The Bible
never uses the term "lottery." Though there were games of chance among
Hebrew and Greek cultures, there was no lottery in ancient times as we
know it today. Therefore, specifically, the Bible says nothing of the
lottery per se.
However,
the Bible does tell us that we are to work for and earn our wages
(Matthew 10:10; Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:10). The Bible also
says it is right and good to sell goods or property for a price (Acts
2:45; 4:34). And, the Bible also says that it is acceptable to God for
us to give and receive (Luke 6:30, 34-35; Acts 20:35). Never is there an
endorsement, though, of gambling.
In Matthew
25:14-30 Jesus tells of a man who left his servants each a portion of
money and returned later to see if they had made a profit with it. One
of these men was told that he should have deposited his portion of his
master's money in a "bank" (vs. 27). There is no reference or hint of
suggestion that Jesus was encouraging gambling (i.e., playing the
lottery) in this parable.
The issue
He was and is stressing involves stewardship. All good gifts come from
God (James 1:17). This includes the money we are allowed to earn
(Deuteronomy 8:18). Are we doing what the Lord wants done with the money
He has given us if we use it (win or lose) to play the lottery?
Part of
the christian's decision regarding the lottery or any gambling venue has
to do with conscience. The Bible says that if a christian violates his
or her conscience by engaging in any activity that is questionable in
their own mind the christian has done wrong (Romans 14:20-23). Would we
play the lottery if the Lord Himself were with us as we bought the
lottery ticket? Would the Lord play the lottery? If it is not completely
right with the (spiritually tuned) conscience then it is completely
wrong.
In
response to what some have said regarding the lottery's "good side"
(i.e., The scholarships and money for education that it generates).
Would it be right to prostitute one's spouse because doing so might
bring in enough money for us to finally have that much needed heart
surgery? The end does not automatically justify the means.