South Africans across the country enjoy playing lotteries, ranging from Daily Lotto to Mega Millions. For many of these players, their faith and their Bibles also play an integral role in their lives.
You may wonder if it’s possible to integrate these two aspects of your life, with no need to feel guilt or wonder if you’re going against the guidelines set in the Bible. What exactly does the Bible say about gambling and lottery playing? We summarise a few concepts to help you gain insight into this important personal matter.
Is Gambling a Sin?
In Biblical Times they Cast Lots
Firstly, a type of gambling called ‘casting a lot’ is mentioned in the Bible. You’ll find this as far back as Old Testament times. People of different religions followed this practice, and they used it to make decisions. The practice isn’t described in detail, but it could have been similar to flipping a coin. It was even used to determine which tribe received which piece of land. Such an act in itself was not seen as a sin but rather a way to trust that the outcome was what God wanted for the situation.Avoid Love of Money
An important factor is that the Bible advises us to not have a ‘love of money’, as stated in 1 Timothy 6. This can refer to making money more important than anything else. If this is the case, a lottery player may easily become addicted to the game and even put finances under pressure, just in the hopes of acquiring more money. This approach to life, the Bible frowns upon, so it’s important to practice responsible gambling.Don’t Become Greedy
Also, the Bible warns us against greed. With greed motivating your actions, it can be easy to never feel that a lottery win is enough. You may find it difficult to enjoy what you do win, and you’ll always want to have more or become one of the biggest lottery winners in the country. Once again, this can put you at risk of gambling away your money, hoping to win more rather than managing it wisely.Manage Money Wisely
Since the Bible also teaches about stewardship and managing your money wisely, it’s clear that irresponsible gambling does not align with Biblical values. From this perspective, many believers may find peace in pursuing their lottery playing as long as it’s done as a casual pastime and done for fun, not in order to become rich.Does the Bible Say Anything About Winning?
The Bible mentions winning in various contexts, and it states that God often helped his people achieve victory in a situation. In fact, the Bible even mentions that God wants the following for his people:
- He wants them to win. (Deuteronomy 20:4)
- People should enjoy what He provides. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
- He is willing to be their strength and help in order to achieve victory. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
The Bible also encourages people to practice disciplines such as long suffering and implementing patience so they can endure until they achieve their goal of winning. Further encouragement comes from the fact that the Bible states that God is bigger than any situation or obstacle one may face. (1 John 4:4)
However, do note that the Bible’s perspective on winning may be different than the general population’s. For example, while people often walk with pride after winning, the Bible teaches you to stay humble.
What Bible Scriptures Mention Gambling and Lottery Playing?
The Bible contains over 2,000 scriptures that refer to money or people’s possessions. There may not be a direct reference to modern lottery systems, but these verses from both the Old and New Testament can help you gain perspective on how to think of lottery playing from a Biblical perspective.
| Verse | Text | Explanation/Application |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:31 | ‘…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ | If you believe God wants to bring you blessing through playing games of luck, remember to put your trust in Him and not the lottery. Then He can help you stay positive until you have a big win. |
| Matthew 19:26 | ‘…with God all things are possible.’ | God can use any resource to benefit believers. There’s no reason why He can’t use a lottery game as a way of providing, by helping someone win a big lottery prize. |
| 1 Timothy 4:7-8 | ‘Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales…’ | Rather trust God to bless you, even by winning the lottery, than thinking a superstition will bring you more luck. |
| 2 Timothy 2:5 | ‘…anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.’ | Follow the rules of a lottery or lottery platform. Don’t try to cheat when playing the lottery. Also, if tax applies to lottery winning, rather be honest and pay what you owe. |
| Philippians 2:3 | ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.’ | It’s not Biblical to be selfish. It’s valuable to find ways of helping others, even if you win lottery money. |
| 1 Timothy 6:10 | ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith…’ | If you do win a lot of money, be careful that it doesn’t become an obstacle in your spiritual life. You should not love money more than your faith, your family or other important aspects of your life. |
| Hebrews 13:5 | ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…’ | Be satisfied no matter what prize you win in the lottery. |
| Proverbs 13:11 | ‘Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.’ | The ideal lottery outcomes may not be to win a big jackpot, but rather win smaller amounts at a time and make wise financial decisions about how to manage it. |
| 1 Corinthians 6:12 | ‘…All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.’ | It may not be against the law or the Bible’s teachings to play the lottery. However, don’t let the need to win consume you. |
| Proverbs 16:33 | ‘The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.’ | God can even influence situations where everything is based on luck. |
How Can You Get Rich in a Biblical Way?
There are many scriptures that refer to money, so it’s clear that the Bible teaches about how people should work with their finances. Firstly, it’s vital to maintain high morality, such as always being honest. If you don’t follow God’s values, you may prevent yourself from being blessed. It’s also important to be an honest citizen, such as paying taxes to authorities if they request it.
There’s no Biblical scripture that talks against enjoying money that you win or acquire by inheritance. Still, the Bible promotes honest, hard work as the way to achieve and maintain financial wellbeing. You should seek God’s guidance in decision making if you want the best outcomes in life and that also applies to business.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches about the responsibility that comes with the blessing of great wealth. This requires appropriate management of your money, such as making wise investments. Biblical teachings also promote helping the poor.
It’s best to keep to these guidelines so you don’t find yourself losing the wealth you acquired in a Biblical way.
Dos and Don’ts When Playing the Lottery
Based on the above, you may realise that it’s important to adjust your habits regarding lottery playing. After all, even market leading platforms like theLotter clearly states the importance of responsible gambling.
Source: theLotter
Of course, it can be difficult to improve or change our habits. However, it becomes easier if you have simple guidelines and if you break down your goal into smaller milestones. This list of tips has helped many players align their playing with what’s responsible and what the Bible teaches us:
- Don’t lie or cheat
- Do keep it fun
- Don’t blame God
- Do accept it’s a game of luck
- Don’t play what you can’t afford
- Do ask for help when you need it
Every player needs to monitor their habits and make changes when they realise they may have a problem. You can easily do this when playing online, thanks to Lotto Agent and other platforms offering features like ‘Deposit Limits’ and providing information on responsible gambling.
Is Winning the Lottery a Blessing from God?
Final Thoughts
FAQ
God gives advice to people who are rich, such as the scriptures in 1 Timothy. He prompts the rich, such as today’s millionaires, not to live with arrogance based on their wealth. Also, their money shouldn’t be what gives them hope and stability in life, but rather God.
While the Bible prompts believers to not believe in ‘luck’, there are various numbers that represent good fortune and the divine. The number 7 is the one most closely associated with ‘luck’ as it stands for ‘perfection’ in a Biblical context. Many people – whether they believe in the Bible or not – view this as a lucky number.
Other numbers that also carry value are 3 and 12. 3 refers to the Holy Trinity and 12 is significant for there being 12 tribes of Israel and 12 disciples who followed Jesus.
No, the Bible doesn’t teach against being rich. Rather, there are many scriptures stating that believers can expect blessings, which includes financial provision. However, it’s important not to make money more important than your god.
Jesus mentioned that God can reward his believers. Also, as stated in Matthew, Jesus taught that people can even achieve the impossible with the help of God. This can apply to spiritual, emotional and physical matters, such as doing well in business or receiving money in an answer to prayer.
Yes, being well-off can be a blessing from God. He wishes his people to do well and enjoy life. This kind of blessing can be the automatic outflow of following His commands and taking His advice.
This type of blessing also comes with responsibility, as He wishes people to use the money for good. It can also be a way of empowering us to help others.
Some people feel playing the lottery can have Biblical foundations, because it’s a way of helping those less fortunate. In South Africa this viewpoint can apply because about 27% of the money the operator raises goes to various sectors, including charitable organisations across the country. Therefore, some lottery ticket money impacts people’s lives in a positive way.
For clarity about the rest of the money, a portion of the income from lottery ticket sales is allocated to cover prize money of lottery winners. Some money also goes to retailers’ commission and covering the National Lottery’s operational costs.
The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund determines where the money goes and entities can apply for support from the National Lottery. Other sectors that receive support include arts, sports and heritage.
Psalm 118 mentions how success and victory is possible, and that it is God’s victory. The scripture mentions God as the one who blesses and gives success. Also, He offers victory to those who act in His name.
The jackpot for DailyLotto is ZAR 300,000 on