Playing the Lottery and Christianity...

[dreamgurl]

There is a pastor who said he plays the lottery and also stated that if he were to hit, he would give it to the church, which happens to be struggling. I know this man has used a great deal of his own money to keep the church up and running, but I just never heard of a pastor admit to playing the lottery. In the state he lives in, the money helps with education and so he doesn't feel as though it is a waste (gambling). He says he only plays about $2 - $5 tickets about once a week or every two weeks, and the same money, if not being used to buy a ticket would be for something he really didn't need anyway. Does that justify playing the lottery?

So what do you ladies think about this scenario?

 

[Poohbear]

Does that justify playing the lottery? No. He is using a worldly way of obtaining money. If he is a man of God, he should trust God to bless him financially.

 

[Blossssom]

Does that justify playing the lottery? No. He is using a worldly way of obtaining money. If he is a man of God, he should trust God to bless him financially.

Funny, I was going to respond to this earlier, but wasn't quite sure how to put it after I had a "brainstorm".

I would say yes, gambling is a sin. It's gambling when you invest money into an operation with the hopes of gaining more. Okay, sounds simple enough of an explanation but what about real estate?

People buy real estate as an investment, hoping the value of the property will go up, right? That means more money for them. Is that gambling?

Now I'm all confused

 

[Poohbear]

Funny, I was going to respond to this earlier, but wasn't quite sure how to put it after I had a "brainstorm".

I would say yes, gambling is a sin. It's gambling when you invest money into an operation with the hopes of gaining more. Okay, sounds simple enough of an explanation but what about real estate?

People buy real estate as an investment, hoping the value of the property will go up, right? That means more money for them. Is that gambling?

Now I'm all confused

Yeah, I've been confused about that too! And I'm someone that is interested in investing in real estate!

I remember discussing with my dad (who is a pastor) about whether investing in stocks of companies was gambling. He has shares of stock with Kroger Co. and you how the stock market goes up and down. He's always gets upset when Kroger stock goes down. Since the last time I talked to him about this (which was a few years ago), he didn't see anything wrong with it...

But when you gamble, you are risking the money that God has blessed you with. Right? Maybe all types of investing is gambling which is a sin.

:scratchch Hmmm, I gotta study my bible on this!

 

[star]

I have to agree with Poobear that God uses our talents and His power to bring us wealth. There have been one case I heard on TV that a member of Church won and gave a large sum to charities and his Church. I still don't think this is how God works especailly with a Pastor who is in leadership. People follow leadership and now the Church my go out and do the same. I rather see him saw those seeds in Christian cause and allow God to bring the harvest. God works with sowing and reaping. But you must sow into good soil.

 

[AnnDriena_]

Investing is investing in something. Gambling is looking to win money. That's how I look at it.

 

[Ayeshia]

hmmmm and they host bingo games in the basement......

 

[TigerLily]

Well...not all churches have bingo.

I don't think he should be gamblin'. Investing in property is altogher different. Casinos were made for the purpose of cheating you out of your money! Sure you might win here and there, but look how much money they make off of you before you win $50!?!?!?!!

I just don't see the point of it.

 

[sbg4evr]

Playing the lottery is technically gambling. Playing $5 weekly is not necessarily harmful but where do you draw the line between a harmless game of chance and addiction to gambling? Gambling is a serious temptation.

I personally do not think it wise of your Pastor to gamble for the church. He should invest the money wisely for use in the church.

I found that T.D. Jakes's book The Great Investment--Balancing Faith, Family and Finance to Build a Rich Spiritual Life is a excellent book that explains how the three Fs are a sort of Trinity to live by.

 

[Blossssom]

Yeah, I've been confused about that too! And I'm someone that is interested in investing in real estate!

I remember discussing with my dad (who is a pastor) about whether investing in stocks of companies was gambling. He has shares of stock with Kroger Co. and you how the stock market goes up and down. He's always gets upset when Kroger stock goes down. Since the last time I talked to him about this (which was a few years ago), he didn't see anything wrong with it...

But when you gamble, you are risking the money that God has blessed you with. Right? Maybe all types of investing is gambling which is a sin.

:scratchch Hmmm, I gotta study my bible on this!

I'm the same way, Pooh. I have a girlfriend who is VERY religious (Christian) and she opposes all forms of gambling.

I think when most people think of gambling, they think of a casino; card game; slot machines; dice; etc., but if we REALLY think about it, the stock market TOO is a form of gambling.

So anyway, me and this girlfriend were discussing gambling and I asked her if her husband has a 401(k) at his job and she said yes. Well, isn't THAT gambling? She was stooped and said she was going to have him get out of the retirement plan.

They didn't, though...

Unfortunately, and I can't ask my dad who too is a minister about whether stock marketing/real estate would be considered gambling because he goes to the casino

 

[Blossssom]

Well...not all churches have bingo.

I don't think he should be gamblin'. Investing in property is altogher different. Casinos were made for the purpose of cheating you out of your money! Sure you might win here and there, but look how much money they make off of you before you win $50!?!?!?!!

I just don't see the point of it.

That's what I would like to think, too, but I'm having quite a time figuring out how investing in real estate and investing at the casino is different.

Maybe it's the environment. It's so OBVIOUS at the casino that you are trying to win more than you put in. I don't know...

I'm just grateful gambling is not one of my vices. It has destroyed so many lives. Sometimes I thing gambling is worse than cocaine and alchi.

 

[Poohbear]

Investing is investing in something. Gambling is looking to win money. That's how I look at it.

Gambling is investing in something too...in your money. When you invest in stock/real estate/ etc. you are looking to make more money than you invest right? And whether it's in a casino or with the stock market, you have a chance of winning more money or losing more money than you invest.

 

[Blossssom]

Gambling is investing in something too...in your money. When you invest in stock/real estate/ etc. you are looking to make more money than you invest right? And whether it's in a casino or with the stock market, you have a chance of winning more money or losing more money than you invest.

So I guess there really isn't any difference, huh? That's what I was afraid of...

 

[Sweet C]

I look at gambling as an opportunity to win money. Investing in real estate is all together different. For example, if I were to invest in real estate, no matter if the value of the property goes up or down, it is still valuable. With gambling, it is not based on investing, it is based purely on the luck of the draw. For everyone that wins, a lot of people must loose. Also, gambling can become extremely addictive (hey, why do u think u have hotels spending over 1 billion dollars to impress you to gamble in cities like Vegas). For example, my dad use to play about 3 dollars in the lottery everyday since I was born (not including those little scratch tickets and trips to Vegas slots). I'm 22, so my dad since I was born has played at least 24,000 in the local lottery. At most in total he has won about 1,000. So he in essence has wasted 23,000 of his money. If he had put that money into a Roth IRA, by the time I retired, I would be a millionare (that is investing).

In Matthew 25:14-30, discusses the parable of the talent, and in this parable the servant was scolded for wasting the master's money. He didn't gamble it, but he did nothing with it (i.e. too afraid to use it). The master commented on how he could have at least left his money with the bankers so that it could gain interest (hmm..this shows that investing in things like stock market, CDs, IRAs, etc. were considered worthy investments). So if Jesus mentioned this parable in teaching us to be good stewards with our resources, and the very least we could do is have a savings account, then how does gambling relate here? Sure if you are investing in the stock market, you have a chance of losing some money, but I guarantee you that chance is WAY WAY WAY less than gambling. Also, if you lose in the market, you at least have something to work with. In gambling, once that money is gone, its gone. You don't have a stock, bond, nothing to show for it.

 

[JenJen2721]

So I guess there really isn't any difference, huh? That's what I was afraid of...

There is a difference to me...one is a quick fix in hopes of hitting it big. (Gambling)...one is a long term, well thought out, plan for future financial stability (investing)...one is being a good steward over money and one is not.

 

[Blossssom]

There is a difference to me...one is a quick fix in hopes of hitting it big. (Gambling)...one is a long term, well thought out, plan for future financial stability (investing)...one is being a good steward over money and one is not.

I'll have to go with this one, too, Jen... I just CAN'T look at real estate and mutual funds the same as going to a casino.

I also agree with the poster's comments before yours, the comments I read. I didn't read the WHOLE thing yet, but I will later and examine it.

Playing the lottery; slot machines; and card rooms can't be the equivalent of investing in property or saving for your retirement through 401(k). If it is, we're all going to hell. Heehee

 

[Poohbear]

So I guess there really isn't any difference, huh? That's what I was afraid of...

Well the only difference is that lottery or casino is looking for a quick, fast way to get a gain and the stock market or real estate is more like long-term. Whether it takes a short or long time to get the gain or loss, I think it all may be still considered gambling.

 

[stcsweet]

Hmmm...this is an interesting topic.

I saw an article on this and it was talking about the extremes of what gambling can lead to (e.g., stealing if it turns into a compusive habit). The baseline was discussion on addictive behaviors that can stem from casual gambling.

Anything in excess is not good for you and can have you focus on things other than what God would rather have you focus on.

I'm torn on what the real verdict is, though.

 

[tweezer6]

Here's an interesting article on this issue if anyone's interested.

http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1310331.html

 

[stcsweet]

Great article!

That helps to remove any confusion.

 

[Cinnabuns]

Investing is investing in something. Gambling is looking to win money. That's how I look at it.

Very well put, I believe that playing the lottery is considered wordly also.

 

[Poohbear]

Hey ladies! That gambling article was very helpful.

Here are some articles that talk about investing. Now, I see the difference in gambling and investing. I don't think anything is wrong with investing in stocks, bonds, etc.
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1272956.html
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1237314.html
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/559162.html
There were several more articles on investing, here are just a few. Hth!

 

[Integrity]

i think investing and gambling are different too. in the parable of the talents, the master expected the 'wicked' servant to have at least invested the money like the others....

investment, when well done and considered is actually very wise in God's eyes...

 

[Blossssom]

Hey ladies! That gambling article was very helpful.

Here are some articles that talk about investing. Now, I see the difference in gambling and investing. I don't think anything is wrong with investing in stocks, bonds, etc.
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1272956.html
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/1237314.html
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/finances/559162.html
There were several more articles on investing, here are just a few. Hth!

Thanks for posting those links, Poohbear. I did bookmark them

 

[Blossssom]

investment, when well done and considered is actually very wise in God's eyes...

It better be.... if it wasn't, even having a savings account would be against God. I don't think it's that serious.

 

[JuJuBoo]

I look at gambling as an opportunity to win money. Investing in real estate is all together different. For example, if I were to invest in real estate, no matter if the value of the property goes up or down, it is still valuable. With gambling, it is not based on investing, it is based purely on the luck of the draw. For everyone that wins, a lot of people must loose. Also, gambling can become extremely addictive (hey, why do u think u have hotels spending over 1 billion dollars to impress you to gamble in cities like Vegas). For example, my dad use to play about 3 dollars in the lottery everyday since I was born (not including those little scratch tickets and trips to Vegas slots). I'm 22, so my dad since I was born has played at least 24,000 in the local lottery. At most in total he has won about 1,000. So he in essence has wasted 23,000 of his money. If he had put that money into a Roth IRA, by the time I retired, I would be a millionare (that is investing).

In Matthew 25:14-30, discusses the parable of the talent, and in this parable the servant was scolded for wasting the master's money. He didn't gamble it, but he did nothing with it (i.e. too afraid to use it). The master commented on how he could have at least left his money with the bankers so that it could gain interest (hmm..this shows that investing in things like stock market, CDs, IRAs, etc. were considered worthy investments). So if Jesus mentioned this parable in teaching us to be good stewards with our resources, and the very least we could do is have a savings account, then how does gambling relate here? Sure if you are investing in the stock market, you have a chance of losing some money, but I guarantee you that chance is WAY WAY WAY less than gambling. Also, if you lose in the market, you at least have something to work with. In gambling, once that money is gone, its gone. You don't have a stock, bond, nothing to show for it.

Sweet, you betta preach. When I read the title of this thread, the first thing I thought of was the parable of the talents. Well said!