Search The Scriptures: January 28, 2001
THE LOTTERY
INTRODUCTION:
A. Good morning, and welcome to the Search the Scriptures broadcast, where we spend our
time in a studious examination of the word of God. And, on behalf of the Danville church of
Christ, which sponsors this program I am delighted to have this opportunity to spend these few
minutes with you considering the things of a divine and permanent nature.
B. I don’t know about you, but I’m fed up with going through the line at convenience stores and
being asked by the clerk “Would you like a lottery ticket today?” Just declining isn’t enough, the
clerk then prompts, “This might be your lucky day.” Finally you say, “No thank you I do not
gamble.” Then you are given a blank stare; get it through your head. I don’t gamble! Also, I am
getting disgusted at hearing our so-called legitimate newscasters taking time to give the winning
numbers on daily picks and powerball. Has this nation lost its collective senses? We are
bombarded with appeals to play the lottery. Advertisements on television and radio promote the
lottery with catchy slogans. The state of Indiana in an effort to get you to part with your money
says, “If you don’t play, you can’t win.” Or you hear a woman saying, “Somebody’s gotta win it
might as well be me.” Hmm! That sounds scientific! Other states are also doing what Indiana is
doing, which is trying to dupe the average citizen into foolishly giving the government more in
the form of lottery taxes. One state announces “Solve your problems for life by buying lottery
tickets.” Another state posts billboards on buses in poor neighborhoods announcing “Join these
other millionaires.” And, talk about racial profiling, in New York City this advertisement is
widespread “Hispanic, don’t panic, play the lottery.” The Pennsylvania lottery advertises:
“Don’t forget to play every day.” Also, billboards in poor areas advertising the Illinois Lottery
promises, “This could be your ticket out” The lottery is a ticket all right, a ticket purchased by a
mark. Frankly, lotteries are just one form of government-sponsored gambling. Others in Indiana
include riverboat casinos and race tracks. Lotteries, however more than other forms of gambling,
are promoted as a way to raise money for government projects, and especially for education. My
friends, otherwise sensible men and women lose rationality when the government promises to do
something for the children. If the governor promises to spend money on schools and education, I
almost believe church going men and women would vote to legalize prostitution. Let me ask
you, have you seen education improve since the introduction of the lottery? Certainly test scores
do not reflect any improvement. Those behind the lottery are not interested in your child. They
are interested in your money. The legislators who pushed through the lottery are not interested in
improving neighborhood schools. Instead they are interested in draining neighborhood coffers.
What you may not know is that lotteries have been around for a long time. They actually began
in France in 1520. The first English lottery was forty-six-years later in 1566. In 1612, the
Virginia Company allowed lotteries in Jamestown, and lotteries became common in the Colonial
period, but during that time, prices of tickets were extremely high in order to discourage the poor
from participating. In this country during the 18th and 19th centuries, there were many lotteries
in order to finance public works’ projects. As a matter of fact, early in our nation’s history,
almost all the states had some form of a lottery. For example, in 1839, the Illinois House of
Representatives voted unanimously to authorize a lottery to raise funds “for the purpose of
draining the ponds of the American bottom” in the vicinity of what is now East St. Louis. But,
the loose money quickly led to corruption, and the state government put a ban against all
gambling into the state constitution. Then during the 1800's, all the lotteries became increasingly
corrupt and were eventually banned. By the time of the Civil War, lotteries were allowed in only
three states. Then in 1893 the United States Federal Government prohibited lotteries throughout
the nation. The reasons cited for such a ban were four. They were banned because of (1)
fraudulent operations, (2) increase in welfare, (3) increase in crime and (4) the depression of the
economy. State legislators were so sure of the lottery’s pernicious nature that by 1930, 45-states
had constitutional amendments prohibiting lotteries. At that time all government sanctioned
gambling was limited to Nevada, but beginning in 1963 lotteries started to creep back into the
nation’s conscience. First in New Hampshire in 1963, and then on to 36 states plus Washington,
D.C. and Puerto Rico. In 1994, the most recent figures I have, $482 billion was spent on lottery
tickets nationwide. This is compared with $17 billion in 1974. An estimated one-third of all
American adults buy lottery tickets. In New York State that figure is two-thirds. Americans
spend more on lottery games than on movie tickets, plays, and all forms of recorded music
combined; and the citizens of this country wager more each year than they spend on national
defense. Even though the lottery industry says, “Somebody’s gotta win - it might as well be
you,” the truth is your chance of actually winning are highly remote at best. What the so-called
gaming industry does not tell us is you are five times more likely to be struck by lightening than
you are to win the lottery. But, my friends, the remoteness of winning is not the issue. Whether
the state ought to become gambling pushers, is not the issue. Whether lotteries are a good way to
increase tax revenue is not the issue. The question we should be concerned with is whether
participating in the lottery is pleasing to God. Is it biblically sanctioned?
I. Purchasing a lottery ticket is gambling, just as surely as if you place a bet on a horse, or spin a
roulette wheel. Gambling is defined by Webster’s Third New World Dictionary on page 932
as, “The act or practice of betting: the act of playing a game and consciously risking money or
other stakes on its outcome.” This is what is being done each time one buys a lottery ticket, a
scratch off or any other kind of ticket. The question with which I am concerned is, “Is it
scriptural for a Christian to gamble, in any form including playing the lottery?” I am absolutely
convinced that all forms of gambling are sinful. Not because there is a bible passage saying:
“Thou shalt not gamble,” because there is no such text. But just because the word is not found in
the bible does not mean the practice is approved. We find neither the word rape nor drug pusher
in the bible, but none would claim that either are permissible. We conclude these acts are sinful
by what the bible does say. And in this way we conclude that gambling (including playing the
lottery) is sinful.
II. What - specifically - is wrong with it? Frankly, all gambling is a love of [or for] money! My
friends, gambling is sinful because it is motivated by greed - that is, by covetousness and a love
of money. Let, me ask you this morning, whatever happened to the sin of greed and covetousness
in this country? Few churches condemn it, and even fewer Christians are willing to speak out
against it. The way some behave, you would think there is not even such a sin, but - trust me -
there is. Greed is an eager desire for vulgar gain. Covetousness is actually translated from two
Greek words. One means a greedy desire to have more. The second literally means loving
money. And, gambling is a prime example of covetousness. Gambling is covetousness in action.
Now, if you doubt this just think how the lottery is advertised. The advertisements appeal to the
vulgar greed and covetousness of men and women. Radio and television ads asked people to
imagine what they could do with a million dollars. After reminding us of how big the jackpot has
grown, the announcer says, “Somebody is going to win, it may as well be you.” Every time a
man or a woman spends a dollar or five dollars to buy a scratch off - that ticket is purchased
because of covetousness. Every time someone plays powerball, it is because of greed. Some may
argue that gambling is not motivated by greed, but there is any easy way to prove otherwise. If
gambling is not motivated by greed then simply replace money as the stakes with worthless
tokens. “Oh, I just gamble for the fun of it, for the entertainment value of playing” someone
says. Well, then remove the chance of winning money, and see how many will play. Let people
buy a set of numbers, then choose the winning number to see who won just for fun! Let people
buy brightly colored cards to scratch off the coverings to reveal numbers underneath, not for
money, but just to see if they can match the right number. Is there anyone in his or her right mind
who believes that people stand in line to buy lottery tickets for the fun of it? My friends, all
gambling is about greed, including the lottery. It is about the love of money. It is about
covetousness. And anyone denying that - simply is being dishonest. The bible warns us to
beware of covetousness. The following conversation was held in Lk. 12:13-15 between Jesus
and a man who obviously was covetous. Then one from the crowd said to him, teacher, tell my
brother to divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him, man, who made me a judge or
an arbitrator over you? And he said to them, take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's
life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. Covetousness always brings
distress upon one’s home. Prov. 15:27 says, he who is greedy for gain troubles his own house.
Covetousness will often lead one to spend money recklessly in an effort to gain even more.
There are many women and children living in squaller because a man - driven by greed -
gambled his money away. Sometimes, the trouble goes beyond poverty. Consider the family of
Achan in Josh. 7. This man coveted after forbidden riches and he and his family were killed
because of it. You think gambling is just an innocent pastime, well just ask the family of the
gambler. He covets the money of others in the jackpot and he spends his paycheck while his
own children go without. And, think of this, my friends, have you ever heard of a gambler who
was satisfied with his winnings? No! A gambler is never satisfied. Eccl. 5:10 warns he who
loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This
also is vanity. I recently watched a news magazine program featuring the topic of gambling in
America. One thing that was emphasized over and over was the fact that those who play (the
gamblers) never win. Why do state governments like Indiana’s approve of gambling as a
legitimate means of getting revenue? It is because the sucker never wins. The bible warns that
the greedy will end up poor. Prov.13:7 says there is one who makes himself rich, yet has
nothing. The adage that says, “A fool and his money is soon parted” is applicable here. But
beyond this, covetousness is sinful and will condemn one to hell. Jesus said in Mk. 7:21-23 for
from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within and defile a man. Also, remember this familiar refrain
from the writings of the apostle Paul. He said in 1 Tim. 6:9-10 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. 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. The sorrow of condemnation will follow one throughout eternity. My friends,
covetousness is not a harmless, victimless indulgence. It is sin! And 1 Cor. 6:9-10 says, do you
not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor
thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of
God. The covetous will be condemned along with the sexual perverts and the drunkards and the
thieves. Far too many have made money and the things money can buy their gods. I am not
talking about a person, who might be an industrialist or a wise and sensible steward of money. I
am discussing the greedy, the covetous, those who are driven by the insatiable desire for more
and more. Col. 3:5-6 gives us this sobering bit of truth. Therefore put to death your members
which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness,
which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of
disobedience. Let me return to something Jesus said in Lk. 12:15 - If one's life does not consist
in the abundance of the things he possesses. Then what does one’s life consist of? It is the
saving of the soul! The immortal soul of each member of the human family is worth more than
all the riches in the world. The saving of that soul is more important than what the body wears or
the temporary structure in which the body resides. Jesus said in Matt. 16:26-27 for what profit
is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in
exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his
angels, and then he will reward each according to his works. Ladies and gentlemen, gambling
will not only rob you of your money, it will rob you of an eternal reward.
III. And besides this, gambling is a perversion of God’s standard of pursuing honest gain.
By that - I might have caused you to ask, what are the right ways to gain wealth? And is there a
right way to gain wealth? If there isn’t a right way to gain riches, then we may gain them in any
manner, including stealing, fraud, extortion, and so forth. But, if there is a standard set by God
by which we gain wealth then the scriptures set the standard. Col. 3:17 reminds us whatever you
do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him. Basically, ladies and gentlemen, the scriptures give us four means of gaining
wealth. One, by honest work. Eph. 4:28 says, let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let
him labor, working with his hands what is good. Also, 2 Thess. 3:10 says if anyone will not
work, neither shall he eat. You acquire wealth by working for it. The second means of honest
gain is by fair exchange. That is by buying and selling. This is what Ananias did in Acts 5:3-4.
Ananias was reminded concerning his property while it remained, was it not your own? And
after it was sold, was it not in your own control? The sin of Ananias was not in buying and
selling, but in lying. Buying and selling is a scriptural means of gaining wealth. And so are
investments. Jesus told the one talent man in Matt. 25:27 you ought to have deposited my
money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
Therefore, we learn from this, that individuals have the right to invest in order to gain wealth.
Then a fourth means of acquiring wealth is by receiving it as a gift from another. This principle
is articulated by Jesus who is quoted by Paul in Acts 20:35 it is more blessed to give than to
receive. Also, Paul points out in Eph. 4:28 that those who have, are to share with those who
have not. Rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have
something to give him who has need. This isn’t said to encourage slothfulness, nor is Paul
telling believers to become enablers for those unwilling to work. He is discussing work ethics
and compassion. But in doing so, he reveals a fourth scriptural means of gaining wealth, and that
is by receiving gifts from others. And gambling fits none of these and violates at least three. It
seeks wealth without work. Gambling seeks something for nothing. And it seeks to take what
others do not want to give. A gambler isn’t working a legitimate job, instead he is wagering that
he can get something from others for nothing. Frankly he is trying to acquire from others what
they are not wanting to give. This is stealing. There are no gifts involved here. Since when does
the lottery gladly give all its customers a jackpot worth even a dollar? Since when will the
welfare mother gladly give the Indiana Lottery her five or ten dollars just because she wants to
give that away money? The answer to both these questions is NEVER! Because, you see, my
friends, those, who temporally win a scratch off takes the money of those, who do not wish to
lose. This is stealing - pure and simple. Gambling is no more a legitimate investment than is
buying stolen goods an appropriate business transaction. Gambling perverts’ God’s ordained
means of acquiring wealth. Thus, gambling is sinful even if it were not fueled by covetousness.
IV. And in the third place, gambling perverts the biblical concept of charitable love. The bible
admonishes Christians to love unselfishly. Paul writes in the chapter of love - 1 Cor. 13:13 and
now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. As many of you well
know, the English word love is translated from the Greek word agape meaning charity or
benevolence. It always means extending good will to others. This benevolent good will is always
manifested in giving and not taking. The love we must have for others is seen in giving to them
and not taking from them. Now, you might be thinking “well this applies to family and to
Christians but not in business and certainly not in gaming.” As I read the bible, I find we are to
love all people. Jesus said in Matt. 5:43-44 you have heard that it was said, you shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. If
men and women would begin practicing love toward others, then they would not be taking from
them - in the form of winnings - the money they can’t afford to lose and don’t want to give up.
Ladies and gentlemen, gambling is the epitome of selfishness. It is driven by what “self” can get,
regardless of the expense to others. Agape - love does not allow for selfishness. The golden rule
of Jesus even forbids selfishness. Matt. 7:12 says, therefore, whatever you want men to do to
you, do also to them. There is not a gambler anywhere who genuinely wishes that others would
win instead of him. The man who pays a dollar to punch a hole in a punch board from an
elementary school desires to win. He does not want others to win. The woman who picks
correctly in powerball does not take her winnings and divide it among everyone who paid to
participate. Regardless of the amount of money, the winner will selfishly keep it. And this is
especially true if the amount is substantial because gambling is selfishness. Just remember the
words of Prov. 21:26 that says, the lazy covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives
and does not spare. This serves as a good contrast between the gambler and those who do not
gamble - on any level. My friends, if men and women begin to have the attitude and disposition
of the apostle Paul the gaming industry would dry up and disappear. Paul said in Acts 20:33 I
have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
V. Also, did you know that gambling violates God’s mandate of godliness with contentment?
Often in the bible we are told to be content with what we have. Heb. 13:5 says let your conduct
be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. Then there is the familiar
passage of Paul in 1 Tim. 6:8 that says, and having food and clothing, with these we shall be
content. Having considered these passages, and we could have looked at many others, do you
think gambling is fueled by people’s contentment? You know it isn’t. The flames of gambling
are fanned by discontentment and dissatisfaction with what people have in this life. When the
lotto reaches into the 30 and 40 million dollar range just ask those waiting in line why they are
there, and you will often see that people are dreaming of a larger house, days without work,
vacations in Europe and scores of things they cannot have in their present lifestyles. Now, don’t
misunderstand what I am saying. I have never believed that it was sinful for anyone, including
Christians, to improve their lot in life through hard work and accessing wisdom and common
sense. What I am addressing is the selfish aim that often drives people to spend money they do
not have - in order to take from those who can’t afford to give - in order to acquire things that are
lusted after. This is wrong! This is sinful!
VI. But next, let’s note how gambling corrupts good stewardship. Anyone who has spent time
studying the bible knows that God expects us to be faithful stewards of that with which we have
been blessed. This includes, but is not limited to, our money. In explaining the need to be good
stewards of our mammon, Jesus said in Lk. 16:11-12 therefore if you have not been faithful in
the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not
been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? My friends,
everything we have is on loan to us from God. We are nothing more than stewards over that
which belongs to another, and we will be held accountable for what we do with it. Just suppose
you left $1000 with your son to take care of expenses while you were away. And instead of
buying groceries and paying the utilities and so forth, he bought $1000 worth of daily threes.
How would you like that when you returned from your trip? Now if you can understand how that
to gamble away what you intrusted to your son was immoral. Then you can get a picture of how
God views it when we abuse our role as steward over that with which we have been entrusted.
Gambling wastes and squanders what we have been given by God. As we noted earlier, every
gambler is a loser. Those who have followed lottery winners all indicate that most do not keep or
enjoy their new found wealth. They squander or gamble away what they have won.
CONCLUSION:
A. I’ve heard all the lame quibbles supporting gambling, but no amount of bickering will change
what we have discussed from the bible this morning. Gambling is a damnable sin. We must
carefully and diligently abstain from it and oppose it in all its forms. Paul said in Eph. 5:11 have
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Gambling is a
work of sin. Thus, it is a work of darkness.
B. With that thought I must close for today - due only to the constants of time. Be with us next
Sunday morning at 7:00 as we once again Search the Scriptures. Be sure to stay tuned for some
important closing announcements. Until next week, this is J.R. Bronger saying goodbye for
now.