The Bible, seen as the authoritative word of God by Christians, doesn’t directly address the modern practice of playing the lottery. However, it offers ample guidance on principles of stewardship, wisdom, and dependence on God, which can all be applied to this topic. This blog post explores what the Bible may imply about playing the lottery, and how this is relevant for modern Christians. We will start by constructing a biblical worldview on gambling and then delve into the related themes of stewardship, wisdom, and temptation.
A Biblical Worldview on Gambling and the Lottery
In broad terms, gambling represents an attempt to gain something of significant value by risking something of value, often monetary, based on an event with an uncertain outcome. One could argue that playing the lottery falls into this category. Though the Bible does not specifically mention gambling or playing the lottery, it does repeatedly discourage love of money (1 Timothy 6:10), reliance on chance (Proverbs 16:33), and avarice or greed (Luke 12:15). Thus, the Bible promotes an ethos of earning money through labor and giving generously, as opposed to gaining wealth through games of chance.
Stewardship and Lottery: Investing in God’s Kingdom
The principle of stewardship involves the idea that everything we have is a gift from God, and that we have a responsibility to use these resources wisely (1 Peter 4:10). With regard to playing the lottery, one must ask: Is buying a lottery ticket a responsible use of God’s resources? This does not mean that every penny we spend must directly further God’s kingdom, but it does challenge Christians to consider whether they are being wise and discerning in their choices.
Wisdom: The Wise Use of Money
The biblical book of Proverbs contains many instructions about how to use money wisely. Proverbs 13:11 says, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” This wisdom can be applied directly to the practice of playing the lottery. The Bible encourages steady, honest work and shuns attempts to gain wealth quickly without effort or contribution.
The Issue of Temptation: Dependence on God vs. Dependence on Chance
The Bible warns against giving into temptation and encourages dependence on God. James 1:13-14 says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” This suggests that playing the lottery could become a temptation that fosters a misplaced trust in chance or luck, rather than in God’s providence and provision.
Conclusion: A Balanced View on Lottery and the Bible
Based on the principles of stewardship, wisdom, and dependence on God, it could be argued that the Bible may encourage caution and discernment when it comes to playing the lottery. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily categorize playing the lottery as a sin. Different individuals, influenced by their unique contexts and convictions, might come to different conclusions about whether buying a lottery ticket is right for them. Christians are encouraged to pray, seek wisdom, and examine their hearts and motives before deciding to participate in activities such as these.
