Skip Lottery Tickets

Do you buy lottery tickets?

I was once asked whether buying a lottery ticket was really that big of a deal. After all, winning could increase their charitable giving. Now, that’s if you ever won, and that is a big IF. To be perfectly honest, you’re more likely to wish on a falling star that hits you than you are to win the lottery. The odds of being killed by a meteorite are roughly 1 in 1.6 million. The odds of winning the Powerball? 1 in 292 million.  The size of the jackpot causes people to forget their math.

Contrary to investing, where everyone can win, the lottery is predicated on almost everyone losing. Besides, the Bible argues against instantly gaining a huge sum of money. Proverbs 13: 11 says, “Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.” Later, in chapter 21: “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” This likely explains why so many lottery winners file bankruptcy after receiving their windfall. Hard work, daily work not only builds our character but reliable wealth, earned in a way that brings glory to God.

Now, I don’t believe in luck and I would never put my faith in it. I want the fruit of my labors to be blessed by God. As Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” So, skip the lottery and grow your net worth steadily one day at a time. The odds of that happening are in your favor.

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