The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission | What’s wrong with buying a lottery ticket? | Comments

Comment 1

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:35:00 CST

Interesting article. Gambling is yet another area where men have failed and fallen to the flesh.

However, I’m afraid that we must be cautious not to error with legalism either.

Otherwise you are going to stone a million old folks who play bingo...and probably get hit with a walker. :)

And who here doesn’t have a 401K or savings account???

Don’t think that you aren’t guilty of gambling too. No matter how low the risk and/or the interest is, it is still the exact same concept. Banks go under and stock markets crash all the time.

So let’s not condemn those who don’t choice to bury their money in the back yard...I’m pretty sure even Jesus scolded the fellow who did that in one of his parables…

It’s the LOVE of money that is at the root of all this. Excessive ANYTHING is going to get you into trouble. How ‘bout Super-Sizing that fry for me? Hehehe.

Comment 2

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:40:29 CST

I agree heartedly with this article, well articulated. A related question I have deals with the fact that some people who are opposed to state lotteries will allow their college-bound children to benefit. What about Christians who accept scholarships built from monies the state collects from lotteries? What about Christian colleges that accept these scholarships? What is the Christian view of such practice?

Comment 3

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:44:35 CST

RE: Ernest’s post 1

Comparing legitimate investments (like 401Ks) to gambling of any kind is wholly inaccurate (though popular). To equate the two does a tremendous disservice to this debate.

Comment 4

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:41:39 CST

How about a good follow-up article that addresses objections by those who claim gambling is comparable to investing (ethical comparison not potential for success).

Comment 5

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:50:24 CST

To compare buying a lottery ticket and hoping to get rich instantly with investing in your 401K and watching it grow over years or decades, or a savings account that PAYS a fixed interest rate is ridiculous.

In your 401K you are probably INVESTED in (that is you OWN a part of a business) a ligitimate money making concern, that company can lose money or go out of business, but it doesn’t have to, and you have information about the company on which to base your investment decision.

But the biggest difference is that in the lottery MOST people have to LOSE for a very few to win, in an investment this doesn’t have to happen, everyone invested in a sound company can WIN (can profit from their investment), including the company itself, the government in taxes and workers at the company. BIG, BIG difference between buying a lottery ticket and investing in stocks.

P.S. Remember Jesus’ story of and rewarding the people who wisely invested.

Comment 6

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:40:53 CST

I have a friend who once a week fills her car with gas, buys a diet coke and 1 lottery ticket. For her this is not gambling but rather a form of entertainment and for her, this is true. Unfortunately, the Lottery Commissions do not target people like her, they would go broke. They target the poorest people, the ones with the biggest need and most to lose and this combination leads to taking the biggest risk and losing the most. And this is most horrific part of the lottery.
The state government, which God ordained to protect its citizens, has put itself in the position of deceiving its most vulnerable and needy citizens.
I will bet a friend a coke on the outcome of football game, and that is gambling, but I won’t buy a lottery ticket when I get a diet coke,even as entertainment and fun, because of who it harms and my commitment to be my brothers keeper whenever possible.

Comment 7

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:36:30 CST

I just have some concerns toward the article and the responses (I am so far neutral on this issue):

1) 1st paragraph: accepting any material gift and also any money gained through investments would be condemned on these statements.

2) 2nd par: any game/contest with material gain as reward would be then based on greed and would be sinful (including some children’s and youth group games).

3) 6th par: ethically speaking, this is no basis on which to form a moral judgement.

4) answer to post 2: if you believe that Christians should not participate in the lottery, then you should not accept a lottery-based scholarship; however you do not have to assume responsibility for your school accepting them for other students.

5) answer to posts 3 & 5: investing IS akin to gambling; it is just a refined and more long-term form: look at the examples of Wal-Mart vs. Enron and you tell me whether investing can have the same positive and devastating effects noted in the article for gambling.