Gambling: Is It Okay To Play The Lottery? Series

God has designed and commanded us to work. Playing the lottery, giving money to the gods of luck and chance, is simply rebelling against God’s command.

So, playing the lottery is wrong because it erodes a biblical work ethic by devaluing and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood.

D. Because It Is Driven by the Sin of Covetousness

Fourth, playing the lottery is wrong because it is driven by the sin of covetousness. Not only is it driven by the sin of covetousness, playing the lottery tempts people to give in to their greed.

Gambling and playing the lottery is a direct violation of God’s tenth commandment, which is not to covet. Exodus 20:17 says, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (cf. Deuteronomy 5:21). Moreover, Jesus warned against covetousness in Luke 12:15, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

People play the lottery because they covet wealth. They think that a quick accumulation of wealth will bring them joy and happiness and satisfaction. But it doesn’t. Only satisfaction in Christ is truly lasting.

This past week, in our morning devotions, Eileen and I read Philippians 4. Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian Church while he was in prison. And he said in Philippians 4:11b-12, “… for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” The antidote to covetousness is contentment. It is being content with Christ, it is being content with what he has entrusted to me. It is being content in whatever circumstance I find myself.

So, playing the lottery is wrong because it is driven by the sin of covetousness by tempting people to give in to their greed.

E. Because It Is Built on the Exploitation of Others

And fifth, playing the lottery is wrong because it is built on the exploitation of others. Not only is it built on the exploitation of others, playing the lottery often takes advantage of poor people who think they can gain wealth instantly.

Gambling is stealing. It is a violation of the eighth commandment. Exodus 20:15, “You shall not steal.” The Westminster Larger Catechism, in the answer to Q. 142, gives numerous examples of the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment. One of the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment is, “defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.” In other words, God has given us a stewardship of finances for us to use, but by playing the lottery we are allowing others to steal that money and we are defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort that God has provided for us. Why not just put a sign in your yard that says, “Please! Come into my home and help yourself to whatever you want!”