I was having dinner with a friend the other night and we were planning our futures post lottery winning. I don’t think either of us had actually purchased a ticket yet, but still we were dreaming.
She was going to buy a restaurant and use it as a way to minister to others. I was going to hire a personal chef so my grandma would never have to cook again. We enjoyed dreaming together. $1.573 billion could make a lot of dreams come true.
It’s rare that I buy a lottery ticket. Usually when I take a road trip I’ll grab a scratch-off wherever I stop to get gas. I’m too frugal and can think of other things I can do with that $1 or $2. But after finding two freshly washed dollar bills in the dryer and thinking about my recent dreaming session with my friend, I stopped by the convenience store on my way to Bible study no less and said, “I’ll take a Mega Million and join the rest of the world wasting their money.” Sure enough, I wasted my money, but I’m waiting for them to reveal the winner in South Carolina because I’m sure she’s my long lost cousin twice removed.
Did I commit a sin?
That depends on who you ask. Curious to know the thoughts of others, I went to Facebook and asked the question: Discussion time. Is playing the lottery a sin? Why or why not? I received some great feedback, with various opinions.
Some answered that it wasn’t a sin, but they found other things to spend their money on. Others said it was a sin because gambling is a sin. Others said they imagine the good they could do if they won the lottery. One commenter was taught playing the lottery, Bingo, or even dancing was a sin.
Growing up, I was taught yes, because its gambling. Same with Bingo. But Dancing was a sin too. I think culture has loosened those opinions some, but does that make it better? Probably not. Do I still participate? Yes.
It’s earthly legalized gambling. I have always felt guilty anytime I bought a ticket. Because immediately I get to thinking about things I would buy with it. And would I really use it for the good of God’s kingdom. So I don’t play it
I love to play but it is not putting your trust in God to provide.
I think it’s like drinking a glass of wine. if you become an alcoholic and wine becomes a main focus and your god that you worship and need everyday, then I believe it becomes a sin. However, is drinking a glass of wine a sin, no I don’t believe so. So the same would be true for playing the lottery. every week are you waiting to buy your next ticket, praying and hoping you win, becoming obsessed with what happens if you win……then I believe that someone has stepped into a world of placing the lottery as a god before you. but to occassionally buy a ticket or give a ticket at a gift…no I don’t think thats a sin.
Playing the lottery is no different than playing the stock market. It’s just like most other things and, if not checked, could lead to greed and false hope without God.
Although the Bible does not discuss gambling in detail, we can discern from Bible principles why (I think ) it could be.Just something to think about.—Ephesians 5:17. Gambling is driven by greed, which God hates. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Ephesians 5:3, 5) Gamblers hope to gain money through the losses of others, but the Bible condemns coveting other people’s possessions.—Exodus 20:17; Romans 7:7; 13:9, 10. Gambling, even for small amounts, can arouse a destructive love of money.—1 Timothy 6:9, 10. Gamblers often rely on superstitions or luck. However, God views such beliefs as a form of idolatry, which is incompatible with his worship.—Isaiah 65:11. Rather than promote a desire to get something for nothing, the Bible encourages hard work. (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ephesians 4:28) Those who follow the Bible’s advice can “eat food they themselves earn.”—2 Thessalonians 3:10, 12. Gambling can arouse an unhealthy competitive spirit, which is disapproved in the Bible.—Galatians 5:26.
It depends…is it something I manage, or does the desire manage me?
My thought leads more in this direction – Why would it be a sin? Just don’t think God is that trite.
Do we believe something because we’ve been taught by man or taught by Scripture?
Some answers were backed up with Scripture, with some great reasoning as to why they shared those specific verses. Still nothing pointed to it being a sin. Other answers were simply given without the why of their belief.
And that’s where the question comes in for me.. Are we believing something because it’s been taught to us, or because it’s what we really know?
I’m basing this on my own thoughts and this in no way represents anyone else’s opinion, but I can’t see in the Scriptures where just choosing to buy a lottery ticket is a sin. I see nowhere in Scripture where gambling is a sin.
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As some of my fellow commenters shared, I believe it goes back to the heart. Why did I decide to stop and buy a lottery ticket? Because it would be nice to win. I could do many great things with that money.
Was I controlled by the desire to win? No. I knew it was a long shot, but eh… why not? Could I have done something different with those $2? Probably so. Do I feel guilty? Not one bit. Here’s why….
We must know our hearts.
I have no doubts that I am a good steward with what God gives me. There was a time in my life I couldn’t say that. I give with a grateful heart. I pay my bills. I make responsible choices, except when it comes to buying books perhaps. I probably need an Amazon intervention, but I guess that’s another blog post for another day.
Seriously though… I know my heart. We must all know our hearts, because that’s what God is looking at.
Are you buying lottery tickets each week, yet you’re in debt up to your eyeballs? I would suggest checking in with God on that.
Are you sitting at the casino all hours of the night because you can’t break away from the machine? Perhaps it’s time to check in with God on where your heart is.
Did you just have to borrow gas money to get back and forth to work, yet you grabbed a couple tickets along the way, hoping you’ll get your big break? Maybe it’s time to check your heart.
I in no way say those things to judge. We all got our issues. I say it with sincerity, because I want us to make decision based on our relationship with Christ, not the rules and regulations others give us. I think it happens far too often and it opens a dangerous door to legalism.
I didn’t win, obviously. My friend isn’t buying her restaurant, yet. I’m not getting my grandma a personal chef, yet. But it was a nice dream while it lasted, and I would bet it won’t be the last time we sit and dream together about the possibilities.
Until then… here’s sticking to our day jobs.
Do you have thoughts to add to this conversation? I’d love to hear. Feel free to share below.