MondayMorningInsight

Would Your Church Accept $600,000 From a Lottery Winner?

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, August 18, 2008
Viewed 19
(70) comments so far

Comments

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Brian L. on Mon, August 18, 2008

Leonard,

Yeah - that’s one of the caveats of ministry.

We can offer, but we can’t force them to take us up on our help.
W. Mark Whitlock on Mon, August 18, 2008

In my church, the pastor doesn’t know who gave what—just the deacons on the finance board know. That way, the pastor can’t be tempted to play favorites.

If I had won the lottery, I probably would’ve tried to give the money anonymously anyway.
Randy Ehle on Mon, August 18, 2008

For those of you who say you wouldn’t take “tainted” lottery money…have you asked the rest of the people in the church if they’re playing the lottery? I bet (no pun intended) that far more people than we might realize are “playing”, but just aren’t winning the big bucks…so from a reasonable perspective you’ve got to say that anyone who wins even a couple dollars in the lottery and gives to the church is giving “tainted” money.

By the way, when Zaccheus encountered Jesus, he promised to give back not only what he cheated people out of, but four times as much. And that was on top of (i.e., after) promising to give half his possessions to the poor. That suggests that his wealth was primarily gained through cheating. I don’t read anything about Jesus telling him not to share those tainted possessions with the poor.

Personally, I can’t think of a single reason not to accept lottery money.
Randy Ehle on Mon, August 18, 2008

Another thought - the only “church” people I’m aware of in the Bible who refused money were those who paid off Judas to betray Jesus, then wouldn’t accept the money back because it was “blood money.” Apparently, to them, it was okay to use synagogue funds to hire an assassin (or close to it), but it wasn’t okay to take money from the assassin!!
Brian L. on Mon, August 18, 2008

Randy,

I’m with you.

The biggest reason I hear about not accepting money from lottery winnings is that most folks who play the lottery are from poorer families who use their paychecks to play (this also includes things like video lottery - the most addictive form of gambling, according to some studies) rather than to buy groceries and pay bills.

Accepting lottery money for these churches makes them feel they are condoning an industry that makes it’s countless billions in profits off the backs of those who really can’t afford to be playing. They’re not using disposable income, they’re using money that is earmarked for essentials.

I agree with that perspective (to a point - I don’t have trouble with the church accepting winnings), and would have absolutely no problem with gambling being eradicated.

Because it’s sin? No - because those most affected are those who are least able to afford the addiction.

This is the gist of the John Piper response I mentioned in an earlier post.
Lamont Downs on Mon, August 18, 2008

Yes, I would take it and Proverbs 13:22b says “and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just”. And further more he didn’t play the lottery and how many children in the church today go to college on lottery scholarships that come from lottery money. But if God told him not to take it than don’t take it, but that is the only way I can see him not to receive it. If the truth be told how much tainted money is taken in at every services that an offering is received. We should not throw away the wealth of wicked when it is given.
Brian L. on Mon, August 18, 2008

Lamont,

Your quote from Proverbs was one I was looking for earlier - thanks for bringing that up!

I’m not sure I understand you. You say he didn’t play the lottery - so how did he win?

Also, the education argument (that lottery money provides for scholarships and such) is weak. The industry, and therefore the “benefits” it provides to the state, come from the participation of those who should not be playing - the poor. The state is profiting from those who can least afford it. This is a very dubious way, IMO, to fund education and other programs.

Funny how the education that comes from those funds doesn’t touch on the odds of winning and the cost of playing…
Randy Heddings on Mon, August 18, 2008

I would allow a person to tithe to the church from lottery money or gambling gains. It is not the avenue money travels getting into the hands of godly people, it is how godly people handle, as long as the money is not from illegal gains where it could draw the church into some legal issues. Although I do not persoanlly gamble or play the lottery, I cannot condem people who do as a pasttime but as will all things, these things sholdn’t be engaged in with excess. Perhaps that fellow would consider tithing to a ministry that has a heart and passion for God’s work but doesn’t have the backing! What othermessage do we send when we refuse tithe money from a person? In a stretch could it be derived that tithing is not appreciated nor expected by God. Can we tell people to violate God’s Word in tithing?
Stephen Wulf on Mon, August 18, 2008

absolutely yes…where do we get off on calling money tainted…I don’t think it’s the lottery or even gambling that is evil but an out of balanced lifestyle or addiction to that sort of thing.
Jim on Mon, August 18, 2008

For those that would say no, help me understand! Is it the church’s job to regulate where offerings come from?

How about the person that won the money? Think about it from his perspective. We don’t know where he is in his walk with God, think of what a “no” would mean for him!

He is trying to respond in obediance to what God instructs his followers to do, but is turned away by those who “represent” God. What is he to do?

Or, what if someone made substantial money in a way that was legal but may be viewed by the church as questionable or unethical and then 10 years later comes to Christ and wants to donate a substantial sum, would they then turn it away?

If the real reason is because the church is afraid of what the media will do or what their people will think I would call that weak and poor leadership.
Pastor Larry on Mon, August 18, 2008

Our ministry is in a town that has 12 casinos. Lots of gambling. Lots of other stuff. Many of our members work in the casinos. They tithe on their earnings, Some give a whole lot more.

From what I have been reading, this one church member in Florida was tithing on what he won. People who work in the gaming industry tithe on the income that comes from folks who come there to gamble. Is the money earned by income from those who gamble not tainted but the money won in gambling is tainted?

I am not trying to split hairs, but we have to determine where or if we will draw the line. If we do not accept the gift of the one and do accept the tithe of the other are we not being two-faced?

If the church has a policy against using gifts from certain sources, go ahead and accept the gift and pass it one in total to missions or some Christian social agency. Or put the money in a trust fund and only use the interest to support ministries that help gamblers and others that are trapped in the gaming industry.

We are trying to get some industry or businesses to move in to the area and help folks break this cycle.

Funds like this would be a start in areas like ours.
Gary Sweeten on Mon, August 18, 2008

I do not like gambling at all and I despise government sponsored gambling. I am a therapist who has treated many people who are have compulsive habits, including gambling. However, those are not the issues here. The issue is using funds from less than holy places to evangelize, heal, equip the saints and build God’s people up.

All money has been handled by someone in sin. Business people sin and make money that is then given to Christian enterprises. I cannot imagine that it would be better to see money go to places that do not glorify God rather than a ministry.
Claude on Mon, August 18, 2008

I would definitely take the money the Bible is filled with examples of God using the worlds money to finance his work. I don’t think the Egyptians were a real godly bunch but they financed the exodus. Take it manage it as a good steward of the Lord.
Daphne on Tue, August 19, 2008

Oh please, lift up your holy robes and turn it down!! How about all those sinful taxcollectors who are giving money—turn them away. Let them find hope and love in Jesus who had dinner with one.
Will Clegg on Tue, August 19, 2008

I would not accept the money. Money won in gambling always comes at the loss of others, many of whom are addicted to gambling. It is, in my opinion a sinful activity which only appeals to our lower nature - a desire to get more.