Scriptural reference against playing the lottery?

[truthseeker815]

I am showing my Biblical ignorance here,but can someone help me with scripture(s) that forbid playing the lottery(or gambling for that matter).My sister asked me and I know there are verses I can show her.She quoted the verse about "do ALL things in moderation"(her emphasis)and I drew a blank.She also said the money goes to help the Texas Education System.Can someone help?

[goinghome]

I'm not aware of any scriptural references that would forbid playing the lottery. The only thing I can think of is that if we have a gambling problem, we obviously should steer clear of it. Also, we're not to love money. If our priorities are straight and we have an extra dollar or two, I can't find anyting Biblically wrong with it. Having money is a blessing from God (for a Christian abiding in Christ), entering contests is OK, the money goes toward education or environmental clean up in some states, it's better than going to Vegas and supporting a city that openly embraces prostitution. :idunno Only my opinions here and my personal leading of the Holy Spirit. I have no convictions, personally, against it if handled appropriately.

[truthseeker815]

I'm not aware of any scriptural references that would forbid playing the lottery. The only thing I can think of is that if we have a gambling problem, we obviously should steer clear of it. Also, we're not to love money. If our priorities are straight and we have an extra dollar or two, I can't find anyting Biblically wrong with it. Having money is a blessing from God (for a Christian abiding in Christ), entering contests is OK, the money goes toward education or environmental clean up in some states, it's better than going to Vegas and supporting a city that openly embraces prostitution. :idunno Only my opinions here and my personal leading of the Holy Spirit. I have no convictions, personally, against it if handled appropriately.

Thanks for the reply,goinghome-good answer-better than I could come up with.

[Sing4Him]

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6:10

If it leads to materialism, greed, etc...

[truthseeker815]

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows 1 Tim. 6:10

If it leads to materialism, greed, etc...

That's what I was looking for-a scripture!Thanks,Sing4Him-to the point and openended("some coveted after")-if the shoe fits-wear it.I will pass this on to her.

[harvest]

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim 6:9

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim 6:10

:thumb

[truthseeker815]

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Tim 6:6

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Tim 6:9

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim 6:10

:thumb

Thank you,Harvest-these are good,also...

[harvest]

Thank you,Harvest-these are good,also...

You're welcome.
I like those verses, after personally becoming snared by the lust and desire to have money. It's terrible because in your head you start to say things like, "Well if I had that $10 million I'd give some to the church, charity, etc.."
But that's just the enemy setting a trap. In reality, it's just your flesh trying to justify having all that money. :ohno
Fortunately the chastening I received really opened my eyes.

[mmullig]

This is a personal opinion. There are no references (that I can find) that say that having a lot of money is a sin. The sin is when you love the money more than God. There is a couple that lives a few miles from me who won the lottery a few months back. Somewhere in the ballpark of 100 million. They are both in their mid 60's with no children. They still live in the same house, have bought more reliable cars (not extravagant) and do give their money out to various causes. Buying a 28,000 dollar toilet would be an example of loving your money, in my opinion. I do not play the lottery often, but occasionally I'll throw a couple of dollars in the pot. I do not take food out of my families mouth in order to do it. To me, it is just an entertainment game. Until God convicts me of this or shows me that it is a sin, I'll continue to treat it like a game.

[Anddra]

"Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)