Crazy Money! – Lottery Addiction

It’s Crazy Money Day!

Last month, two people split a $630 million Powerball jackpot. Can you imagine winning that much money? Adam Osmond dreamed of it. According to MarketWatch, his wins only served to feed his addiction. He played any and all kinds of games, but they cost him his home and business. That’s when he sought help. Experts say that state lotteries have ballooned in popularity. In 2020, sales reached nearly $90 billion. News coverage of big jackpots feeds this frenzy. Unfortunately, people don’t realize that the odds of earning the top prize are 1 in 292 million. There’s a better chance of being struck by lightning or being killed by a bee sting! Even with the remote possibility of winning millions, people will play and become addicted. Some 2 million American adults have a severe gambling problem. Another 4 to 6 million have a mild or moderate one, and those in recovery can relapse in the heat of jackpot mania.

Osmond quit buying lottery tickets over a decade ago. The thing that troubles him most about lotteries is the way the poor get hooked on them. Today he helps recovering addicts by introducing them to running! He’s competed in more than 500 races and recently ran the New York marathon. The Bible says that “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:9) Avoid that pain by turning away from all forms of gambling and placing your hope and dependence on God. 

Now if you’ve been blessed with My MoneyLife, i invite you to discover the Crown Stewardship Podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and iTunes, or listen at Crown.org.