Are lotteries/raffles sinful?

MidnightHrzn · 04-12-2004, 01:03 AM

A friend of mine asked me if using a lottery/raffle as a fundraiser would be sinful. Off-hand, I couldn't think of any biblical arguments for or against this specific practice. Clearly, it would be sinful if performed with the wrong intentions, eg. greed, but that pretty much applies to any action. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

ChrisHarbison · 04-12-2004, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidnightHrzn

A friend of mine asked me if using a lottery/raffle as a fundraiser would be sinful. Off-hand, I couldn't think of any biblical arguments for or against this specific practice. Clearly, it would be sinful if performed with the wrong intentions, eg. greed, but that pretty much applies to any action. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

No, I think it's perfectly fine. The point is to collect donations. Of course, I think the lottery is perfectly fine too...perfectly foolish albeit, but I don't think it's sinful. If someone provides Scripture saying otherwise, I'll most certainly change my mind though

.

Andrei · 04-12-2004, 01:22 AM

Be this theology, or no? Wrong forum maybe?

**slap_j** · 04-12-2004, 01:27 AM

Yes.
Raffle comes from the greek word rofulo which means "lion" specifically it means "lion that eats Christians". So a raffle is like a hungry Christiantarian lion and will get you into it's den. And a den is like a prison, so basically raffles put you in a prison of sin and you can't just walk out of a prison so once you get involved in raffles and drugs and casual sex and the like you have to pay your debt to society in a metaphorical sense before you can leave the lion's den and...

ok I am lost and hungry but I hope this helps you sinners out.

ChrisHarbison · 04-12-2004, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap_j

Yes.
Raffle comes from the greek word rofulo which means "lion" specifically it means "lion that eats Christians". So a raffle is like a hungry Christiantarian lion and will get you into it's den. And a den is like a prison, so basically raffles put you in a prison of sin and you can't just walk out of a prison so once you get involved in raffles and drugs and casual sex and the like you have to pay your debt to society in a metaphorical sense before you can leave the lion's den and...

ok I am lost and hungry but I hope this helps you sinners out.

HAHAHA...Oh Josh, why is it that everytime I read a post that makes me burst out in laughter, I'm always in a full computer lab at school?

**+Donny** · 04-12-2004, 11:50 AM

I find it disgusting that you find sin funny, Chris. Sin is terrible, and raffles are likewise terrible. His post has convicted me and I will never again participate in a raffle.

Xkcer Man · 04-12-2004, 11:57 AM

i disagree my pastor is anointed and he say's that raffle's are good and were going 2 raffle alot of stuff next week in our worship service because thats what he said and hes anointed. last time we had a raffle i won and so did a lot of other people who are sold out on fire christian's so i know from experience that raffles are holy

ChrisHarbison · 04-12-2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by +Donny

I find it disgusting that you find sin funny, Chris. Sin is terrible, and raffles are likewise terrible. His post has convicted me and I will never again participate in a raffle.

Donny, seriously, you didn't honestly think Josh was being serious did you? He was joking, that's why I laughed.

Why is it sinful? Where does the Bible classify raffles as sinful?

**meatfinger** · 04-12-2004, 01:13 PM

I believe Donny was also joking, albeit in a less recognizable way.

jesusfreak86ca · 04-12-2004, 06:32 PM

I don't think lotteries/raffles are necisarilly wrong. The bible says to be wise stewards of your money and well if a lottery/raffle ticket costs say......4 dollars.....it's a little healthier for you than say....a bic mac meal?...but it's when gambling becomes a idol in your life and it becomes an addiction and waste of money that it is a problem. Otherwise it's okay....but to use for a church I wouldn't be too quick to do......the bible also says not to give an appearance of evil...and well a lot of people think that gambling is a sin and an evil thing for a church to do. If such a fundraiser affects the testimony of the church I think that it is then a problem.

exo · 04-12-2004, 07:22 PM

'Gambling' was used to determine the apostle to replace Judas:

Acts 1:26
Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

The LORD also commanded the casting of lots in a few places in the OT (Joshua 18 is one). Like someone else said, it's probably not inherently sinful, but can become so like many other things.

ChrisHarbison · 04-12-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatfinger

I believe Donny was also joking, albeit in a less recognizable way.

Oh, well in that case, I'm a retard

.

My bad.

jesusfreak86ca · 04-12-2004, 08:32 PM

Casting lots in the bible....was more or less...drawing names from a hat....drawing straws....or even casting votes.....more or less the first two....it was a random draw...and they were trusting God to choose the proper winner.

exo · 04-12-2004, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesusfreak86ca

Casting lots in the bible....was more or less...drawing names from a hat....drawing straws....or even casting votes.....more or less the first two....it was a random draw...and they were trusting God to choose the proper winner.

And a lottery is different how exactly?

ChrisHarbison · 04-12-2004, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exo

And a [i]lot[i]tery is different how exactly?

I don't think it is different.