Would Your Church Accept $600,000 From a Lottery Winner?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, August 18, 2008
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- (70) comments so far
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After Robert Powell hit the Florida Lottery jackpot last month and took home more than $6 million, he thought of his church. And he offered to drop his tithe, around $600,000, in the collection plate of First Baptist Orange Park. But the church and Pastor David Tarkington politely declined and told Powell they will not accept the lottery winnings. Pastor David Tarkington would not say exactly why the church refused the money, saying only he 'didn't want to talk about members' gifts'.
So... here's the question of the day... if someone in YOUR church won the lottery and wanted to tithe the money. Would you accept or deny the money. If you accept the money, why? And if you would deny the money, do you also check to see where your other tithes and offerings are coming from... you know... just to be safe? Please take a moment to leave your comment...
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Peter Hamm on Mon, August 18, 2008
I’d take it! I don’t encourage the lottery myself, but I’m willing to let that person start to be an example of gratuitous generosity, and might counsel him to give a great deal of the rest away!
Bill on Mon, August 18, 2008
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before:
The only problem with “tainted” money is that there “taint” enough of it.
Leonard on Mon, August 18, 2008
YESSSSSS!
Mark Simpson on Mon, August 18, 2008
Did God speak to this pastor? He certainly can, and does speak. Sometimes this is maddening to us because it is obvious that God has dealt differently with His servants. Case in point: George Muller was once given a large gift by an unconverted person and he turned it down due to convictions he had. His contemporary William Booth was given a large gift by a cigar-smoking agnostic. When he accepted it he was asked why. “Tonight we will lay the gift on the altar and allow the widow’s tears to wash it.” (something to that effect) Both men mightily used of God,with different convictions. We don’t have answers for everything.
Sam Silverman on Mon, August 18, 2008
I would NOT take it. How can we be the church if we take in tainted resources?
At MY church, we only accept perfectly clean money. No funds from bartenders b/c of the alcohol thing. Same with waiters, waitresses and folks who work in stores that sell alcohol (and, oh yeah…cigarettes). We do take money from SOME attorneys, but not ones that work for the ACLU (evil) or represent cases or people we don’t agree with. How could we take money from attorneys who represent criminals?? Doctors are ok as long as they have NEVER performed an abortion or offered birth control. There are a few more people we don’t accept money from as well, but the list is kind of long. Oh yeah, these people can’t serve either.
We once had a former preacher try to join our church, but he didn’t baptize like we do. So…you know. (He didn’t have much money to give anyway.)
Pastor Shane on Mon, August 18, 2008
in a heartbeat - YES - Satan has had control of that money long enough
Ray Reavis on Mon, August 18, 2008
Wow, this is a tough one. I look at it this way, gambling in itself isn’t a sin, but the love of money and material things is a sin. So if someone plays the lottery just for fun, just for the fun of buying a dollar ticket, without being consumed by dreams of striking it rich, is that sinful? Maybe your intentions are upright, and you spend that $1 on a lottery ticket no differently than you would blow $1 in a Frogger video game (I know, I’m dating myself). Maybe this guy’s intentions are that innocent.
Especially if the guy shows that he is tithing of his winnings, it helps the case that he isn’t necessarily a “lover of money.” I suppose I’m inclined to give someone the benefit of the doubt.
I also have to give the pastor the benefit of the doubt. He probably sees the destructivenss of gambling. He probably has counseled men and women who have put their families in financial jeopardy. If this is the case, he probably thinks it is hypocritical to accept the winnings from something he feels is so bad. If he earnestly sought God’s guidance in prayer, who am I to criticize him?
On balance, I believe I would accept the money. I believe much good could come from it.
Peace,
Ray
Pegter on Mon, August 18, 2008
I would take the money and use it for the Kingdom. While I do not agree with gambling on any given Sunday there is money going in the plate from liars, those who have stolen and the list goes on. Let’s turn it around and make it useful.
Pastor Steve on Mon, August 18, 2008
I just had to laugh when I read bro. Silvermans response. Are you serious, How about the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous. Or Duet, 8:18 It is the Lord your God that gives you power or (wisdom to get wealth, that His covenant may be established in the earth. I don’t play support or promote State Lotteries but How can you say that lottery money is tainted when it’s your tax dollars that help fund it. And Once it gets placed in the hands of God as an offering it becomes sanctified, cleansed and set appart for Kingdom use. Thi nk about the outreach opportuites and the souls trhat could be reached with a gift of that caliber. This kind of thinking from those trapped in a religous box is why most churches struggle and never get anything accomplished for God’s glory. God bless the brother who won the 6 mill.
JHPW on Mon, August 18, 2008
Yep - I’d take it unless God very clearly told me not to. We have a woman in our church living in extreme poverty. She lives in a home with holes in the roof, and no utilities whatsoever - no running water, no electricity, no gas - nothing. She uses kerosene for light and heat. What a difference we could make in her life with that kind of money.
Paul J. on Mon, August 18, 2008
Not only would I take it, I wouldn’t even blink.
Oh, and Pastor Steve…I’m pretty sure that Sam was being ironic and humorous…
Gary Sweeten on Mon, August 18, 2008
Any church that would not accept “tainted” money is not mature enough to spend it wisely so I think the Pastor and leaders acted with great wisdom. For them to see that their theology and biblical understanding is so shallow that we would waste the funds takes real integrity and courage. So, I am here to bless and affirm this Pastor and to say that my theology and understanding of the Bible is mature enough to use those funds wisely.
kc on Mon, August 18, 2008
Take it and use it for the glory of God!!!!!!!
Casey Sabella on Mon, August 18, 2008
I can tell I am among pastors!
We brought this subject up this week at a men’s meeting. Initially, I said, why not? Upon further reflection and listening to the men in my church, I came away with a different view.
It really goes back to the meat offered to idols dilemma. If someone offers you meat that has been offered to idols, go ahead and eat it. However, if the server tells you it has been offered to idols, we don’t eat it, not because we don’t have liberty, but because of another man’s conscience.
With respect to the lottery, it is almost certain (as was this case) that the donation will be reported to the media. Then the media communicates the message: Christians are ethical…except when money is involved. Twist it anyway you like, the reputation of the church will ultimately not be worth much. Hate to say it, because I am as greedy as the rest of you (lol) but in the end, will God receive the glory? Will God be blessed? That is a tough one.
Brian L. on Mon, August 18, 2008
I’m not a fan of the lottery in any form.
But I would accept the money - it can now be used redemptively for Kingdom purposes, including the helping of the poor and needy.
For an alternative view, however, read John Piper’s response to this issue (sorry - don’t have the link for you - you’ll have to google it or go to his website) after a guy had won a few hundred million and tried to give a bunch to the Salvation Army, which turned it down.
Brian L.
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