Powerball Winner??

[CWJ]

Interesting, nevaehinvesting, I just looked at Romans ch. 14.

Basically the brotherhood here is the brotherhood of man in general. Starting in verse 4.

We are not to judge salvation.

Other scriptures show we are to judge the fruit of fellow born-again saints.

Romans14:13..."Let us not therefore judge one another anymore:  but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brothers's way."

So...we are not to participate in promoting harm to another as a saint of God.  Would you agree with this interpretation of the above verse?

I personally have seen the lottery (scratch off)  harm a whole family, they were personal friends.  I mentioned this in an earlier post.

If we are participating in the lottery, are we "pitching in " on something that to others, in their weakness, brings calamity?

Romans14:16..."Let not your good be spoken evil of."

So how does someone not saved, who sees the angle I presented, think of a saint who is "pitching in " on the lottery?

This command tells us our moral direction.

Romans14:19..."Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."

So I ask, is there a situation where it is sin for one and not another?  Let's see.

We are not to judge someone's salvation by any sin they may commit in front of us...

Romans14:3...'Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not;  and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth:  for God hath received him."

Maybe in their spiritual immaturity they have not realized something is a sin yet.

James 4:17.."Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

So, a more spiritualy mature christian has a duty to sound the alarm when there is sin going on, so the less mature may now know to do good.

Titus1:13..."This witness is true.  Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;...(14)...Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth."

I guess the correct answer is that God sees all sin as sin, and to the ignorant it's not counted to him, until he knows better.

I have more study going on right now that I will present later.

Blessings to all, Carl

[nevaehinvesting]

True, true, lottey tickets may be a stumbling block for someone.

[CWJ]

My question on this subject is "does God see it as a sin?"

nevaehinvesting, you say you see it as no sin to buy a ticket, so then to receive the winnings, I assume you would not consider this a sin either.

Why would you even buy a ticket, for entertainment?

OR......to get all that money!

I would say 100% who do it, are doing it for ALL THAT MONEY!

Does some of that money in the "pot" come from those who have neglected family grocery $ to "play"?  Is this then a "stumblingblock" to them?

Has that gain from the winning come from a "stumblingblock"?

So it was removed from them to your pocket.  Just trying to view the reality of what is going on with gambling/lottery.

Now, I believe the motive for playing is also covetting anothers money, because that's where the winnings come from.

Read Exodus20:17...."Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house...."

The excess amounts of money involve a motivation of greed.

Prov.1:19..."So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain;  which taketh away the life of the owners."

15:27..."He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live."

A verse to keep in mind here:  Prov22:1..."A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."

Let's look at this angle....1Cor 16:1-2..."Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye."...(2).."Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, AS GOD HAS PROSPERED HIM, that there be no gatherings when I come."

The christian powerball winner who is "tithing" his winnings, is he following scripture?  Did GOD prosper him with those winnings?

Would God prosper one out of the "stumblingblock" of another?

We all know that people are playing that CANNOT afford to do so.  Is that a form of exploiting the poor?

Amos5:11...."Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat...."

I think God sees this gambling/lottery as a sinful enterprise.  I believe His Word teaches us such upon carefull study of His precepts.

It is the duty of the saint who learns this to tell other saints of this sinful activity.

Can anyone show me, with scriptures, why God would not view it as a sin?

Blessings ...Carl

[nevaehinvesting]

I understand the scriptures you posted but do not draw the same conclusions as you.

[CWJ]

Ok, just like the "beam in your eye" compared to the splinter in another's eye.

In both cases there is a problem.  In other words, sin is present.  Actually that is talking about judging another.

I am trying to define gambling/lottery in God's eyes, not here to pass judgement.

I believe God's Word has defined it as sin.

Everyone can see the downside of the lottery.  This is NOT a necessary activity.  

What about the motives for playing the lottery?  Does anyone think God approves of that?

nevaehinvesting, I think the other activities you used as examples are not really rellevant in motive as to compare it to the gambling/lottery issue.

I do not watch sports, get on the internet, play video games, with a motive of coveteousness or greed.

This issue of the lottery CAN be isolated by this precept.(greed,covet)

Answer this....WHY play it?  Can you truthfully say for any other motive besides greed and covetting?

Is this a Godly endeavor?  Would He approve?

The question here is not do we think should we quit participating in any activity that someone derives harm in some way from; but, as a born-again saint, is playing the lottery/gambling going to gain God's approval?  How does he view it?

Should I stop driving on the highway?  People get killed by the thousands doing it!  With this line of logic we could go on and on......

Interpretation is true if only obtained from the WHOLE council of the Lord.  Line upon line, precept upon precept.  The simple and plain used to interpret the not so simple.  The borders of the straight and narrow begin with the plain and simple scriptures. We build upon those with other scriptures to build up our foundation in Him.

Sure, the word "lottery" is not named out in scripture; but, the

character of the activity is spoken against by the Lord.  By thoroughly studying God's moral precepts, His "whole" council on such, we can conclude that the nature of the lottery/gambling is a sin.

Not to brag at all, but, before I studied this I believe the Holy Spirit was already teaching me this.  In the flesh I'll admit the lure of that BIG payoff is tempting.

And this conversation with you nevaehinvesting is helping me see some things!

God Bless, Carl

[nevaehinvesting]

I do not watch sports, get on the internet, play video games, with a motive of coveteousness or greed.

This issue of the lottery CAN be isolated by this precept.(greed,covet)

Answer this....WHY play it?

[Work in Progress]

Why would you even buy a ticket, for entertainment?

OR......to get all that money!

I would say 100% who do it, are doing it for ALL THAT MONEY!

That is not true. You don't win "ALL THAT MONEY" on a dollar scratch off ticket. You might win a free ticket. Or two bucks. Or ten. Some people enjoy (for entertainment purposes) picking up a ticket like that once in a while, fully aware that they aren't going to get rich.

Some people purchase a month-long calendar ticket from a student, or a sports player to help the cause. The top prize would be around fifty bucks if they win. Maybe a little more if the number comes up on a holiday.

Nevaehinvesting, you are the voice of reason on this thread and it is refreshing. God Bless.

[CWJ]

wow....I guess they should start advertising the lottery as an "investment".

WIP, I just didn't realize just throwing away a $ on a scratch ticket was entertainment in of itself.  I could have sworn, somwhere deep in a person's mind, they hoped they could win.  And maybe BIGTIME!

And comparing this issue to a school fund raiser...well...just not apples to apples. How can you say it is?

An investment is usually a sound business decision made with the hope of a profit or income from a sound business endeavor.

I would compare the lottery more to pyramid scheme.

Why don't they just start selling stocks and bonds in the corner quickie right along with the lottery?

In my previous post I have shown scriptures which address the character of the lottery/gambling issue.

This character is blatant and known by all, saints or not.

So far noone has shown me any "reasoning" by way of the scriptures to promote this lottery.

That's what counts....is God's viewpoint...which I believe I have shown with a study of His Word.

I would like to see scriptures , if any, that would promote an oposite view than I have obtained from them.

Blessings, Carl  

[Work in Progress]

WIP, I just didn't realize just throwing away a $ on a scratch ticket was entertainment in of itself.

[Lanakila]

I don't buy lottery tickets, because I personally think that they are a waste of money. Our family wastes money everyday by paying for cable when there is nothing on tv worth watching, but no one is condemning cable tv here. The Bible does not spell out every sin, but instead teaches principles that we must apply individually to our own lives.

The command to not judge your brother or sister is the main one that applies to this issue imho. Yes there are grey areas, because God didn't spell out every sin, so we must be slow to speak and apt to teach. In other words, where the Bible is silent we should be too.