Is it wrong to play the lottery

[Help-me-learn]

I buy a scratch off every now and then. I don't feel guilty, but is it wrong?

I would like to be rich, but I want Gods will first.

I guess I play to see if God wants me rich yet. lol

[Jenna]

Aw, I don't think that there is anything wrong with that. Now, should you cross the line of neglecting your responsibilities and squandering what wealth God HAS given you to aquire more (yucky greed), then I think that it is a terrible waste of God's gifts. :)

[LightBearer]

Originally posted by Help-me-learn
I buy a scratch off every now and then. I don't feel guilty, but is it wrong?

I would like to be rich, but I want Gods will first.

I guess I play to see if God wants me rich yet. lol

Here’s the danger and the slippery slope.

Doing the lottery is basically Gambling. The Bible warns against it because it appeals to mans greed.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 ”However, those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.”

Any first step (Scratch Cards) onto this slippery slope is scripturally not recommended.

Help me learn, a little friendly advice, if any course could put your life in danger, don’t even go there.

[Art Vandalay]

I don't think it's quite the same as maxing out your credit card and not being able to pay it off for a long while. The money that goes to interest is like flushing money down the toilet let alone you're being irresponsible if you max your credit card out in the first place.
I don't see the harm in taking $20.00 if it's extra money for entertainment and having a little fun at the casino or slot machines if you happen to visit Vegas on vacation or something. What is a problem is when these things become addictions. It can be like a drug, so in that sense I would beware.

[eldermike]

"If you could gamble and not be affected by it" is a single facet of the issue. If someone was following your example and could not handle it, then you have led your brother into sin.
Years ago many Christians smoked, I was one of them. Over time, as people quit or died, I found myself alone in the old smoking area. One day a young man came over and lit up and said hello to me. I looked at him, at my cigarette, threw it away and never smoked another one.

It's not about us.

[ZiSunka]

I take a buck and buy a soda pop. It's empty calories. It's pretty much the same thing.

If you are doing it for simple amusement, it's probably just as harmless as buying a pop. If you are truly doing it to get rich, it might be a bigger problem. You gotta ask yourself, "Am I trying to usurp God's soverence by looking to the lottery to give me what God hasn't given me?" If the answer is "yes," you need to rethink it. Otherwise, it is probably harmless.

[Caedmon]

Hey, kids go and spend 5$ at the arcade on Saturdays. Nobody goes hungry and no harm's done. It's for entertainment. Sin only occurs if paying for it produces financial hardship.

[markd]

Maybe your asking the wrong question?

Your odds at winning the lottery are ridiculously low.

In other words you are a not a proper steward of the money.

It is like watching television and not protecting your heart. If faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God. Then it is safe to assume that if  your not hearing the word of God the effect on your life will be negative.

Television like the Lottery is well....bad focus.

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by markd
Maybe your asking the wrong question?

Your odds at winning the lottery are ridiculously low.

In other words you are a not a proper steward of the money.

It is like watching television and not protecting your heart. If faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God. Then it is safe to assume that if  your not hearing the word of God the effect on your life will be negative.

Television like the Lottery is well....bad focus.

A lotto ticket is not that much different a form of entertainment than an arcade pinball game. You get excited, you get to dream a little, you get to watch those little balls pop up... and when you buy a lotto ticket, you know you're probably not going to win, so it's just something fun to do. But hey, if you do happen to win, think of the tithe potential!!! lol! :D

[JohnR7]

It cost about $36,000 a year to attend a private university. State universitys cost about $6,000 a year here in Ohio. It is the lottery that provides the money for collage students here.

[Mother Vashti]

So does the lottery become a good thing if it's going to a cause?

[settergren]

Originally posted by Art Vandalay

I don't see the harm in taking $20.00 if it's extra money for entertainment and having a little fun at the casino or slot machines if you happen to visit Vegas on vacation or something. What is a problem is when these things become addictions. It can be like a drug, so in that sense I would beware.

 

The addiction is bad yes, however, even without addiction it is just as bad. It's like saying "I have premarital sex every other few months so it's excusable." As Christians we should have higher standars than the world. Paul tells us in the 12th chapter of Romans to be renewed by the transforming of our minds. We can't be like the world. Throwing money away at Vegas is imitating the world. That's a no-no, addicted or not.

[Rafael]

Each person has to judge for themselves what is right and wrong and what they want to be held accountable for when judged according to the things they've done in this life. The Bible is quite sober about how we spend our lives and our money and it is best to let ones heart be their guide if it is one after God's.

Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself, and he who gives to the rich will surely come to want.

Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Each foolish expenditure is weighed in the balance, and one is held accountable. "Did you feed me when I was hungry or give me clothes when I was naked?", are the words of Jesus when He returns and I would hate to explain why I wasted more money on the things and frivolous pleasures of the world than I did on feeding Him and clothing Him.

MATT. 25:31-45 When the Son of Man comes in his glory....He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.....Then he will say to those on his left,'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil & his angels. FOR I WAS HUNGRY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO EAT, I WAS THIRSTY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER & YOU DID NOT INVITE ME IN, I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON, AND YOU DID-- NOT LOOK AFTER ME.". "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

[ikester7579]

Well one thing you have to remember. God owns everything. Knowing this do you feel it's ok to spend it like that knowing he has blessed you with everything you own? Some people use education as an excuse to others here on earth. On judgement day I don't think it will fly. Besides if this was what God wanted you to do for a living you should be earning a living off your winnings. Are you? Remember the three servants that were given money and what each one did? Remember how they were treated for what they did? Remember the only time Jesus ever got angry and why? So do you think it's still ok?
Here's a test. Would you go in front of your church and ask: I'm going to the corner store to buy some lotto tickets any body want some also? If that made you feel uneasy imagine how uneasy it will feel in front of God. We will have to account for everything.

[Terri]

Hi Help-me-learn  :wave:

Gambling would be covered under this verse for me.

1CO 10:23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

I try to only do things that are beneficial.  I knew someone that killed himself after becoming addicted to gambling. I don't gamble (not even scratch off) because to me that would be supporting something that ruins people's lives.

[sbbqb7n16]

If you have more faith in the lottery than you do in God... yes it is.

However if you believe that God wants you to buy the ticket and win some extra money to HIS glory, sure! Why not?

After all... Peter beat the odds at fishing when he found a 4-drachma coin in the fishes mouth. Jesus told him to go out and fish right? Most fish in the sea don't have that... I'd say that Peter "beat the odds" lol :D :clap: :D