Should a Christian play the lottery? (Ask Dr. Stanley)

[massey904]

Great answer.

[kenton4u]

YOU DECIDE. THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE LIGHT YOU BROUGHT TO THE WORLD.

[BADDOOKUS]

Here is something else to concider. have you ever been at a church when the offering is being taken up and heard anyone,the pastor,or the person passing the plate ever ask anyone who is about to put money in "Sir you didnt get that money through ungodly practices like gambling or drug sales or the sale of pornography did you? No, nobody is going to ask.and nothing will be said. Hipocracy will abound

[DZydrunasC]

@BADDOOKUS It is the pastor's duty as a man preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to know his family that is the church, and believe me, if somebody is making their money selling drugs or profiting through something evil, it will be evident to those around him. The pastor should be able to recognize these things that seem a miss with the person themselves.

I have a question though, firstly, why would somebody who cares about getting money in any way evil, even involving breaking the

[DZydrunasC]

@DZydrunasC (continued) law, even care about tithing to the church?

Secondly, what would somebody who makes a living doing such practices even care to BE IN church??? Most felons think they are in control of their lives and they don't need God then once something bad happens, they're the first ones to blame God, "how could you let this happen to me?"

I understand your question and all people sin, me included, but most people who don't care to obey God don't care to attend church..

[DZydrunasC]

@DZydrunasC (continued again) let alone tithe to the church.... that seems like a bit of an extraneous situation solely to make Christians look bad...

And let me remind you, even Biblically it says all people, yes ALL people including Christians, are all hypocrites... Jesus even anticipated that my friend.

[BADDOOKUS]

Here is the thing. The same people who say lottery is bad are the ones who really like that scripture that says that the wealth of the ungodly is laid up for the rightious. Where do they think the ungodly got that money, selling Girl Scout cookies.? No they got it through ungodly means.If Jack Daniels Distillery was to right you a big check thats ok but a lotto ticket is a sin?

[mhenry326]

So true!!!

[allen0000ful]

IF YOU WANT GODS VIEWPOINT ON GAMBLING. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS READ THE SCRIPTURE. WHEN JESUS WAS HANGING ON THE CROSS THE ROMAN GUARDS WERE CASTING LOTS FOR HIS CLOTHING. LOTS MEANING THEY WERE GAMBLING ON WHO WOULD GET JESUS CLOTHES. NOW ASK YOURSELF IF ITS OK TO GAMBLE.

[Soul7Patrol]

@allen0000ful AMEN!!!!!!!!

[BADDOOKUS]

@allen0000ful It just says that this took place, it doesnt say it was wrong

[allen0000ful]

@BADDOOKUS no disrespect here but think of it this way....if someone killed your mother and the same murders got to draw straws to see which one got her possessions...would that be right or wrong? if you say wrong...its the same thing when they crucifed jesus and gambled for his belongings.

[DrPhilMusic]

@allen0000ful

Gambling for your local lottery or 50/50 draw isn't the same as playing dice for a convicted criminal's repossessed car, so to speak. gambling for jesus's clothing is an entirely different matter.

The way i see gambling, 1,000,000 people put 5 dollars in a pot, one of those million people wins 5 million dollars, the others just lose 5 bucks when they know the odds were tight.

[allen0000ful]

@DrPhilMusic you know were supposed to trust god in the things we need...when you play the lottery youre trusting in your own strength to obtain wealth. the bible clearly states if you try to become rich quickly you will come to a morsel of bread. i mean there were rich people in the bible who didnt play a lottery so if god wants u wealthy trust me u will obtain wealth will little effort.

[DrPhilMusic]

@allen0000ful I didn't say i would put trust in god to help me win the lottery, that's just foolish. I'd rather put my trust in god to keep my belly full and a roof over my head. anything else i want is merely a luxury that i can only acquire by extra effort, or in the case of the lottery, luck.

[note4note]

So what about the people that gamble and give some money away to charity? If the act of gambling can lead to a reward for not only yourself but to others than how does it not fit a follower of Jesus Christ? You can argue that wishing for more than what you have is greed, but then how is it different to ask for a raise at work? More so, what if you have less than you need to live well?

[allen0000ful]

@note4note u know jesus told the roman soldiers to be happy with their pay and not complain about it...listen im not saying we dont need money to live on earth...all im saying is to trust in god for the things we need and as long as your a christian and tithe and follow his commandments then at that point quote scripture to the lord in prayer...he cant deny his own words....

[note4note]

@allen0000ful So what you're saying is that you don't need to work hard or try or anything, just pray a lot and you'll get everything you'll "need" from god?

That still doesn't address those that are poor and can't afford basic necessities, much less have money to tithe with. It also seems a bit garish that you'd tell people to use scripture in prayer, as if you can somehow blackmail god into doing what he said he'd do in the bible. He'll do what he wants, won't he?

[NewLife1996]

The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.

1 Samuel 2:7

[TheAviator365]

You didn't answer it.

[NMATTHEWS83]

@TheAviator365 If you listen carefully he says "IT DOES NOT FIT WHO YOU ARE AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST" at 1:45.

[TheAviator365]

@NMATTHEWS83 He said it is not the answer. Where is it in the bible? That is what I am asking, as we can do everything that we want - sin or not (we know that we have free will) but I want proof, not just a pastor's view.....just didn't want to hear -you decide in the end. Thanks.

[lockitkitten]

@TheAviator365 He was quite clear. Its the way of the world not of God...But I like how he tells us to decide at the end.

[TheAviator365]

@lockitkitten Sorry, he was not. If he was, then he would not say you decide in the end. Where is the biblical (verses) as such that show solid proof of lottery is bad. The fact is that there are no scriptures, that is why he was indecisive in the end.

[lockitkitten]

@TheAviator365 Perhaps there are no definate Bible scriptures about gambling like there are non on say...masterbation...however God states how sexual immorality is wrong. In the same sense look at Luke 12:15 "Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Be an honest Christian ....Would God really want people to be in the habit (addiction) of gambling. The whole mindset is based off "to aquire".

[NMATTHEWS83]

@TheAviator365 When he said "You decide" He is basically saying It's at your own conviction. BUT as a follower of Jesus Christ it isn't something we should do. Its kinda like us saying "I don't trust you Lord to provide for me so i am going to gamble and try to get it myself"..Why should we gamble when God will provide for ALL of our NEEDS!