Practical living: What would you do?

[Laela]

I had a fascinating conversation yesterday with someone about this scenario:

A Christian comes across a lotto ticket on the ground. It's a fresh ticket with no holes, no markings, no tears, with the date of the day he found it on it, as if someone dropped it. But there was no one around for him to inquire. He went on to check the numbers later that day, during the drawing. To his surprise, all the numbers matched and he won $1 million! Which begs the questions:


Question 1- Did you believe he played the Lotto?

Question 2- What would you do with the winnings, or what do you think he should do with it?

 

[aribell]

Question 1--I suppose it could be said that he played the Lotto, though it can't be said that he invested any money in the Lotto. So, I wouldn't say that he was gambling.

Question 2--I think the money is his and it's his choice what to do with it. I think that choice would be influenced by his belief in Christ, but I don't see it as an automatic necessity that he get rid of the money or anything like that. I feel like it's the same as if someone found a valuable item or a lot of money. If the original owner just can't be found, it's yours.

 

[divya]

No, he didnt play the lotto. He just found the ticket.

What to do with the money...he should pray and ask God to direct him. It sounds kinda strange since its lottery money but our decisions in life should be led by the Lord.

 

[Shimmie]

I had a fascinating conversation yesterday with someone about this scenario:

A Christian comes across a lotto ticket on the ground. It's a fresh ticket with no holes, no markings, no tears, with the date of the day he found it on it, as if someone dropped it. But there was no one around for him to inquire. He went on to check the numbers later that day, during the drawing. To his surprise, all the numbers matched and he won $1 million! Which begs the questions:


Question 1- Did you believe he played the Lotto?

Question 2- What would you do with the winnings, or what do you think he should do with it?

Question 1: Do I believe he played the lotto?

This is what I find interesting. He kept the ticket (that he found)and checked later to see if it had won. Key Words here: "Kept" and "Checked".

To me, that's the same as playing. Think about it. He could have left it there for someone else to 'find' it.

And YES... I would have kept and checked it too.

So I guess that's my answer to Question #2.

Right now you have me thinking. :scratchch:

I see lottery tickets all the time on the ground and never think about it being a winner or a loser. I wonder now, if I've missed a 'winner'.

Geeesh...

Seriously, I don't know what I'd do. I see lotto tickets on the ground all the time when I'm walking to work from the trains. I just leave them right there on the ground and keep it moving.

One day, I was walking in the grass and saw a folded $20 bill on the ground. I left it there, thinking that whoever 'dropped' it would come back looking for it. As I kept walking, the Lord told me to go back and pick it up, as the person who dropped it would not be the one to retrieve it.

As I went back and picked it up, I began to pray for the person who lost it; that all of their needs would be met and that this would not be a life and death matter for them. I asked God to bless them beyond measure providing for them more than the $20 ever could.

Turns out, I find money all the time. I'm not kidding. And there's never anyone around for me to ask if they were the one who dropped it. So I pick it up and pray for the person(s) who lost it.

This may be the reason God allows me to find the money, because I feel so bad for the person who lost it and I pray for them to be taken care of.

Laela... why would a lotto ticket have 'holes' in it or markings? I understand tears, but I'm lost on the holes and markings part?

Don't mind me... You know I need 'Pictures' for err' thing.

BTW: Good thread topic ...

 

[Guitarhero]

For us, it's a morally neutral issue so it's not a question as to whether he's sinning gambling. I'd had kept it and checked the winner...would have kept the money as well. Why? Imagine trying to find the original owner of the ticket. What is meant to be is meant to be. Shrugs.

 

[Prudent1]

Question 1--I suppose it could be said that he played the Lotto, though it can't be said that he invested any money in the Lotto. So, I wouldn't say that he was gambling.

Question 2--I think the money is his and it's his choice what to do with it. I think that choice would be influenced by his belief in Christ, but I don't see it as an automatic necessity that he get rid of the money or anything like that. I feel like it's the same as if someone found a valuable item or a lot of money. If the original owner just can't be found, it's yours.

No, he didnt play the lotto. He just found the ticket.

What to do with the money...he should pray and ask God to direct him. It sounds kinda strange since its lottery money but our decisions in life should be led by the Lord.

Pretty much exactly what these two have said. I know that I would sow a considerable amount into the kingdom immediately out of habit but would def be praying for specific instruction on who to help long term as well.

 

[Shimmie]

Pretty much exactly what these two have said.

I know that I would sow a considerable amount into the kingdom immediately out of habit but would def be praying for specific instruction on who to help long term as well.

YES!!! That's the difference. And I'm inclined to say that this may be one of the manifestations of God's Word,

"The wealth of the sinner is laid in store for the Just."

I'm not saying that one should play the lotto/lottery, or whatever, what I am saying is that God has often taken the wealth of the 'world' and given it unto His children, by whatever means.

When the children of Israel left Egypt, God told them to 'borrow' their jewels and gold (which was never to be returned); whenever there was a battle, often (not always, but often) He commanded His children to take the spoils (save for those which were contaminated with idolatry).

God is pulling out the 'stops'; He's had enough of the 'world' gaining what He has created and not giving Him honour for it. They'd rather thank the Universe, the lottery, other gods, than acknowledge Him for the blessings in their lives.

So by what you've shared Prudent1 choosing to ''give" unto the Kingdom of God and to help others...

...Girl, watch where you walk; because God's blessings are about to overtake you, pressed down, running over... beyond your understanding.

 

[Prudent1]

@Shimmie,
Hallelujah!! I receive that in the name of Jesus! God knows my heart- truly he does. I know my season for abundant living is near. When it comes, there will be no needy person or organization safe. Imma be just like God when he hid Moses in the cleft of the rock in Exodus 33. Moses didn't see him coming but he sho nuff knew when he had been through!! I like the principles exhibited in that Secret Millionare show on ABC too.

All to the glory of our God, Jesus.

 

[Shimmie]

@Shimmie,
Hallelujah!! I receive that in the name of Jesus! God knows my heart- truly he does. I know my season for abundant living is near. When it comes, there will be no needy person or organization safe. Imma be just like God when he hid Moses in the cleft of the rock in Exodus 33. Moses didn't see him coming but he sho nuff knew when he had been through!! I like the principles exhibited in that Secret Millionare show on ABC too.

All to the glory of our God, Jesus.

I'm your 'new bestest friend'.... Im'a walk where you walk.

 

[Prudent1]

^^^LOL!!

 

[foxee]

Question 1: Do I believe he played the lotto?
One day, I was walking in the grass and saw a folded $20 bill on the ground. I left it there, thinking that whoever 'dropped' it would come back looking for it. As I kept walking, the Lord told me to go back and pick it up, as the person who dropped it would not be the one to retrieve it.

As I went back and picked it up, I began to pray for the person who lost it; that all of their needs would be met and that this would not be a life and death matter for them. I asked God to bless them beyond measure providing for them more than the $20 ever could.

Turns out, I find money all the time. I'm not kidding. And there's never anyone around for me to ask if they were the one who dropped it. So I pick it up and pray for the person(s) who lost it.

Love it! I don't usually find money (well, except for the occasional coin here and there ) but it never occurred to me that I should pray for the person who lost it. I'll definitely keep this in mind.

 

[Laela]

Thanks ladies for the responses... my understanding of lotteries is you must "pay to play". I don't believe this is an "am I sinning?" scenario.

Guitarhero, ITA

Shimmie, holes, you know..holes? I've seen them on the ground tattered, with pock marks and holes...probably from stillettos. You raise a good point:I see tickets all the time as well and won't bother to pick them up, because I don't play. What got the attention for the person in this scenario is the condition of the ticket...it was like new....I agree with praying for the person who may have lost it...

 

[Guitarhero]

Just to clarify my position further, I don't think that gambling in a casino is sinful either. It's all in how you gamble. Because, what would be the difference between a lottery ticket game of chance and sitting down at the casino machine or table and scraps in the alley, for that matter?

 

[Shimmie]

Love it! I don't usually find money

(well, except for the occasional coin here and there )

...but it never occurred to me that I should pray for the person who lost it. I'll definitely keep this in mind.

Back when I was in college and raising my babies, one day I was a 'penny' short from having enough bus fare... A PENNY!

Almost in tears, I thought of all of those pennies that I would see on the ground or on the floor of the buses and I've pass em' up... thinkin' Nawww... I don't need that. Plus they were 'dirty'.

Side note: By now, everyone reading this and who 'know' me, are well aware that I can be a 'piece of work', I am so picky about err' thing.

Back to the 'penny' short story

As I was sitting on my bed 'WISHING' that I had one of those 'dirty' pennies from the ground, my baby girl comes into my room and says, "Here Mommie" and in her tiny little buttercup hand was a penny, one that she had found on the ground and picked it up and saved it. I hugged and kissed my little angel, my babygirl, God gave her to me as my rescue. (I also washed her tiny hands...it's a 'Mommie' thing.)

I've been finding money ever since...

Lesson / Moral of Story: Children have sense, more than their parents.

Don't pass up money on the ground no matter how dirty it is. Just, Kiss it up to God when you pick it up.

Also, keep a bottle of antibacterial wipes or liquid in your purse or pocket, and a plastic baggie for the dirty money, until you can get home to wash it and your hands.

 

[Shimmie]

Just to clarify my position further, I don't think that gambling in a casino is sinful either. It's all in how you gamble. Because, what would be the difference between a lottery ticket game of chance and sitting down at the casino machine or table and scraps in the alley, for that matter?

But it's addictive and sooooo so many people have serious problems with it. That's when it becomes a sin, because of what folks end up doing and compromising to 'feed' their addiction or 'vice'.

The atmosphere of a gambling casino isn't conducive to a Christian's life.

I'll be fair, so this that this doesn't appear controversial.

There are Churches that have BINGO games and people win things, this I don't see in the same light of casino gambling. To me, BINGO is a game where older people (some younger) go to enjoy an activity away from home.

I've bought 'raffle' tickets to help a 'cause'. (Yes, I was try'na win that car )

I like many of the game shows, (Family Feud; Are you smarter than a 5th Grader; Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, etc.).

I dunno... A casino is just too 'out there' to be not a sin; or let's say this, to be in an atmosphere such as that and to participate in it.

There's very little that I do where I cannot involve my children. A casino is not a place where I'd take a child, therefore, it's not where I'd be either.

Yet, no judgment on those who do go.

 

[Shimmie]

Thanks ladies for the responses... my understanding of lotteries is you must "pay to play". I don't believe this is an "am I sinning?" scenario.

Guitarhero, ITA

Shimmie, holes, you know..holes? I've seen them on the ground tattered, with pock marks and holes...probably from stillettos. You raise a good point:I see tickets all the time as well and won't bother to pick them up, because I don't play. What got the attention for the person in this scenario is the condition of the ticket...it was like new....I agree with praying for the person who may have lost it...

Laela.... I was wonderin' where you was at... I hadn't seened you posted anything since a 'minute', a New York Minute at that. I was finna' to find you and 'axe' you to tell us what you thought.

And see.......... you 'herd' me thinkin' and you ansawwed'

*I typing ebonics'... You can tell when I'm sleepy and tired, I get silly.

 

[Guitarhero]

But it's addictive and sooooo so many people have serious problems with it. That's when it becomes a sin, because of what folks end up doing and compromising to 'feed' their addiction or 'vice'.

The atmosphere of a gambling casino isn't conducive to a Christian's life.

I'll be fair, so this that this doesn't appear controversial.

There are Churches that have BINGO games .

To the first bolded, that's why I said it's how you gamble. Shoot, I wish we had casino dividends. Hey, I feel sorry, but it's their fault

To the second bolded, Helllllloooooo! I'm catholic . We're the kings of bingo in church, right down to the fathers who smoke during the game....in the choich basement!

 

[Shimmie]

To the first bolded, that's why I said it's how you gamble. Shoot, I wish we had casino dividends. Hey, I feel sorry, but it's their fault

To the second bolded, Helllllloooooo! I'm catholic .

We're the kings of bingo in church, right down to the fathers who smoke during the game....in the choich basement!

@ choich basement....

Girl, you are too much... My stomach hurts laughing at your post. 'Fathers' don't smoke ...

Do they? Fa' real? Naw-uhh

 

[Laela]

I'se heah!

@Laela.... I was wonderin' where you was at... I hadn't seened you posted anything since a 'minute', a New York Minute at that. I was finna' to find you and 'axe' you to tell us what you thought.

And see.......... you 'herd' me thinkin' and you ansawwed'

*I typing ebonics'... You can tell when I'm sleepy and tired, I get silly.

 

[Shimmie]

I'se heah!

sho' is...