Tithing on Lottery Winnings?
From firstcoastnews.com:
Robert Powell of Orange Park, Florida, hit the jackpot in the Florida lottery last month. His total winnings? A cool $6 Million. Interestingly, he thought of his church, First Baptist Church of Orange Park. He offered the church a tithe on his winnings .. a check for $600,000.
And the church refused the money.
Pastor David Tarkington politely declined the offer, telling Powell that the church would not accept lottery winnings.
First Baptist Orange Park is not the first church to reject gifts from lottery winnings. I recall a few years ago that the new pastor of a Baptist church in Louisiana discovered that the church had accepted a tithe on lottery winnings. He demanded that the church refund the unwelcome cash. In the aftermath of the event he also discovered that one of his deacons was a lottery winner. (I tried my best to find a link to that story, but to no avail. If anyone remembers or has a link, please share it with us…) Surely there must be other instances of similar church actions. Perhaps IMPACT! readers know of specific instances they can share.
But, tell me … what is your conviction? Should a church refuse financial gifts from a lottery winner? Let me tell you my view.
First and foremost, I despise the lottery. I’ve never, ever bought a lottery ticket. But I have stood in line at the convenience store behind plenty of people who were making such a purchase. I affectionately call the lottery in my state the “idiot tax.” Because, in my view, it takes an idiot to think one will personally overcome the astronomical odds to win a major prize.
But as to the money generated by the lottery … I, personally, do not believe that money, in and of itself, is tainted or evil. It’s what is done with the money. And, besides, how many dollars of the Lord’s tithes and offerings have been diverted week in, week out, to play the lottery? I like what Dr. Jerry Falwell used to say when asked if he would accept money from a lottery winner, “Of course I would, the devil has had that money long enough!” So, knowing the financial needs and dreams of my church, I would have some (well, a lot of) difficulty turning down a $600,000 gift.
And let’s take it down to a more personal level. What about Christian families? Should they refuse the benefits offered from lottery winnings? My daughter, now a senior in high school, will have accumulated about $17,000 in a KEES (Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship) funds by the time she graduates. These funds are the product of the Kentucky Lottery. And I assure you … the Baggett family will NOT be refusing those scholarship funds. Of that you can be sure.
So … where do you stand? What would you do if someone showed up at your church with a half-million dollar gift, and it was all over the news that they had won the lottery? (This would have made a great, “You Make the Call” episode, eh?)
And by the way … does anyone have Robert Powell’s e-mail or phone number? ;)
I would have to say it is a question of excess and addiction. If the man in question was able to provide for his family and his purchase of lottery tickets caused no hardship then I see no problem in him playing the lottery and in fact is tithing from those winnings is waajib–obligatory.
For the pastor: if there are people in his church who struggle with addiction to gambling or lottery then he is right not to accept it as it would constitute a stumbling block to his flock. Otherwise it is hallal–permissible.
What if someone GAVE you a lottery ticket, and it turned out to be a winner? Would you take the money? That question has been posed to me by my SS class, and I did tell them no. And I meant it.
It would be tough for me to claim I depend on God if I wanted to reap the harvest of something He’s not in.
I’d imagine a preacher could never again speak against the gambling and the lottery if he accepted, on behalf of the church, money FROM the lottery.
Abu,
An interesting perspective … that the lottery is fine as long as you have the money to play it … and that tithing on the winnings is obligatory. Hmmm…
Bob – But how often do we already “reap the harvest of something He’s not in?” How much of our churches’ tithes and offerings are on money that was ill-gained (worker not logging a full day’s work, taking extra minutes on breaks, shady business deals, cheating clients). If we have to research the integrity of each and every gift, we may find that the funds which operate our churches would be greatly reduced.
To continue in the same direction as Geoff in his question to Bob, what about offerings from:
1. Those who work for tobacco companies?
2. Those who work for companies who exploit children?
3. Those who work for companies that exploit the environment?
4. Healthcare professionals who work for hospitals that practice abortion?
5. Those who give but only attend and give in order to keep up appearances in the community?
May His face shine upon you,
From the Middle East
I usually refer to the state lottery as the VSSMST – Voluntary, Self-Selecting, Mathematical Stupidity Tax – the only regressive tax (rich people don’t generally get rich by being foolish enough to play the lottery, which means that it’s primarily the poor and middle-class who pay this ‘tax’) known to get enthusiastic support from the liberal contingent. It’s foolish, particularly in the sense of being, in the long term, self-defeating. The result of buying a lottery ticket is either that you’ve thrown away money, or that you’ll receive a sudden infusion of money that you’re actually not prepared to handle responsibly (though you’ll likely be flooded by vult….er, “assistants” willing to help you with that problem).
One of the other problems I see with accepting lottery money, particularly with high-profile winnings such as this, is that you lower the barrier for your congregation to engage in further foolishly playing the lottery. “If you win, you can give money to the church!” is one of the things the enemy whispers in the ears of those tempted by the lottery. Accept lottery money, and you strengthen that whisper. Refuse it, and you cut it off at the knees.
This post touches on several key questions.
1. Is gambling evil or Is it a sin to gamble?
2. If yes, are we allowed to accept gifts from gambling earnings?
3. Does tithing scriptural?
4. Are you an idiot for playing the lottery?
1. There is nothing in scripture that says we can or cannot gamble. From my experience, most Christians who are against gambling, use some sort of financial stewardship method to prove that gambling is sin. However, these proofs usually fall flat on their face when countered with logic.
2. Let’s assuming that it is a sin to Gamble, can we accept money from gambling earnings? Well, there are a number of methods to achieve a yes – for instance, we could say that God sets up governments, the government offers Geoff’s daughter some money because of Gambling, therefore Geoff would be sinning if he did not submit to his government. There are also ways we could say no… I cannot think of any that are scriptural, just kinda “elitist”. Basically we say, that money is not from God therefore it is a sin to use. But those usually don’t work because the secular company I work for is no worshiper of God. And thus, most vocational pastors receive money from secular companies (through a little red tape – i.e. the tithers).
3. I would say yes and no. Let’s start with the Yes. There is plenty of scriptural justification for Israel tithing. The no comes in to the fact that the law has been completed with Jesus and thus tithing is no longer. There are number of other elements, such as the fact that the tithe was originally meant for the priests so they could survive (since they could not own anything). But since Jesus revealed to us that we are all priest (I believe God’s original intent) then the tithe is utterly useless – we just tithe to ourselves, no? However, I do believe we should be givers and support the needy. Whether or not you call this a tithe or give in 10% increments, that’s between you and God.
4. Geoff, I would say yes and no to this as well. From time to time I’ve been known to use my last dollar bill (in my wallet) to buy a lottery ticket. However, I do not have the expectation of winning, it is really just a time of fun. My wife and I can think of all the things we could do, all the people we could help, etc. etc. with 16 gazillion dollars. Similarly, when I had more local friends I use to play Texas Hold ‘em almost weekly. We would all pay 10$ for about 100 chips. Some of that pot went towards pizza and the rest went to the last man standing. Some might say that I am/was sinning, however, what was the difference between me spending 10$ for a night of enjoyment and fellowship with my friends and us all spending 10$ to go see the latest and greatest film? Again, I think logic would suggest that Gambling is not the evil, it is the attitude of the gambler. If it is for fun or some sort of entertainment, then it may or may not be wrong. However, if you are starving your family and/or cannot afford
So, regarding your questions: I disagree with Tarkington’s position, however, if that is his conviction, than he has the right to uphold it – at least until God reveals to him otherwise. If I were Powell, I would find an alternate means of giving the 600K – it would probably be best given to a few local charities anyway – they are usually equipped to handle donations in a responsible manner.
God’s Glory,
Lew
The Pursuit Online Store
Lew said:
“If I were Powell, I would find an alternate means of giving the 600K – it would probably be best given to a few local charities anyway – they are usually equipped to handle donations in a responsible manner.”
I say:
We raise our own support. Anyone have his contact info? ;^)
If you dont know where the money is coming from, I’d accept it. Put the devil’s money to work for God’s Kingdom. Make some good come out of the bad.
Geoff also makes a very good point about a lot of the money that’s being given on Sunday after Sunday at our Churches. Some of that offering may not have come from very good places, either. Do we really want to be the tithes and offering police?
But, with all that being said, if the man, who won the lottery, made a big deal out of giving the Church this money…if he was making a public spectacle out of it…then, I’d have a hard time accepting it myself. In fact, the Church should turn it down, imho, since he chose to make such a public, big deal over it. But, if he had just given it privately, without fanfare, just given it as a part of his regular giving on Sunday’s…then, I dont see how you could make a big deal out of this. You’d have to just accept it and move on…right? Otherwise, you would have to start hiring private investigators to check out how each member was gaining the money that they were tithing on….right?
David
1 Timothy 6:9-10, “9 But 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. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
Is it wrong to desire to be rich, even through the lottery? The biblical imperative is to not have this desire. “11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.” What desire could motivate a man to play the lottery outside the desire to gain wealth? I am quite confident that if it is God’s will for your church to have $600,000, He can accomplish that outside lottery winnings.
David’s Policy – Don’t ask, don’t tell. ;)
Geoff,
:)
David
ps. I dont gamble. I believe gambling is unwise and foolish. It’s wasting the money that God has given you.
pss. I’ll bet’cha a coke that someone will disagree with me. :)
Is owning stocks a gamble? Is one not putting forth a little money hoping to gain a lot of money? My wife lost 6% on her 401(k) so far this year. Did we gamble?
Ray,
That’s an interesting question… I’ve definitely lost more that 6% this year. Closer to 15% maybe? :(
Tomorrow night I will put down a $30 entry fee in a bass tournament with the hopes that I will catch the most pounds and take home the purse (along with the big bass “pot”). Am I gambling, as well?
Every weekend my wife puts her name and number on the back of her receipt at the grocery store and drop it in the drawing box … hoping that she will be drawn and win the equivalent amount in groceries the next week. The weekly drawing is one of the reasons she shops at that store. is that gambling?
Understand me … I am in no way giving support to or sanctioning the lottery. I’m just affirming Ray’s point that we seem to have some avenues for gambling that we have declared morally acceptable.
Geoff,
Neither of the examples you give are gambling. But the most important point you made needs to be addressed: do you have a partner for the tournament and where do I need to be tomorrow night?
Colin,
Yap, I do have a partner. In fact, I am the non-boater. I am a “boat bum” of sorts. I cannot afford one, and my wife wouldn’t let me have one, anyway. :(
Perhaps we should define “gambling” as well.
Some may say that it is “putting money up to chance”… Let’s not get into whether or not Poker is a game of chance or skill (I think it is skill)… the question that should be focused on in this definition is “what if you don’t believe in chance?”
As a Christian, I don’t believe in Chance. Am I gambling if I put my money up to “whatever God wills”? Or maybe we believe that God doesn’t/can’t control the numbers in the lottery machine…
Lew
Do we really want to start asking where our church people get their money? One church member may own a convenience store that sells beer and cigarettes — would we turn down their tithe? One member may work in a video store that stocks dirty movies — how about their tithe? The list could go on and on. One Christian leader stated when asked if he would accept “tainted money” for his ministry, “My only issue with ‘tainted money’ in the Lord’s work is that it ‘taint’ enough of it!”
The question Geoff asks is a good one, because it raises several pertinent issues: the ethics of gambling, the nature of giving to the Lord and His work, the means God chooses to build His kingdom, etc.
Though I think gambling is foolish, many people play the lottery for entertainment. There is a certain amount of money they will spend and no more. Though some are hooked on it and will break their own bank accounts playing it, most do not. One will buy a $10 lottery ticket for fun, another will blow $30 to enter a bass tournament, and another will spend $50 on a dinner out. A person who buys a lottery ticket may not be a gambling addict any more than a person who drinks a beer is a drunkard. The potential may be there, but the potential and the actuality must not be equated.
Well put, Dr. Peacock. Unfortunantly, I suspect some of the SBC police may be knocking on your door soon, or at least at your comments.
Wasn’t it Billy Sunday who said that he’d accept contributions from virtually anywhere? Something to the effect that the devil had the money long enough, it was time for God and His people to use it.
Something is wrong with this blog/entry.set of comments however. This is the second time in two or three weeks I have found myself in agreement with David/volfan007. That sound I hear: is it the earth cracking open from one diection, while a lightning bolt approaches from another?
John Fariss
Kevin,
Potentiality and actuality aside, the issue as 1 Tim 6:9-11 demonstrates pushes way beyond the activity into motivation. Paul speaks of a motivation in athletic competition in 1 Cor 9. This athletic competition is one that aims at a prize. Indeed, competition is to determine the best at a particular sport or game. Yet Paul makes clear that the competition he speaks of is one that requires discipline, self control and qualification. It is not one based on chance. Indeed, if you were to survey the entire Olympic congregation, I am certain you would find that all want to be the best, and probably none have their heart set on riches as their primary motivation.
This is not the case in gambling. Its motivation is winning money, gaining riches unearned. What are its fruits? Social ills in society. Not so with Bass fishing, dinner, 401ks, etc. Is the church concerned with the source of money? Perhaps. But this is the context upon which all the quotes everyone is giving about accepting the devil’s money- what church would not accept random money for God’s work? But, the issue being brought up is this: Is the church concerned with how its own members obtain money? Absolutely. And this not because of where it came from particularly, but what means and motivation where used to obtain it.
Are you content with your wages? (Luke 3:14)
Are you seeking riches? (1 Tim 6:9-11)
Are you a lover of money? (Luke 16:14; 1 Tim 3:3, 6:10; 2 Tim 3:2; Heb 13:5)
God was concerned with how money was made (Lev 25:37; Deut 23:19; Ps 15:5; Ecc 5:10; Mk 11:15).
It also cannot be ignored that the MEANS by which the early church supplied for need was in selling their possessions, not in GAINING more in order to give. (Acts 4:37)
Even the chief priests had parameters: Matthew 27:6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
John,
You’re getting smarter every day.
;)
David
Does God use His enemies resources to fund His kingdom? Yes!
The Israelites took the Egyptians gifts as they left Egypt.
Booty taken in war was given as a sacrifice to God. The source of the offerings was the pagan Midianites. (Numbers 31)
The Levites sacrificed the Philistine oxen and cart unto the Lord when the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel (1 Samuel 6).
King Cyrus brought the temple utensils that had been more recently used in the pagan temples in Babylon and returned them to Jerusalem with the exiles (Ezra 1)
King Artaxerxes gave Ezra sacrifices to be offered on God’s altar in Jerusalem. (Ezra 7)
Cornelius’ (a Roman Centurion) gifts to the Jews went up before the Lord as a memorial (Acts 10).
Pssst….don’t tell anyone….but during our recovery from our recent tornado The Salvation Army handed out drinking water provided by Anheiser-Busch….in our church parking lot….
Dave,
You, then, consider Robert Powell to be an enemy of First Baptist Church of Orange Park?
Colin,
“Even the chief priests had parameters: Matthew 27:6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.’”
Hehe, using a group of people known to be wrong and very legalistic is not going to help prove your point :). But hey, I tend to throw the baby out with the bath-water.
By the way, Lottery/Gambling doesn’t cause social ills. Social ills are caused by hearts. I can guarantee you, if we made Lottery/Gambling illegal in the entire world and if we could enforce it so that there was absolutely no gambling going on, ever, not even a trace… the social ills would still be there. It is not the games that cause the people to be messed up, it is their sin that causes them to be messed up.
By the way, many men can become addicted to bass fishing – to the point of ruining their marriages, families, and even finances.
God’s concern with money in those verses does not really seem to apply to this conversation. It seems to me that in Lev, Deut, Ps, & Mk he is telling us not to be jerks to our brothers (charging interest or changing money for profit). He’s not saying that you shouldn’t play bingo. And Ecc only says that loving money doesn’t make you happy.
I guess this is what I meant in my first comment about people who are against gambling. “1. There is nothing in scripture that says we can or cannot gamble. From my experience, most Christians who are against gambling, use some sort of financial stewardship method to prove that gambling is sin. However, these proofs usually fall flat on their face when countered with logic.”
God’s Glory,
Lew
Lew,
You have not demonstrated there should be a lack of parameters in giving by members. Nor have you addressed the motivation behind our actions. In other words, scriptural address would do better for your case than logic.
Colin,
I think you are confused. The burden of proof lies on you, brother. Your use of scripture to prove your “parameters” is not scriptural. I cannot show you where in scripture there are no-parameters because I contend that scripture does not speak of this. How can I show you what does not exist?
Also, how can I show you in scripture what our motivation is behind our actions? Doesn’t that depend on the individual?
God’s Glory,
Lew
Colin,
I’ve never met Mr. Powell and would not categorize him as the “enemy of God”. I would say that all resources belong to God (the Creator) and that he uses whomever and whatever he chooses…
The source does not necessarily corrupt the gift.
I would take the money and invite Mr. Powell to come and worship Jesus Christ with us.
Lew,
I set out to prove what I proved: that the desire for riches is wrong, and that churches should be concerned with how their members make their money.
Dave,
I don’t quite understand how your comment deals with the issue Geoff posed, though I agree with your sentiments.
Geoff,
The threads of this blog continually surprise me. Have a good tourney tomorrow. If you are ever in Port O’Connor, Texas, fishing for trout, give me a shout.
What I get out of this so far is that some of you would take the money and some of you would not.
But for those that would not, especially, would you tell your church member that he should not accept any of his lottery winnings either, that it would be a sin for him to take the $6 million?
Everybody seems to implicitly agree, other than Colin, that the member is free to take the money.
But Colin does have a point in this day of renewed emphasis on a regenerate church membership. Sometimes the church does need to examine the activities of its members.
Where I come down on this particular issue, though, I am not sure.
The particular issue of accepting lottery winnings, that is, both for the winner and his church.
But there are lots of places from which I hope a church would not accept money.
I remember seeing this story a few days ago and working through my own thoughts on the issue. I think I would accept the tithe if I were a pastor, knowing only what we know from the story. The money is, and always has been, God’s. I also do not believe in chance, but in providence. God allowed him to win the money.
My thoughts have moved beyond the accepting of the money to Mr. Powell. This church refused to accept his tithe, I can only believe this is because the pastor views the money as tainted and the means of obtaining it (i.e. the lottery) as sinful. My question is what about Mr. Powell? He can’t very well give the money back to the people it came from (the “idiot” citizens who bought lotto tickets). He might as well give it to some other good cause. My concern is that this pastor and church family not throw Mr. Powell under the bus for winning the lottery.
Matt K -
I wondered the exact same thing. And a man is hard to teach and disciple when he’s under the bus …
So? Does this pastor make all the decisions for the church?
Geoff,
I agree with your post. I think the comment about scholarship money is a very insightful one. (We are challenging our two kids to get as much of that money as they can!)
Tim
In years past I would have definitely refused the money. In recent days I have been reading Isaiah devotionally (if there is such a thing). I came to Isaiah 23:18 which says, “Her gain and her harlot’s wages will be set apart to the Lord; It will not be stored up or hoarded, but her gain will become sufficient food and choice attire for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord.” This one is making me rethink my previous position.
Help me reconcile these statements:
“First and foremost, I despise the lottery. I’ve never, ever bought a lottery ticket. ”
“And I assure you … the Baggett family will NOT be refusing those scholarship funds. Of that you can be sure.”
I’m not trying to point a finger, I just don’t see how these two statements can be in the same paragraph. What does it mean to despise something and yet benefit from the same thing?
Kelly,
First of all … they’re not in the same paragraph. :)
But I think I understand what you’re trying to say.
How can I despise something, yet benefit from the same thing?
Well, I despise going to the dentist … and I have never been a dentist, but I am most grateful of the benefits they provide.
I despise getting shots, and would not want to give one to another person, yet I am most grateful for the benefits they provide.
I guest the most vivid example would be this … I despise violence, torture, and murder. I have never harmed or killed anyone. But I am, most definitely, thankful for the forgiveness and salvation that is provided in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
What men intend for evil, God can use for good. Yes, foolish people waste and fritter away their money in the lottery in an effort to get rich … and my God is great enough to take those funds and educate Godly young people, such as my daughters.
I’m sorry, I just cannot accept your reasoning.
It sounds very much like the kind of argument Paul refutes in Romans 3:5-8
Here’s the form of his argument applied here:
“But if “a fool’s gambling and a State’s greed” serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on “gamblers”? (I speak in a human way.)
By no means! For then how could God judge the world?
But if through “their stupid gambling” God’s truth abounds to his glory (“because of course God providentially led the foolish gambler to win big!), why “are gamblers” still being condemned as a sinner(s)?
And why not do evil (and encourage the stupid tax and let the State be the Bookey) that good may come?–as some people slanderously charge us with saying.
Their condemnation is just. ”
When God makes it clear that we are to take such spoils, then clearly we ought. I’m thinking about the Exodus. But when God clearly condemns taking advantage of the poor and benefiting from the means that destroy them . . . while assuming God’s blessing . . .we really ought to be cautious.
I really doubt the violence, torture and murder of Christ was ever intended, by God, as an analogy for why a sinister racket like the State-lotteries ought to be beneficial to Christians!
States which encourage the lottery take advantage of the poor (those who generally do not make it to college to get educated).
Recent research makes this abundantly clear:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ech/papers/Subjective_Relative_Income.pdf
I’m sorry, Kelly, but I don’t agree with your reasoning, either.
The passage that you quote addresses “taking advantage” of God’ grace and having no personal accounting of sin … since God forgives everything, anyway. It is addressing the abuse of personal liberty. Using hyperbole, Paul showed that we cannot glorify our own unrighteousness, falsehood, and evil in a misguided effort to “increase” the glory of God.
You are making quite an interpretive leap to apply that principle to those of us parents who will accept scholarships from the state, simply because the funds from those scholarships are unused/unclaimed lottery winnings.
Do you so carefully research the “holiness” of every dollar that you earn, or every dollar that is given to the church, or the origin of any other scholarship offered to your child? What about the fraud, lies, and abuse that abounds in the corporate world … the origin of most scholarship funds?
Just imagine the evil or other abuses that can be wrought by the state when such funds are rejected and unused by the people of God.
No, my brother, it’s not the money itself that is evil, but the use of it. Granted, the lottery does take advantage of the poor and uneducated. No arguments here.
So, let’s take that money and educate people. God can, and does, take what men intend for evil, and uses it for good.
This issue really gets sticky and short of self-reliant monasticism, is almost impossible in a practical sense. Despite their Christian convictions, can we eat at Chick-Fil-A given that they use styrofoam cups which damage the environment? Can we shop at Walmart given that some of their wares are without a doubt manufactured by Chinese prisoners, including Christians? Can we purchase garments from Old Navy given that those who make their cloth in India and Bangladesh employee children? Can we put gas from Saudi Arabia in our cars considering it pays for terrorist activity and the subjugation of women?
And what constitutes gambling? Do the stock market, land speculation, raffles, even McDonalds scratch-off contests fail to stand up under scrutiny when the same principles are applied?
I think these things, including whether or not to accept lottery money for schooling, fall under the category of personal convictions. We will not all agree on them but hopefully each will choose what to do, for the glory of God, guided by the Holy Spirit and personal and biblical convictions.
Geoff,
Thanks for responding kindly and in kind.
Regarding Paul’s point: I am dealing with the form/kind of argument not the content. Yes, Paul is dealing with something else. It was an analogy using his form of argument. But, we can leave Paul out of it, at least on that point.
I do not carefully search out every dollar. I cannot. Nonetheless, we cannot push the moral issues away by crying, “Absurdum ad Infinitum!” We sift through what we can sift through. And you raising the issue on your blog allows us all to confront this. So, thanks for braving this.
I’m not trying to boast when I say, I would not take funds for my sons. You’ve stated you would for your daughters. Here we disagree. The temptation is there, since I am certainly in need. But, having money for college education or even having a college education is not requisite for all. I just want to come by it honestly. That is, I cannot in good conscience take the money.
So, we disagree. We are answerable to God alone for our choices. Here Paul is helpful, perhaps. Or maybe, I give too much latitude. I don’t know. Is this meat sacrificed to idols? What’s wrong with it? Eat it! Some can. Some can’t. I am the weaker brother here, I suppose, since I cannot take monies which come from abusing the poor.
Wouldn’t we bear greater witness to the sin/destructiveness of gambling by focusing on the abuse of the poor rather than reducing the issue to whether we feel ok with taking the money or not, which seems a secondary issue.
The greater crime/sin seems, to me, to be the issue that the “idiots” you describe are most generally the poor we are still called to help and have compassion on. Does advocating taking money from “idiots” do this?
By the way, driving home today, in Kentucky, I passed a billboard that stated, “Gambling Can Be Addictive . . . Call . . . for help.” The absolute irony of this reminded me again of our conversations.
I hope you take my comments here and above as iron sharpening iron. I appreciate your candor.
Kelly
Kelly,
Iron on iron. Good word.
Leave your response!
Want your picture to show here? Get your own Gravatar!
Recent Posts
Most Commented
Hot Topics