playing LOTTO is it Ok????

[TaliOrlando]

I know so many who do play Lotto and are ashamed of it and some who say that its perfectly fine because it helps rebuild schools!!!

Is it Ok???


:wavey:

 

[LeBuick]

I know so many who do play Lotto and are ashamed of it :wavey:

This part don't make sense, if they are ashamed of what they're doing then why do it? In their case, forget what other people think, THEY are ashamed so should quit their shameful behavior.

 

[TaliOrlando]

This part don't make sense, if they are ashamed of what they're doing then why do it? In their case, forget what other people think, THEY are ashamed so should quit their shameful behavior.

Now I am sure there are some Christians who feel there is nothing wrong with playing Lotto??? Does anyone here play Lotto???


Lets Keep it real!!! There has to be some that play Lotto!!

 

[JamieinNH]

I play from time to time.. nothing on a regular basis, and only a dollar or two. To me, I don't think there is anything wrong with it, and it compares to paying $6 at the driving range to hit a bunch of balls.. Entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less with me.

Now, I do know people that spend and spend on the Loto in the hopes of winning it big, and they can't pay their bills, and they are behind on everything, I don't agree with that at all.

Play if you can, without it becoming a "way" of life..


As anything, play responible...

Jamie

 

[Scarlett O.]

As an educator, I despise the fact that people and their money are exploited all in the name of education. Lotteries are not begun nor run to "help" anybody. If anyone believes that, they are silly. It makes me angry that my profession and the children that I teach are being made the "lame duck" for state politicians. I could scream.

Now, is it alright to play the lottery? Well, the bible doesn't say not to, but the bible does have a lot to say that makes me believe that I, personally, should not.

The bible has a LOT to say about a personal work ethic. Playing a lottery in hopes of winning that fortune and living the rest of one's life living like a lazy slob on an island somewhere defies what the bible says about living your life.

Here's what the bible says about a work ethic. The interpretation of some the following verses is my own opinion, but I have pulled the following information from a website that is too long for most people to read through.

You can if you want to: http://aibi.gospelcom.net/tmk/tmk12_biblical_work_ethic.htm

• Many people in the bible who were "called" by the Lord were "called" while working...some of the disciples, Moses, David, Elisha. Jesus, Himself, commended shrewd business managers, widows with priorities, wise "virgins" who plan for the future, industrious people, and the like.
• "Work" originated before the fall of Adam. Genesis 2:16 Work was intended to be rewarding and only became cursed after the fall.
• Isaiah 28:23-29 tells about God "instructing" the farmer how to do his job. God is concerned about our living as well as our immortal soul.
• Solomon says that there is great satisfaction in doing a job well. Ecclesiates 3:22 and 2:24-26 He also warns that we should strive to do the best job possible on this earth, because once we are dead, we cannot come back and redo anything. Eccl. 9:10 He also warns that we shouldn't work to the "bone" to gain more and more material wealth. That's vanity. Eccl. 4:6
• Idleness and laziness will bring nothing but rot and decay. Proverbs 24:30-34 and 21:25 and 18:9; Eccl. 4:5
• People with a strong work ethic are to be admired and are considered righteous and good and should be emulated. Proverbs 31 and 22:29
• Fantasizing about the "one day" when you strike it rich will never be fruitful. Proverbs 14:23 and 17:24 and 21:5
• Even nature itself teaches a work ethic. Proverb 6:6
• If you have the ability and you don't somehow and in some form work for your keep, you don't deserve anything. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

The bible may not come out right and say, "don't play the state lottery", but I believe that it says enough about the work ethic that all of humanity is supposed to have that its clear that getting "something for nothing" is not a biblical concept.

 

[gekko]

Lets Keep it real!

i had to say something here. - has anybody ever really understood the meaning and context of the above statement?

i sure dont get it...
---

anyways. carry on.

 

[Jim1999]

Playing the lotto is gambling. Is gambling right? It is taking a "chance". My personal reason for not gambling or playing lotto lines up with why I never say "good luck" to anyone. I believe in the providential grace of God and everything in my life hinges on that; God's providential grace. Nothing is left to "chance". Now, I emphasize, that is my personal decision for not playing. On the otherhand, my dear wife does buy the odd lotto ticket and does not consder her two dollars a waste. It is her entertainment, and that is ok with me.....So, it remains a personal choice.

Cheers, and good luck...er...happy ending,

Jim

 

[drfuss]

This reminds me of putting a dollar or two in the pool when playing golf. Many Christians put in a dollar or two for a golf game and think nothing of it. Is there any difference?

For you none golfers, if you win the game or certains parts of the game, you get your share of the pot.

 

[Marcia]

Posted by Jim1999: Playing the lotto is gambling. Is gambling right? It is taking a "chance". My personal reason for not gambling or playing lotto lines up with why I never say "good luck" to anyone. I believe in the providential grace of God and everything in my life hinges on that; God's providential grace. Nothing is left to "chance". Now, I emphasize, that is my personal decision for not playing.

I agree with Jim! :thumbs:

I have 2 short tales on this:
1. As a new believer, I let a co-worker talk me into buying a lottery ticket on our lunch hour. I felt funny about it, but couldn't come up in my mind with any Biblical reason against it, so I did it. I felt so uncomfortable for days! I actually prayed that I would not win, as I felt I would have return any winnings. I didn't win. Since then, I've understood why I was so uncomfortable. There may not be a verse that says "don't gamble," but I think gambling goes against biblical principles of stewardship, caring for others, the idea of luck vs. trusting God, and your witness for Christ.

2. I ended up in a good conversation with a cashier once who told me about something she was wearing or had bought for luck (I can't recall the item now). I was able to talk to her briefly (until another customer came) about luck vs. God's sovereignty.

 

[LeBuick]

Playing the lotto is gambling. Is gambling right? It is taking a "chance". My personal reason for not gambling or playing lotto lines up with why I never say "good luck" to anyone. I believe in the providential grace of God and everything in my life hinges on that; God's providential grace. Nothing is left to "chance". Now, I emphasize, that is my personal decision for not playing. On the otherhand, my dear wife does buy the odd lotto ticket and does not consder her two dollars a waste. It is her entertainment, and that is ok with me.....So, it remains a personal choice.

Cheers, and good luck...er...happy ending,

Jim

You hit my nail on the head for me Jim, that's why I said if it shames you don't play. I don't play because I'm too cheap :laugh:

 

[Marcia]

This reminds me of putting a dollar or two in the pool when playing golf. Many Christians put in a dollar or two for a golf game and think nothing of it. Is there any difference?

For you none golfers, if you win the game or certains parts of the game, you get your share of the pot.

I don't think this is gambling. You are contributing to the pot which will serve as the winnings for a game of skill (at least one hopes it's skill!).

There is no skill or game in the lottery.

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Marcia: There is no skill or game in the lottery.

HP: It might appear that you judge something as gambling or not by whether there is skill involved. If this is the criteria for gambling, are those believing they are gambling in a poker game in fact not gambling? Poker is indeed a game to a large degree of skill.

Those golfers are gambling, skill or no skill, self-justified as ‘believing Christians’ or not. I do not believe skill is the criteria for deciding if something is gambling.

The principles that define gambling as I see them involve the issue of covetousness, where someone has to loose in order for someone else to gain without any fair exchange of services or goods.

The road I am traveling has far too many pitfalls along the sides of the road to get caught up in even such seemingly innocent pastimes as putting money in a pot in a golf game. I ask myself several questions when trying to decide how to conduct myself. Can I do it in faith? What would Jesus do? Is it in keeping with a fair days work for a fair days pay? Is it being a good steward of the finances God has granted to me? Is it a good example to set for others? Could others be wrongly influenced by my behavior? Is it opening a door in my life or in the life of others that might prove to be detrimental to the spiritual and financial well being of those involved or those watching my life? Does it have the potential to hurt my testimony? Is it showing consistency in my walk with the Lord and his commandments? Can I do it to the glory of God?

I am sure you can think of other questions we might ask ourselves as well.

My motto again is, others may but I cannot.

 

[Jim1999]

I think it was in Florida that the Salvation Army refused a rather subtantial donation because it came as the result of a lottery win. They demonstrated great courage and conviction about gambling.

On the golfing thing, I think that is splitting hairs. Now that may be because I can throw that little ball further than I can drive it with any club. I make a better caddy!

I remember preaching one Sunday about the evils of gambling. On the way home, I stopped off at a shop to buy some ice cream. Whilst there I met five members of that church in queque to purchase lottery tickets!!!!! Guess what my sermon was the following Sunday....just kidding, but I was tempted..:saint:

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Jim 1999:Guess what my sermon was the following Sunday....just kidding, but I was tempted..

HP: If not then, when?

 

[Marcia]

HP: It might appear that you judge something as gambling or not by whether there is skill involved. If this is the criteria for gambling, are those believing they are gambling in a poker game in fact not gambling? Poker is indeed a game to a large degree of skill.

Those golfers are gambling, skill or no skill, self-justified as ‘believing Christians’ or not. I do not believe skill is the criteria for deciding if something is gambling.

The principles that define gambling as I see them involve the issue of covetousness, where someone has to loose in order for someone else to gain without any fair exchange of services or goods.

Well, maybe that's your perception of it. I think of gambling as betting on something involving chance or guessing, as in buying a lottery ticket or betting on a horse.

Betting or staking of something of value on the outcome of a game or event. Commonly associated with gambling are horse racing, boxing, numerous playing-card and dice games, cockfighting, jai alai, recreational billiards and darts, bingo, and lottery. In most gambling games it is customary to express the idea of probability in terms of “odds against winning.” In the U.S. casino gambling, once highly restricted, is now legal in many states, and lotteries are employed by many states to raise revenues.
http://www.answers.com/topic/gambling

I agree with Jim that it could be splitting hairs, and some might not want to put money in a pot when playing golf.

Do you think buying stocks is gambling?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Marcia: Do you think buying stocks is gambling?

HP: No. No one has to lose in order for someone to gain.

 

[JamieinNH]

Other then the peole that say gambling is out-right wrong, people that say one thing is gambling and another thing isn't are spliting hairs as someone put it.

They don't want to accept that gambling is gambling, be it at the track, on a Lotto ticket, or in a Sport pool.

For me, as long as I spend a buck here and there for fun, I don't think it's wrong.

Someone also mentioned that gambling was wrong because you're looking to get a "free ride" and not have to work... That is true, but that doesn't make it wrong. Where it goes wrong is if you truely want a FREE RIDE. If I won, I would, 1st blow my church away with this Sunday's offering. I would then be in a position to help spread the word with Bibles, helping missions and many other things I can't now, at least not on the same scale.

If I won, I wouldn't use it for a "free ride" I would use it to spread the word.

I believe spending money on Lotto tickets is the same as any other betting, no matter that the game.

I believe that if you start to over spend your means, where it, as I stated above, "becomes" part of your life, then it becomes wrong.

I also believe that it's a person's choice, and they are no better or worse for either playing or not.


Jamie



From Answers.com:

gam·ble (găm'bəl)

v., -bled, -bling, -bles. v.intr.

1. 1. To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest.
   2. To play a game of chance for stakes.
2. To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit.
3. To engage in reckless or hazardous behavior: You are gambling with your health by continuing to smoke.

v.tr.

1. To put up as a stake in gambling; wager.
2. To expose to hazard; risk: gambled their lives in a dangerous rescue mission.

n.

1. A bet, wager, or other gambling venture.
2. An act or undertaking of uncertain outcome; a risk: I took a gamble that stock prices would rise.

 

[LeBuick]

! Guess what my sermon was the following Sunday....just kidding, but I was tempted..:saint:

Cheers,

Jim

Good thing the Lord gives us a verse for every scenario;

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. :thumbs: :laugh:

 

[JamieinNH]

Do you think buying stocks is gambling?

I think buying stocks is gambling.. We don't see it that way, because we have these notions or mindsets of what gambling is. But buying a stock isn't a sure thing, you could lose your money, and therefore it's a gamble.


Buying stocks is gambling. See the other post and the second part of the definition.


Jamie

 

[LeBuick]

I think buying stocks is gambling.. We don't see it that way, because we have these notions or mindsets of what gambling is. But buying a stock isn't a sure thing, you could lose your money, and therefore it's a gamble.


Jamie

This means going outside in my neighborhood is gambling. Better yet, the guy on the demascus road was a gambler cause he sure lost that day.