It is just like stocks or some types of retirement plans which all involves risks and shifting of money to possibly increase what you put in.
But it can be abused and addiction has entrapped many.
Is it OK if Christians Buy the Lotto?
- Thread starter MsMediator
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
But it can be abused and addiction has entrapped many.
You know how "low the bar is" when we wonder about whether gambling is sin! Gambling is a common example of not understanding what true wealth is and how it is obtained. May I share a quote?
""Money answers for everything," goes the old proverb, and avarice tells us we'd better make our lives about getting and keeping it. Now, that's what makes avarice a sin and a vice. It leads us to think our happiness and fulfillment lie in something other than God and loving community with others."
The issue here is Addiction. Anything in excess would be a problem for you or your family (if you have one).
Since gambling and drinking are addictive, then we assign a negative connotation to it, but if you buy a ticket once a year for New Year for fun like i do, there's nothing wrong with it.
Having too much sugar is also an addiction which can ruin your health down the line too.
So don't get trapped into any earthly addiction and you're good.
Just to add to your great thoughts...addictions are different for different people. One can have a weakness for alcohol, but not be susceptible to gambling. We should be aware of our weaknesses and guard against them.
No, these arguments that there is nothing wrong with buying a little lotto ticket once a year miss the big picture point!
If you play, you agree to potentially take the money of others who can ill afford to play (and some are addicted). We are NOT to tempt the weak or take from them. You win lotto money and you are taking from the weak (ie./ you are a stumbling block to them).
If you play, you agree to potentially take the money of others who can ill afford to play (and some are addicted). We are NOT to tempt the weak or take from them. You win lotto money and you are taking from the weak (ie./ you are a stumbling block to them).
In context,
Romans 14:20-22
English Standard Version
20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
In context, this is talking about the dietary practices of the Jews or the drunkenness of wine. Whereas Paul is now saying the objects themselves are now clean but we should watch ourselves in not causing sinful disputes over objects God has not made sinful in themselves.
If you use this passage alone you must in context say that the act of lotto in itself is clean and one should privately partake if one so desires as to not be a stumbling block to the weak.
If contributing is a stumbling block in itself then contributing to anything that is abused should be avoided. For example, the internet.
But one could debate if this passage could even be prescribed to the lotto in the first place or just the dietary/moral laws.
The only passage that comes to mind about gambling is in Acts 1 with the casting lots to choose the 12th apostle, which was a type of gamble.
We could get into being a good steward of what God gives us but that is difficult to argue as well.
Buy one lotto for a few dollars while a Christian may buy a $3 coffee every morning. I'm sure we all fail with being perfect stewards.
If you bend over backward to prove your point and twist facts, you do your cause more disservice than those who argue against it.
I mean... Personally I think playing the lotto is really stupid. But there's no reason to make up more reasons to not play it.
I don't play the lotto or gamble. I couldn't bend over backwards when I was young, let alone now. And not sure how you believe I twisted the facts.
The Bible doesn't directly address many matters. When it doesn't, we look to related scriptures for guidance. Even then, we may not have a full picture.
Further, we cannot see into the hearts of others. Regardless of what we think we might understand, we simply are unfit to know assuredly.
Thus, I follow how I believe God is leading me and allow others to do the same on matters of conscience.
Hmm... Not sure how your post got caught in there. I only intended to quote dave's post. Sorry bout that.
i think it's up to the individual person. some pastors say no. other say if you manage all your money in a Godly fashion always, & have some left over, go ahead & buy a few tickets. pastor adrian rogers was totally against it. romans 8:28 says, "AND WE KNOW ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD..........". when i hear the prize is super big, i play.
What about applying 1 Corinthians 10:23? .
Yes exactly! I figure the debate is probably within what is constructive, what is not, and what is just plain sinful.
Moral, amoral, or immoral
Anything that controls us rather than God is sinful as well.
I was harmed, same with many others. How can you say, no harm was done?
My toe is purple right now, it's probably broken. I find your statement insensitive to those who have been harmed.