Yesterday, I wrote an article about why you should not play the lottery. As I have read the reaction to this article, it got me thinking:
- One of the things I commonly see is how people are going to do such good things with the money when they win the lottery. My point is that you can already do good with the money God has already given you. And when you combine your efforts, the good you do is multiplied.
- The other thing I have seen is a lament about how all the money spent on lottery tickets could have done such good if it had not been spent on lottery tickets.
The problem with both of these sentiments is that they are just talk. They are good intentions that are never fulfilled.
So, I want to offer a challenge for you to consider. Instead of talking about doing good – do some good! Instead of buying lottery tickets – use that money to actually make a difference. You might think it is only $2 and it will not make that much of a difference. But most people don’t buy just one ticket. So maybe instead of $2 it is $10 or $20.
Now take the money that you might use towards lottery tickets and donate it to a worthy cause. I am sure you can think of one or two. It might be your church, it might be a homeless shelter, it might be food bank, it might be a foreign mission. If only 10 of us were to take the challenge at $10 that is now $100 going to good.
Don’t wait, do it now. If you put it off there is a good chance you will forget.
Finally, share this challenge so the good we do can be multiplied. And feel free to share in the comments the worthy cause you’ve helped.
Harold Hein says
Imagine all the money spent on buying lottery tickets!…..if it were used for the cause of the mission of the
saving Gospel of Christ.!! (h.a.h.)
Terry Noble says
I love it. Don’t just talk rather act by doing some good. By directing money to an area of need you know it will have some positive impact. Money for lotteries is lost or wasted. After all it is really God’s money in the first place. My guess is He would rather see those dollars put to better use.
Phil Ressler says
Thanks Larry. I think we are going to sit down and talk about this together as a family and make this a family project. We will give the kids the option for us to buy lottery tickets or use the money for good. Of course we will guide their decision.
M PHYLLIS WETTERS says
Wonderful idea- Rarely do I buy chances . I fine so many things to support. . One is an orphanage in Haiti.
I shall mail my letter today!
Sharon Grizzle says
The $2 could buy coffee and a bagel for a homeless person. $2 could be how much the person in front of you at the food store is short to pay for their order.
‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
I love Phyllis’ idea- an orphanage in Haiti!
Phil Ressler says
Amen. We don’t need a billion dollars to do good. Let’s do good now. Help get the word out and share this!
Cheri says
I will make a donation to the homeless mission at my church. Love this idea and pray that others will get as excited about it as they might about buying a lottery ticket.
Laura says
I spend a few dollars every week sticking my glove box with on the go meals for people I encounter who are hungry. The best part is when I’m with my son and he says, ” Mom, pull over so we can give that person some food.”
Nicole says
This is an Awesome idea! My husband and I are the facilitators for an organization called Family Promise. Through this program, we host homeless families at our church for a week. We can use this idea as a way to generate funds for supplies and other expenses. I Love your Blog. Keep doing what you’re doing and God Bless.