Is playing the powerball a sin? is it wrong?

Question

playing powerball is gambling isn't it? then is gambling a sin? isn't it the same as life of making choices and not knowing what lies ahead? on the pros of this conflicting question of mines is that the powerball are for educational purposes. the cons are maybe the jackpot falls into the wrong hands.

Answer 1

I'm not sure where the Bible makes any assertion that gambling is a sin.  A lot of Christians say it, but I'd love to see some scripture that backs it up.

But there are no two ways about it, the lottery IS gambling, period.  So if your particular sect of Christianity tells you that gambling is a sin (which is incorrect) then you should not play.

For the logical free thinkers buying a lottery ticket is really just a charitable donation to good causes, with the tiny chance of getting rich.

Now the Bible has various references to gambling that are quite positive.  Below are some quotes in which God instructs people to draw lots (basically the old days version of a raffle ie a game of chance).

Consider too the book of Job, where God and Satan get into a wager about what would happen if Satan tortures Job and kills his family.  God enthusiastically allows this to happen based on a bet.

Finally, consider that if you win Powerball, you will be rich.  And Jesus made it quite clear that rich people don't go to Heaven.

Numbers 26:52-56

    And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying ... the land shall be divided by lot.

Joshua 14:2

    By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Joshua 18:6

    Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

Joshua 19:51

    These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD.

Joshua 21:8

    And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

1 Chronicles 26:13-14

    And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate. And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.

Nehemiah 10:34

    And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God.

Acts 1:23-26

    And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.... And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  

Answer 2

No but it shoudl be, the house egde is so huge it should be outlawed.  The lottery was conceived as a method of colecting extra government tax dollars, its VERY effective at doing so and your a fool to play it because of the rediulously huge house edge (as onother answers acurately described as being "so huge is not even funny")

Theres a reason its nicknamed "the fools tax"

Its not a sin, but you definately shoudlnt play it, unless playing it will serve some greater good like a side bet where you get layed if you lose because your grilfreind claims to be psychic  and she thinks she picked a winner with her special powers.

Answer 3

Gambling in general is a sin so yes and even if it is little money it's still a sin.

Answer 4

don't play while believing you are ,making an investment

your odds are so far off it isn't funny

Answer 5

   Sin???  Naaa .  I don't think so. If you blow all your hard earned money playing that darn thing ..  then ya might be sinnin.. Toss a couple bucks at it once in a while.. dream about hitting (like most people) and have a good time. Just remember "Some luky dog is going to hit it"

Answer 6

The lottery doesn't require a philosophical discussion, it's not a sin!

On gambling in general, it's only a sin if it's wasteful. Meaning there's nothing wrong with gambling once in awhile, as long as it's kept within reason.