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Question on Sweepstakes

January 19th, 2015

Vincent Trigili
January 18, 2015

So not sure about this question I just got:

“Is it a sin to play publishers clearing house? Where you win 5,000 dollars a week for life. Its free to sign up for it. If I win I would take my tithes out and use the money to better others and myself last. What’s so sinful about that?”

It is not gambling, because there is no risk (at least I think I remember right that all you do is fill out a form and send it in – I have personally never bothered). So I want to say “No” but they way she asks it tells me it is either bothering her, or someone else.

What am I missing here?

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  • Seen by 31
    Ed Chait and Joe Maxey like this.
  • Robert Lowry Hi Vincent, there is probably no thou shalt or thou shalt not Scriptural answer to this, but you might suggest the questioner very seriously read Proverbs 28:20 and 22, Jeremiah 17:11, and 1 Timothy 6:9, and then search their heart and consider whether they still want to bother sending in entries.
    19 hrs · Like · 2
  • Stuart Mattfield I don’t see where it constitutes gambling, but I admit I don’t know everything about it. If they feel like they are sinning when doing it…then that’s another issue.
    19 hrs · Like · 2
  • Carol Coleman My only thought is that the writer really needs to look at her heart. I agree that if it is bothering her heart then she shouldn’t do it. God knows her heart.
    19 hrs · Like
  • Ed Chait Great comments. Also, we know that our hearts are deceitful, so although she may have good motives for the money (if she wins any), there is a risk of not following through and being mastered by more than one master.
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • Christopher Dupre She should at least pause and see where her heart is. If it’s just another symptom of something larger then she shouldn’t. If it’s just an afterthought and there’s nothing to it, then whatever. Only she knows that, though. Tell her to expect many solicitations from various third party entities, though. lol!
    18 hrs · Like · 3
  • Laurel J. Davis So, speaking of risk, is it a sin to invest in the stock market?
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait IMO, ff we know that the love of money is a problem for us, we need to be extra careful about things that concern money.
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • Ed Chait That’s reading more into the question and situation, but I think it bears mentioning in case this person has a gambling problem and is in denial. A person who has a gambling problem asks questions just like this one because if it’s not a sin, they can satisfy their addiction without “sinning”.
    18 hrs · Like
  • Wendyl Leslie “$5,000 a week for life!” Wow! I always go by the old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it is.” I can’t see anything “sinful” about her playing the game; and like others have commented, it’s not up to us to judge her motives or her heart in this matter. The only thing I can see that could be bothersome for her if she does enter the sweepstakes, is how she’s going to deal with the realization that she didn’t win. Is she going to blame God or will she chalk it up as a “child’s game.” (see 1 Corinthians 13:11).

    And, yes absolutely, Christopher Dupre, she can definitely expect a slew of solicitations from those third party folks. After all, isn’t that really what it’s all about? The only thing free in this life is the gift of God’s grace.
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • Timothy Craig Munger It’s a sin if you win and I lose…because then I have to deal with jealousy! Seriously, though, I agree, it isn’t sinful. They have good intentions.
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait I’ve had good intentions and really messed things up
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait But I agree that it’s a matter of individual conscience.
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • Timothy Craig Munger Me, too, but the inquirer has a better chance, statistically speaking, of being struck by lightning than winning Publisher’s clearing house, or the lottery. Personally, when I get that it goes into recycling.
    18 hrs · Edited · Like · 1
  • Stuart Mattfield Laurel…I don’t think it’s a sin, but it sure seems to be the Devil’s handiwork…at least with respect to my portfolio….
    18 hrs · Like · 4
  • Wendyl Leslie Yeah, Laurel and Stuart, I personally know many folks who invest in the stock market. Its ups and downs consumes them daily.
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait That’s true Timothy, but her “chance” of winning or losing has no bearing on the condition of her heart.
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Ed Chait In fact, if I had very little chance of winning something, my desire to win despite the lousy “odds” would raise a red flag.
    18 hrs · Like · 1
  • Stuart Mattfield Wendyl…my comment was meant to be tongue-in-cheek…but that example is something different all together. If money has you so consumed that it takes your focus away from God, then that is idolatry. Jesus obviously spoke regarding the love of money as well. However, for the vast majority who invest conservatively and responsibly…that is not gambling in the traditional sense.
    18 hrs · Like · 3
  • Ed Chait but that’s me
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • William Brenner I’m just going to wait for all that cash from Nigeria someone keeps telling me about. Same odds.
    18 hrs · Like · 4
  • Ed Chait No way! I got a rich relative who just died there too! Small world.
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • William Brenner Are we related Ed?
    18 hrs · Like · 2
  • Ed Chait Possibly, but I’m not sharing.
    17 hrs · Like · 3
  • Wendyl Leslie Hey Vincent Trigili, after all is said and done here, I’d like to see how you responded to this question.
    17 hrs · Like · 3
  • Timothy Craig Munger All right, all right, I have to be serious! I just love thinking about all of the things that could be done with the winnings, for myself and this person. Sometimes we can overread into a question, and that could be the case here. The inquirer gives a glimpse of their heart with the order of their plans for the winnings:tithe, serve, spend. In the answer, Vince can mention the cautions expressed here; greed, self indulgence, etc. Heart isues, motives, and outcome of winning all come into play. If there are any questions on the answerer’s part, ask, and see if they respond.
    17 hrs · Like · 2
  • Ed Chait I definitely overread the question because I projected myself into it and I do have to be watchful when it comes to money. If my motive was to spend a windfall in a godly manner, and I won a large sum, I know that the devil and my human nature would tempt me to keep at least some for myself. Then Satan would use that to accuse me. So I don’t think *I* would put myself in that situation.
    17 hrs · Like · 1
  • Vincent Trigili Hmm, well, I sounds like my original thought lines up with the group at least. The action is not sinful (nor profitible I would say!) but the WHY behind it is the issue. I will have to think on gentle wording but that will be where I focus I think.
    17 hrs · Like · 4
  • Timothy Craig Munger Good, Vincent! I agree with Wendyl, please share your answer with us.
    17 hrs · Like · 2
  • Vincent Trigili I do miss when we used to be able to read everyone else’s responses. I learned a lot in my early ministry days that way!

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