Featured Pastor warns Christians not to play Mega Millions lotto

1. Do you believe it is right for a Christian to gamble? (that is what it is).
2. Do you believe it is right to believe in the principle of "getting something for nothing," when the Bible teaches against laziness, and teaches a work ethic, and providing for one's own.
3. Do you believe it is right to waste your money on such a godless institution when you could be giving it to your own local church for a better cause such as missions, since the odds of getting hit by an asteroid are more likely than winning that lottery?

 

I have better things to do with my money than gamble or play the lottery, but the basis of my conclusion is that I can give it to the church, provide for my family, or invest in retriement. I am not so sure about the reasoning of getting something for nothing in the same light as someone being supported by someone else who will not work.

In the 1920's, our church minutes record an incident where a member was disfellowshipped for investing in the stock market, or for the mindset of the day, getting something for nothing. Today, how many of us do not invest in stocks, bonds and mutual funds for retirement. We do not consider that getting something for nothing today. We are putting at risk funds to make a profit, because with a savings account or CD today, one would starve to death.

So, what gives us the right to say the stock market is ok, and the lottery ticket is not. Fifty years ago both were wrong. In fact, one could say that interest on a savings account is something for nothing. If you are investing your retirement in stocks or bonds, what makes that different than the lottery ticket? What makes the line between the stock market and lottery ticket the right standard compared to the standard fifty years ago?

I do not buy lottery tickets or gamble, but we need to be honest about why. If we base it on Scripture, we need to have a valid reason for saying the stock market is ok and lottery tickets are not in based on the Bible.

Common sense has to come into play somewhere. If you are depriving your family of support, or you are addicted to gambling devices, you have no business playing the games.

To answer the op, and this is an op of pure opinion, I would say a Pastor hs better things to talk about than buying lottery tickets, like getting people off the pews and serving the Lord. My guess is that the Pastor is invested in stocks somehow.

 

The Bible has no teachings on gambling.

The lottery is no different than the stock market or other investments in many ways. While we should be mindful and appreciative that some have serious problems with addictive qualities, most psychologists and therapists don't see addictive lottery players having the same levels of disaffection as traditional gamblers.

I don't care if someone plays the lotto. I don't care if someone from our church plays the lotto. I only ask them to tithe on their earnings... Evangelicals make too much of some of these things.

 

Legalism. This pastor needs to tend HIS flock, not attempt to be the shepherd of all Christians.

I don't gamble, btw...but I do believe in the priesthood of the believer.

 

If they have their financial obligations met, sure.

You mean like an inheritance? Gifts? Interest?

The same can be said about pay tv, movies, sporting events, etc. All wrong?

 

Another sign of the end times, WebDog and I agree.

 

Even a broken clock is right twice a day (not me of course :laugh

 

I find the application of the Word of God in this case to be very self serving. It's as if he picked the topic with his mind already made up then dug up some Bible verses that could be bent enough to serve his purposes.

I hope that I am growing out of this type of "study" of the scriptures. I want the truth of the Scriptures. I want to let God's Word form my theology and doctrines instead of letting my beliefs interpret the Scriptures.
A better case can be built for the idea that it is OK for me to have multiple wives than this 'case' against the lottery. I don't believe that very many of us would actually say with all seriousness "I have studied the Bible over the span of many years, and I Know I am 100% correct on everything I believe. Most will admit to one or another area of error in our studies. But ," Please Dear God Let us handle Your Word with honesty, openness to having our hearts and minds changed, and integrity."

 

Don't be silly. Everyone of my questions have to do with the OP.
In fact the first question was the very reason Piper gave for not playing the lotto--it is gambling. Thus I ask you again: Do you believe that gambling is the right thing to do?

 

No worries here, I've got something "Mega Millions" can't buy. :godisgood:

Paul Williams & The Victory Trio - I Went Down A Beggar But I Came Up A Millionaire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgseijhq8QM

Ephesians 2:1-10
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

 

It was not too long ago that the stock market was condemned. Now secular and religious organizations use the stock market to make money.

 

Sound investments cannot be construed as gambling.
To put money into something where there is virtually no chance of return is a pure waste of God's money. Remember all that you have is the Lord's.

 

Scenario: I have a free evening with 3 friends. I want to spend $10 enjoying time with them. Options we consider are:

1. have a poker night and each pitch in $ for our beginning stack of chips. spend 2 hours talking and playing...some go home with more money, some with less.

2. go to a movie. don't talk at all.

3. go to a dirt-track race.

4. Go out to eat.


Is there something, BIBILCALLY, that makes option one inherently sinful?

 

This is a free nation. My answers are on topic. I am not censored by you. You are acting childish.

 

no such thing anymore as a sound investment. All investment carries risk, meaning it is all a gamble to some extent. I know firsthand from losing a ton during this crash in "sound investments" that were secured even.

At any rate the interest earned was not worked for, another of your pet peeves.