Does God Pick Lottery Winners?

AP | Dec.26,2002 | self

[DB]

How much difference really is there between drinking alcohol, like wine, and gambling?

They both carry risks to some. They both provide enjoyment to some.

Both have destroyed lives and neither is a necessity.

I doubt either is a sin as long as they are done moderately.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Most likely a repentent prostitute

Yes, but a recent repentance. She still had the reputation, since Simon condemned her and Jesus in his heart. Her for being immoral, and Jesus for accepting her annointing.

My point still holds, that the money for the oil came from her career as a whore.

Jesus glorified her act of love, by saying it would be told wherever the gospel is preached. And so it has.

[DB]

A voluntary tax is always better than a mandatory tax…

[folklore]

Your first post was uncalled for. and makes no sense,not to offend you.

[folklore]

It is not voluntary when you are duped!!!

[Bella_Bru]

LMAO! Good one, Yehuda!

[muir_redwoods]

G-d has a universe to run. Random chance picks lottery numbers.

[folklore]

Are we not allowed to spell GOD?

[SamAdams76]

I think references to God in these kind of statements is knee-jerk. It's like when a tragedy strikes, such as the death of a baby, and people say silly things like "God must have wanted him/her a little early." Or, such as in the case when a forecasted hurricane misses, people are wont to say "God answered my prayers", disregarding the fact that the hurricane may have killed dozens of people further up the coast. (Guess those poor souls weren't praying hard enough.)

I don't pay any attention to those kind of statements. I don't think people mean harm by them but they sure do sound stupid, don't they?

[time4good]

I think there are two principles from the Bible at work here but I still don't know the full answer:
1. Whatsoever is not of Faith is sin. He exhibited much faith in his life today by still believing God for his sustenance whether or not he won. Myself included (in honesty,) if a percentage of others won, they might not have the same trust in God for their daily and future provisions but take for granted what's before them. THIS would turn a heart from God, which He doesn't want. This is the one a lot of people would have a problem with.
2. The Covet aspect of wanting what your neighbor has to the point of being dishonest about how you get it.
3. The thought, as a 'Golden Rule' of taking advantage or participating in a thing that others who are downright poor misdirect their dollars on the 'dream' of winning when they are going against the first two principals.

[time4good]

make that three principles.

[Arthur McGowan]

The popularity of state-run lotteries is proof that people will gladly give government money PROVIDED they feel they are getting something of value in return.

[NEWwoman]

LOL!

[Torie]

Cool. Do you think the government should start advertising the negative APR like loan companies do to avoid the appearance of fraud? If this isn't a suckers bet, I don't know what is. IT IS TIME FOR UNCLE TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF DEFRAUDING FOLKS. Truth in advertising would be a good start.

[Clinging Bitterly]

> It is close to being, dare I say it, EVIL.

Ditto that & everything else you said. Hereabouts, there are plenty of folks with gambling problems. I'll bet there is more kid's milk money (and entire paychecks) blown on video poker & megabucks or powerball than there is paid out in winnings.

Did I say I'll bet?
Well maybe I should have chosen another word.

I dunno, there are plenty of reasons that I rarely play government sponsored lottery games, and the least of them is that I don't get a real charge out of gambling. If I were a gambler, though, the odds are better at the Indian casinos and I think that's where I'd go.

Even the state games with more smaller prizes are a better bet than the lotto. Here in Oregon, the 50 cent pull tab games are the best. The top payout is $50.00 or $100.00, but you are more likely to win. They pay out an honest 50%, and the price is affordable like penny ante poker with the neighbors.

Everyone has their own threshold of guilt, I suppose, but I can do that without taking food out of the kids' mouths, so I don't think God has a problem with it.

Dave in Eugene

[carpio]

I am, by no means, a Bible expert

Me either.But I am pretty sure my God has a sense of humor and a joy for living.Good grief!! Just look at all the fun humorous stuff God created. Does it make sense to believe he didn't intend for us to have any frivolity in our lives?? I don't think so.

Buy a lottery ticket once in awhile if it is not taking food out of the babies mouth. Enjoy life responsibly and if you hit a PowerBall winner tithe like the guy from west Virginia. If your church refuses the money change Churches. God doesn't want you hanging around with nut cakes.

We have "Christian" neighbors so confused that they truly believe having a Christmas tree is evil. Trust me on this, I know in my heart that God wants us to be good not dried up and humorless. And he gave us the sense to know the difference.

[lawgirl]

the guy doesnt' have upper teeth. what more do you need to know.

[Eternal_Bear]

God lets people of all faiths and no faiths to win lotteries. Maybe we should show the same tolerance that God shows?