Powerball Winner??

[CWJ]

I just read about the big winner in the over 300 million lottery.

He says he will "tithe" part of it to his church.

What do you say to a born again believer playing the lottery?

What does God say?

Please try to keep this to the questions at hand.

[nevaehinvesting]

I don't see anything biblically wrong with him buying lottery tickets.

[abbershay]

can you believe a millionaire won it.. hahahhahahah    

[CWJ]

Yeah, that's funny a millionaire wins it!

Can anybody give me what the scriptures say, what does God think of such??

[nevaehinvesting]

I can't think of any scriptures that define this situation as wrong.

[Adstar]

Hello All

Ok lets dwell on the lottery system. Think of all the staff who earn their salaries from the money people pay buying tickets. The advertising agencies contracted to spend millions to advertise it all,  then there is the millions/ billions ( if you put all the different lotteries together) in taxes they take out for Governments.

Now so from the very start there is a loss. They can never pay out as much as they get from the punters. and what do all the people above produce for their labors??? Are they doing something truly worthwhile for the betterment of mankind or are they just handling other people

[CWJ]

OK,  I think there is a scripture that would particullarly apply to the lottery, I'm searching now.

On a more personal experience I'll say this.  We have a personal friend who got "hooked" on scratch-off tickets.

She got caught embezzling from her company to the tune of over $40,000 in a years time.  This was to play scratch-off.

Gambling is gambling, and an addictive and harmful one.

Also adstar in response to your post I think there is a scripture for your viewpoint too.

Back in awhile....Carl...OSAS

[Guest FishMan]

My opinion?

"He who is without sin cast the first stone."

I saw a statistic yesterday where 80% of pastors in the US admit to having had an affair and some are more concerned about a man buying a lottery ticket?

I heard my local Christian radio station bashing this guy this morning too. It saddens me that some would rather condemn the man for buying a lottery ticket than rejoice that someone won who is willing to give a tenth to the Lord! I saw the guy on CNN this morning and the man made reference on the air to God, proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ! Christians should rejoice over that rather than condemn him for doing something we all have done before anyway. I know I have bought a lottery ticket before! Anyone else care to confess with me?

FishMan

[CWJ]

fishman....I definitely don't want to come across as self righteous!

Yes I have bought them before.  A long time ago.

A sin is a sin. No matter what it is .

I'm just questioning what is God's viewpoint on this. I'm not here addressing other sins.

Do you think gambling is or isn't a sin?

About all those pastors you mentioned....that's another discussion post altogether.

In this day of christianity that yells legalism at every comment on obedience from the instruction of scripture, I feel it's all the more important to call out sinful activities!

So now I guess all the ways of the world are OK to follow?  Isn't that what is implied with this on the national news??

Boy, I could really get going here, but I want to keep this strictly to a scriptural answer to this lottery situation.

I guess I shouldn't have asked for opinions, cause God's Word rules the day in a true born again believers life!

Still searching for the answer I want.........

Blessings...Carl OSAS  

[WISDOM]

There is nothing in Scripture that speaks against gambling, unless we as Christians make it say what we want it to mean.  There is always a danger of taking scripture out of context.

First, I don't remember reading/hearing the gentleman who won in West Virginia say he was a millionaire.  He said he owns a couple of businesses.  Second, he took the lump sum, which after taxes amounts to approx $113 million.  Third, he said he was giving 17 million to three different churches as a tithe to do with as they deem fit.

PS:  He also spoke about purchasing another business, which he isn't  going to make a profit off of, but he will be able to rehire 25 people he had to lay off to work it.  His wife also said she now could take a trip to Israel, which is what she's always wanted to do.

Don't miss the big picture by just looking at the little snapshot.