Are Lottery Winnings Dirty Money?

It's gambling as far as I can see, and a church would be just as well accepting a donation from the local indian casino as to accept lottery winnings.

Slightly off topic - it is really sad that the state has gotten into the business of preying on people addicted to gambling. It's also amazing how private contractors are hired to run the indian casinos, essentially making it like Las Vegas. Gambling is wicked. Does anybody disagree?

 

I see no problem with someone spending a dollar on a lottery ticket. It's when it gets out of hand or becomes an addiction that gambling, or anything else for that matter, becomes a problem that a person must deal with in their life.

 

In the 1970's the Salvation Army were criticised for refusing to accept a gift from cross lotto winnings.

Today the Salvation Army will take gifts from lotto winnings, on the basis that the money is used to combat gambling and help those families adversley affected by gambling.

Nearly every hotel in adelaide has poker machines. We have seen a massive downturn in the local economy scince they were introduced. Resturaunts are closing their doors, the cannot afford to compete with the cheap pokie meals at the pub. I would advise people not to go down the pathway of gambling.

 

As I voted here, the tally was 50-50. Add my vote to the "dirty money" side. I'm so glad I am saved!

A friend - Jim

 

Money is money, and in and of itself is neither good nor evil. The sin of gambling has already been done, the money is going to go somewhere, so why not give it to the church or other charitable organization.

 

As the Salvation Army responded to the criticism that they were selling warcry in the pubs and accepting donations: "The devil has had it long enough."

This bloke's first response was to thank God. Now, how many do that?

Secondly, he provided some $17 millions of dollars for the Lord's work locally with the hope of building a Christian school.

Thirdly, he is restoring the jobs of some 35 employees laid off before Christmas.

Fourthly, he is looking after his family.

He might buy the helicopter he was looking at.....lastly himself.

Then he made some suggestion about expanding his business to provide more employment. He also made some mention about helping the needy in his area.

$11 millions of dollars went to the state government saving another 30 jobs.....jobs that were to be terminated because of state debt.

Aside from the fact the monies were gained by gambling,,,,,and we can address that question......he has been rather responsible with the monies gained.

I find it difficult to be critical.

My personal opinion is that gambling denies the providence of God, and therefore, I would not gamble. Each Christian must decide for himself whether he/she can honestly gamble, and I shall leave it there.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Does that then mean that the man with money should not give?

 

Personally I feel weird about Lottery Tickets. I teach my kids that they are not to be purchased by them or me. They often see those bright shinning and blinking lights and want to put money in the machine. I explain as best I can why they should not to.
I went into a Gas Station to get a Cappichino the other day and as I was going in my Husband asked me to buy a ticket for this latest biggie jackpot. I gave him the "you know better, do it yourself look" but he was in the car with the kids and it was snowy and freezing so I bought 2 stupid tickets for him. I felt funny about it and did NOT tell the kids! I still feel guilty! They can dress it up any way they want to but it is a sin to me to buy a ticket and/or gamble in any way. I fought to keep those Gambling Boats out of here and now I feel like a hypocrit. I WILL NOT buy another one!
I also remember last year when my Hubby put a few bucks in the Football Pool at work, by the way he NEVER watches it, and he won 3 weeks in a row. I had a nervous breakdown and called my Minister and wept because I thought it was wrong, but in the end I had no problem spending the money on Groceries, and yes that is what it went to. But I buy raffle tickets to help school programs, ect so where does the line get drawn. I have known of 2 Marriages that have been utterly DESTROYED by severe gambling habits. Now all of them are suffering the concequences. It IS UGLY out there in that world. I am NOT saying that buying a ticket every now and then will cause this trauma, but why even risk it. It seems to me when we get money all we want is more so maybe we should not even start!
Love in Christ Angie

 

If I won the lottery, I'd feel morally required to give ten precent to my church. If they don't want it, I'm sure many other local congregations or charitable organizations would.

 

I would never buy a lottery ticket, its gambling.

But if someone gave me one, and I won I would share it with all of the people that think its wrong.

Sorry , just had to say that.

 

Yes, he should give. He should give the money back to the lottery. And the Church should not accept this tainted dirty money.

 

Interesting - 2 of the 11 (last time I checked) that thought lottery money was dirty money think it's okay to give God dirty money? Surely I must be mistaken.....

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

Not the least bit surprised...

 

The poll didn't ask if lottery winnings were a ligitimate source of revenue, the poll asked if we thought lottery money was "dirty money".

 

If a church should not accept lottery winnings as contributions from members (or any contributors), then how far does it go?......

Mr. A normally gives exactly $100/week, but he won $10 in a scratch-off game and he writes a check for $105-- how much should be rejected?

Mr. B, who normally gives bi-weekly, wins $25 dollars in a lottery game and in his off-week to give he puts it all in cash in the collection plate, all the circumstances of which are known to the usher who takes the plate back from him-- how much, if any, should be rejected?

Mr. C lent his friend $100 and his friend was so slow to pay it back that Mr. C had almost forgotten it-- until his friend won $250 in a lottery game. He pays back the $100 and tells Mr. C of the circumstances, and Mr. C realizes that some of his loan probably went to play lottery games. Yet he decides to contribute this unexpected $100 as an offering for missions. Should the church accept it?

 

Boy, Alcott, what an imagination! I guess it will go as far as your inquisitive mind will allow it to go. Trying awfully hard to "clean up" those lottery winnings aren't you?

A friend (but weary of defending my position here) - Jim