Interesting conversation with a well known Elder in Brooklyn (page 4)

Blueblades

He could say that he was also playing the stock market just like the Society does.Both are risk investments.

Blueblades.

Boy, what a perfect way to go out in a blaze of glory! Hit a big lottery, have one's face plastered all over the media, wiht a banner headline in the newspaper: ``JW elder hits it big in the lottery!"

minimus

Room, everyone would say, (like they did with Michael Jackson), "But he's NOT a Jehovah's Witness. Jehovah's Witnesses don't gamble".

jgnat

One of the saddest images I carry with me was the sight of an older woman, a senior, arguing with a bank machine when it would give her no more money. In her hand were a bundle of expired lottery tickets.

Last week at the public talk, an elder mocked the world's materialism, as people labour away to save "a million dollars". He laughed. As if anybody would need that much money. Um, well, yeah, if you factor in inflation, retirement at sixty-five, and the real possibility of living past your eighties. Would you prefer to end your days in a modern facility with round-the-clock nursing care, or a shabby state-run facility whose attendants don't have time to change you out of your jammies?

Saving for a million dollars is not even that hard these days. You can start small, start young, and let your investments compound. That is what my children are doing.

But I guess Witnesses are taught young that Higher Powers are in charge of their future. Do witnesses have a hard time taking personal responsibility for their future?

Happy Guy :)

"He could say that he was also playing the stock market just like the Society does.Both are risk investments.

Blueblades"

He could say that, Blueblades, but then he would be compounding his impropoer bahaviour with a lie. Buying a lottery ticket is not considered "investing in the stock market" and to say so is incorrect.

blondie

WTS Official Position on Lottery

***

w89 7/15 p. 30 Questions From Readers

· Is it appropriate for a Christian to buy lottery tickets as mere entertainment if the proceeds go to a charity?

The Bible certainly does not discourage fitting entertainment, for Jehovah is "the happy God." (1 Timothy 1:11) His people can enjoy music, modest dancing, moderate eating or drinking, and balanced sports and games. (Psalm 150:4; Ecclesiastes 2:24) However, gambling clearly conflicts with God?s wise counsel, and this is true of sharing in lotteries.

Exactly what is a lottery? It involves buying tickets to have a chance to win prizes. Winners are determined by a drawing or some random way of choosing a number. Often there is one huge prize, perhaps amounting to millions of dollars, pesos, or pounds. The appeal of such an enormous prize is so great that lotteries have become "the most widespread form of gambling." (The World Book Encyclopedia) Hundreds of millions of people gamble by means of lotteries.

Some people have reasoned that being involved in a lottery is not wrong or bad because the cost of a ticket (chance) may be small, because those participating do so willingly, and because some of the proceeds may be used for a charitable purpose, such as helping the poor. How valid is such reasoning?

While some claim that buying a lottery ticket is simple, low-cost entertainment, there is no denying the greed factor. People buy lottery tickets hoping to win a lot of money. This certainly runs in the face of divine counsel against greediness, which can be such a serious vice that it can prevent a person from ?inheriting God?s kingdom.? Hence, if a Christian manifested persistent greed by gambling, he could be excluded from the congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10) The Bible says: "An inheritance is being got by greed at first, but its own future will not be blessed." (Proverbs 20:21) If a Christian felt any impulse to ?take a chance? in a lottery, he should think seriously about the greed on which the lottery is based. Ephesians 5:3 says that ?greediness should not even be mentioned among us,? much less given in to by a Christian.

The largest portion of lottery players are usually found in poor communities. So even if the cost of a ticket is small, funds are being diverted that ought to go toward genuine family needs?more food, adequate clothing, improved medical care. A person who claims to be a Christian but neglects such family needs "is worse than a person without faith."?1 Timothy 5:8.

Even if the cost of a lottery ticket would not significantly harm someone?s personal or family finances, that does not mean that others are not harmed. Why so? Because almost anyone buying a lottery ticket would like to win. From where would his prize money come? If his ticket cost ten pesos and the prize is a million pesos, that means that he takes the ticket money from a hundred thousand other people. Does that harmonize with God?s counsel against coveting others? valuables? (Deuteronomy 5:21) In fact, his prize will involve money taken from many more people, for far more than a hundred thousand tickets will have to be sold. A goodly amount of ticket money must go for administrative costs, as well as some to the charitable purpose that is trumpeted as the rationale for the lottery. So even if a person can afford the ten pesos for his own ticket, what about vast numbers of others? Moreover, his winning will probably be publicized, moving many to begin playing the lottery or buying more tickets, even if they cannot afford this.

There is also no denying that bound up with the lottery is the dream of winning money without working for it. Yes, the lottery encourages laziness or appeals to it. The Bible, though, urges God?s people to be thrifty, industrious, and hardworking. Rather than promote a ?get something for nothing? spirit, it advises: "If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat."?2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 13:4; 20:4; 21:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12.

That others may share in a lottery of their own volition and that it is legal does not justify involvement in it by Christians. Some governments legalize other forms of gambling, as well as prostitution and polygamy. Though such things may be legal and many people are willingly involved in them, this does not mean that such activities are proper in God?s sight. Christians, rather, strive to reflect David?s view: "Make me know your own ways, O Jehovah; teach me your own paths. Make me walk in your truth and teach me, for you are my God of salvation."?Psalm 25:4, 5.

If a Christian genuinely wants to help the poor, handicapped, or elderly, he certainly can do so directly or in a way that does not involve gambling.

[Footnotes]

Though widely known as a lottery, this type of gambling may also be called a pool, sweepstakes, raffle, or some local name.

Soledad

if the Lord provides for the sparrows of the field wont he provide for His faithful witnesses?

excellent point!!

DaCheech

Last week at the public talk, an elder mocked the world's materialism, as people labour away to save "a million dollars". He laughed. As if anybody would need that much money. Um, well, yeah, if you factor in inflation, retirement at sixty-five, and the real possibility of living past your eighties. Would you prefer to end your days in a modern facility with round-the-clock nursing care, or a shabby state-run facility whose attendants don't have time to change you out of your jammies?

They don't care for the poor elderly woman who cannot even drive her/himself to the meetings because they are poor health/poor period. Would it not be nice to be rich, and call a taxi? to go to meetings?

Or maybe retire where your arthritis is better due to good weather? (Beth-Sarim in San Diego)?

Rabbit

I wonder if a JW does win the lottery...will they get in front of the cameras like so many...and thank their God ?

Interesting conversation with a well known Elder in Brooklyn

Confucious