Lottery

[InTheLight]

I have calculated the chances of winning the lottery and they are identical whether you play or not.

 

[freeatlast]

This is fun, its a bunch of theologically loaded questions...

I have yet to see a verse that prohibits either the lottery or gambling in the Scriptures.

Let me ask another:
If a member buys 10,000 shares of stock which triples in value in 9 months, he sells half and gives the proceeds to your local do you accept it? Is it any different?

Thou shall not covet.

 

[freeatlast]

If a member of your church won it big in the lottery - say - $250,000 net - would your church accept the offering of the winner ? :1_grouphug:

I think it would, but mine is also a very liberal church.

 

[Crabtownboy]

If a member of your church won it big in the lottery - say - $250,000 net - would your church accept the offering of the winner ? :1_grouphug:

I asked a pastor that very question. The reply, "I think we could find absolution for the person and accept the check." :smilewinkgrin:

 

[preachinjesus]

Thou shall not covet.

Okay, but then one could reasonably point out that going outside and looking at your neighbor's drive way would be the same violation. This verse isn't a good one to use because it isn't specific.

I know plenty of people who would tell you that they go to Vegas to blow off steam by playing Blackjack, roulette, or the slot machines. They don't do it because they covet someone's stuff, they do it for fun.

From my reading of the Bible I don't see a prohibition on gambling.

 

[freeatlast]

Okay, but then one could reasonably point out that going outside and looking at your neighbor's drive way would be the same violation. This verse isn't a good one to use because it isn't specific.

I know plenty of people who would tell you that they go to Vegas to blow off steam by playing Blackjack, roulette, or the slot machines. They don't do it because they covet someone's stuff, they do it for fun.

From my reading of the Bible I don't see a prohibition on gambling.

No scripture is good enough except for those who believe the Lord who gave the scriptures. The rebellious can justify anything they do even with clear passages. The coveting passage is clear to any who seek the light. For the rest they have their reward.

 

[preachinjesus]

No scripture is good enough except for those who believe the Lord who gave the scriptures. The rebellious can justify anything they do even with clear passages. The coveting passage is clear to any who seek the light. For the rest they have their reward.

(ironic voice on)
Well I'm glad you can clearly see that I'm being rebellious. Thanks for that. :thumbsironic voice off)

My challenge stands, show me where it is the Scriptures. The coveting verse isn't a good one and it's not clear.

If we sit there and condemn people for playing the lottery, going to Vegas to run the tables, buying a raffle ticket from the kid next door, getting together for a causal poker game, participating in a casino night than I would hope we've got a better textual basis than what you've suggested. So show me.

 

[annsni]

(ironic voice on)
Well I'm glad you can clearly see that I'm being rebellious. Thanks for that. :thumbsironic voice off)

My challenge stands, show me where it is the Scriptures. The coveting verse isn't a good one and it's not clear.

If we sit there and condemn people for playing the lottery, going to Vegas to run the tables, buying a raffle ticket from the kid next door, getting together for a causal poker game, participating in a casino night than I would hope we've got a better textual basis than what you've suggested. So show me.

See, in my mind, the issue is the heart. What is the purpose of doing the activity? Playing the lottery really doesn't bring any pleasure, IMO. However, playing a poker game (especially when you are playing for toothpics or pennies or something similarly simple) or participating in a casino night can be fun - just like playing any game would be. You can socialize with others, there are challenges in the game and it's just plain fun. Now, if one were playing poker or the casino night to be greedy and try to gain money, I think that would be a different story. So to me, the purpose of the heart is the issue.

One thing about the coveting thing is that I can look at my neighbor's house, think "Man, that place looks nice. I wish my house looked like that." and go one of two ways. One would be "What can I do to help make my house look a little bit better?" and the other would be "I can't believe they are so lucky to be able to have a house like that. I hate my house and wished I had theirs instead." Both of them started out with the same sentence but ended very differently. Again, it's where the heart is.

 

[freeatlast]

(ironic voice on)
Well I'm glad you can clearly see that I'm being rebellious. Thanks for that. :thumbsironic voice off)

My challenge stands, show me where it is the Scriptures. The coveting verse isn't a good one and it's not clear.

If we sit there and condemn people for playing the lottery, going to Vegas to run the tables, buying a raffle ticket from the kid next door, getting together for a causal poker game, participating in a casino night than I would hope we've got a better textual basis than what you've suggested. So show me.

If you admitt to rebellion then repent and confess, the Lord will forgive. Just accept what scripture says. Don't covet. No one ever plays the lottery, goes to vegas to play the slots, or to a casino just to have fun. They are seeking to win a jack pot or should we say covet. They covet to be rich or hit it big.
Covet;
to desire, covet, take pleasure in, delight in
a) (Qal) to desire
b) (Niphal) to be desirable
c) (Piel) to delight greatly, desire greatly

 

[annsni]

Just accept what scripture says. Don't covet. No one ever plays the lottery, goes to vegas to play the slots, or to a casino just to have fun. They are seeking to win a jack pot or should we say covet. They covet to be rich or hit is big.

Now you are going to motivation. I know years ago, my husband used to go to Las Vegas frequently for trade shows (he was in the pro-audio industry) and would go to the casinos with some clients. He went with a small budget and would play some games - just to be able to play some games. The budget he came up with was what he was willing to spend to spend some time with these guys - not to make money. He never did make money either. So you can't say that my husband went to seek to win a jackpot.

 

[freeatlast]

Now you are going to motivation. I know years ago, my husband used to go to Las Vegas frequently for trade shows (he was in the pro-audio industry) and would go to the casinos with some clients. He went with a small budget and would play some games - just to be able to play some games. The budget he came up with was what he was willing to spend to spend some time with these guys - not to make money. He never did make money either. So you can't say that my husband went to seek to win a jackpot.

Yea right! I suppose he would have given the money back if he had won. Losing does not mean that coveting is not the motive. Work justifies coveting in this case. So many have their own justification for sin. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[annsni]

Yea right! I suppose he would have given the money back if he had won. Losing does not mean that coveting is not the motive. Work justifies coveting in this case. So many have their own justification for sin. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

He absolutely would have been happy to give the money away. It was not about the money - it was about the relationships. You can come up with whatever motivations you want. You don't know my husband's heart. I do. He'd happily give up a lot for relationships. Of course he'd not give up Jesus Christ but he'd give up anything from this world to be able to get into people's lives and maybe be a tool to bring them to Christ.

 

[freeatlast]

He absolutely would have been happy to give the money away. It was not about the money - it was about the relationships. You can come up with whatever motivations you want. You don't know my husband's heart. I do. He'd happily give up a lot for relationships. Of course he'd not give up Jesus Christ but he'd give up anything from this world to be able to get into people's lives and maybe be a tool to bring them to Christ.

Then we can go and watch the burlesque shows, drink and what ever as long as we do not mean it. My guess is that every prostitute justifies her trade because she does not get into the emotional side of her job and oh yes her customers need the fellowship and she does have to eat. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[annsni]

Then we can go and watch the burlesque shows, drink and what ever as long as we do not mean it. My guess is that every prostitute justifies her trade because she does not get into the emotional side of her job and oh yes her customers need the fellowship and she does have to eat. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

Show me where playing a game is wrong in the Bible. Remember, the early church cast lots.

You're just being foolish. Why is that? Honestly, I have to question your lack of grace, respect and love for your fellow believers.

 

[freeatlast]

Show me where playing a game is wrong in the Bible. Remember, the early church cast lots.

You're just being foolish. Why is that? Honestly, I have to question your lack of grace, respect and love for your fellow believers.

Now see there you go twisting what I said. Remember who twists what is said?

 

[annsni]

Now see there you go twisting what I said. Remember who twists what is said?

What a cop out.

 

[freeatlast]

What a cop out.

Yes you did didn't you. :thumbs:

 

[thegospelgeek]

I read through the post quickly, so if I am duplicateing someelse I am sorry.

There is no relationship at all between investing in stacks and gambling. One is investing and providing capital in a business that supplies someone with a product or sevice in exchange for money. The other takes money with no return except for the calulated return to the few. In other words, a proper business is a win win for all involved. gambling involes only profitting from someone elses loss.

How many of those who suport gambling would walk up to a poor mother with children and take $20 out of her purse? My guess would be none of us. You can't convince me that gambling is any different. You can say "No one forces the others to participate" all you want, but it still is taking a profit from someones loss. Scripture tells us to prefer our brother, not profit from him.

 

[annsni]

Now see there you go twisting what I said. Remember who twists what is said?

Yes you did didn't you. :thumbs:

Freeatlast - you are a fool. You state things, attack people and then act like a two year old. You say you do not sin daily but I can tell you right now that you have sinned against your sister in Christ. You may want to repent of that.

 

[freeatlast]

Freeatlast - you are a fool. You state things, attack people and then act like a two year old. You say you do not sin daily but I can tell you right now that you have sinned against your sister in Christ. You may want to repent of that.

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.