Did you play the lottery last week? Should you plan to play the next time around?
Last week the defacto national lottery–the Powerball–grew to over $500 million. Two individuals won and split about $250 million after taxes.
For all of its allure, gambling remains a scourge to society and an impediment to those who indulge in it.
What makes the Powerball such an allure?
Actually, it is set up to be alluring and to ensnare as many people as possible. Studies have shown that as the pot grows, more and more people play. In fact last week, lines grew long in some areas as people who normally would not waste their money this way jumped into the frenzy. Of course, the more people who play increases the odds of winning. Last week the odds reached one in 175 million.
ABC News had an interesting observation. They said that the chances of winning the Powerball were absurd. You are three times more likely of dying from a falling coconut than winning the Powerball.
Our greed and the allure of riches makes us play, but the big winner is government. The state and federal governments receive 62% of all revenue, either through direct payments to the states or as a tax on winnings to the federal government.
Who are the real losers? All those people who played but especially the poorest of the poor. Study after study shows that people in lower income neighborhoods purchase more tickets.
Once again, the actions of society as a whole and governments in particular actually work against the good of the most vulnerable of people. In spite of the ridiculous odds, one report last week wrote of all those people who would experience depression when they didn’t win.
Is it any wonder Jesus said told us to beware of covetousness? “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).
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4 Responses
Well said Pastor I had a discussion with some
of my Christian friends a few weeks ago about this very matter . They had bought or were feeling tempted to buy a ticket .
Thanks for who you are in Christ.
Mike Martin
Hummm…. The more people who play the lottery, the less the chances for each player.
Okay.
The government wins. Hummm… Who is the government?
Greed from the poor? Perhaps there is a case for misspent money or an attitude of ‘my ship is sinking anyway so what’s the difference?’ Greed from the poor of society to take a chance they cannot afford or use money intended for survival? Remember that perhaps more than 20% of our economy is underground or off the ‘books.’ 8% (7.9) unemployment is a questionable number at best.
A few years ago I bought an investment from a Certified Financial Planner who knew the purpose was to use the interest to facilitate paying off the inventory taxes owed from a business which failed here in St. Tammany Parish dedicated to God and utilized without compensation from several “Christian groups.” I was told the principle not only was secure but would likely appreciate, along with the monthly payment. He further recommended I should have it in my IRA (didn’t). When I received ‘notice’ the “good opportunity” investment was in trouble, I inquired. The parent company told me the CFA received a high commission due to the speculative nature of the product and knowing the purpose, ‘should never have made the transaction.’ According to my “Christian” pier group: somehow, however, I should have known better than to trust someone else to do the due diligence; I said I trusted him to do the ‘due diligence’ due to my time constraints. Greed? Who? Me seeking to help my family or him seeking to help his family? Or, those “Christians” with something they valued at stake. Ski trips and private schools are expensive. I ‘reckon’ (as more history unfolded) as he saw his market income tanking, I was a pigeon for his pie. Hey, the words, “that language has to be there, so go ahead and sign so I can get this done for you,” seem to ring a bell. It’s just a personal problem I hear; put it behind and move on. I was thinking about that as I (once again) patched a section of roof yesterday and told my wife to keep the bucket handy.
Hummm… Expressions of sin manifest themselves many different ways, “Be not deceived.” “It takes a village” for good or less. It is not that I don’t love.
It is just that I LOVE CHRIST more!
Shouldn’t that be the attitude to rally around?
As long a the main body of those who call themselves Christians who are secure in their “entitlements,” (and if you have not lost your savings (like me), receive retirement, pension or social security you likely feel entitled to that “passive” income) consider it someone else’s problem, then sin will continue to reign in the National body.
I join the Apostle Paul in directing those who would be all they can be for Christ to Romans Chapter 12.
Just had a call from a friend. His grandmother and my friend, Mary, died last night. She was my mother’s friend from before I was born. She predicted my birth as a boy. She taught me much about bigotry here in St. Tammany and I watched God change her heart. She Loved the Lord all her adult life. Just had different ways of expressing it. It has helped me understand why so many men in St. Tammany have or had substance abuse problems. God’s Grace is Good, for by it we have the opportunity of this moment to Glorify Him. We prayed. AMEN.
Blessings!
Just another Power Ball?
The United States is going ahead with plans to deliver 20 advanced-model F-16s to Egypt starting in early 2013 despite concerns in some circles that the Middle East country is slipping toward Islamist dictatorship, reported UPI, Dec. 11, 2012. The United States agreed to the F-16 sale prior to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster by revolutionaries in February 2011. Egypt already operates a large F-16 fleet. Here, an Egyptian F-16 at Edwards AFB, Calif., Oct. 16, 2012.
Sorry,
site does not accept picytures
“Bless them that curse you, Bless and curse not.” Interesting…
Blessings
or pictures… 😉