Replies

I've always felt gambling in general violated the tenth commandment against coveting. Generally, our motivation in gambling is to get something for nothing, something for which we did not work, which is coveting. This is so common today, it is not even remarked upon.

My wife, who is also a Christian, says she buys lottery tickets not for the prize, but for the entertainment value of dreaming about the prize. Similarily, I see no problem in playing penny ante poker, which I consider entertainment, since the money is nomimal.

Christians will differ, but ultimately each of us is responsible to God about how we use the money He has given us.

As far as refusing to accept tithe money from lottery winnings, I think that is foolish and contrary to Jesus example!!! What am I talking about? The "principle" behind such a view is that by accepting the money we accept the practice of lotteries. I disagree with that "principle" and so did Jesus. The example I have in mind is when Jesus accepted a year's worth of spikenard anointing on his head and feet --from a prostitute. Yes, our Lord and Savior accepted the offering from a year's earnings of a prostitute.

So why is accepting a tithe from a lottery winner "worse" than that?