I being a good steward with that which GOD has entrusted me? Scripture is clear on a point that is sort of an "umbrella" >> "Whatever is not of faith, is sin" (yea I know I am lifting it out of the actual context, but I honestly think it is a principle that can be widely used to test.) Can I use money entrusted to me to "take a chance" or would that money be better spent furthering GOD's Kingdom where HE can multiply it as HE sees fit?

 

Pamela,

How would you know? I mean, if all the money goes into the same public coffers, how would you know if your salary came from taxes or gambling revenue?

Rhonda

 

Rhonda - My understanding of your post was that it would be discernible. If not, then I suppose I would have to research it to find out. I would take all measures possible to avoid receiving a salary from lottery funds. I feel that strongly about it.