Tract Number 17

THE LOTTERY VIOLATES BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES BOTH MORALLY AND DOCTRINALLY.

 THE LOTTERY places the state government into the gambling business.  This violates the Biblical role for government and lowers the morals of humanity.

 THE LOTTERY  promotes the idolatrous belief in luck rather than faith in God.  Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

 THE LOTTERY  is unjust.  The poor spend a higher percent of their income on lotteries than the rich.  They think the lottery will make them rich.

 THE LOTTERY promotes covetousness, greed, and the worship of mammon.  Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

 THE LOTTERY causes a huge increase in gambling addictions with the highest percent increase among women and teenagers.  Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

 THE LOTTERY hurts children and families because of gambling related marriage and family problems.  Matthew 18:6, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

 THE LOTTERY increases crime and prison overcrowding problems. It creates new gamblers daily, many of whom will become addicted and commit crimes to fund their addiction.  Woe unto the land that is guilty of this.  Surely, God will not hold this land guiltless.  A nation or people who promotes gambling will stand before God with the blood of many souls upon their hands.

 THE LOTTERY lowers the Biblical standard by promoting “A SOMETHING FOR NOTHING ATTITUDE”.  2 Thessalonians 3:10, "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

 THE LOTTERY promotes a selfish materialistic culture which is against the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Bible.  People will gamble many dollars away on chance, but they would not give one dollar to the spreading of the Gospel.  Matthew 6:20, "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

 God can and will give you victory over this sin of gambling.  Just bow your head and repent from your heart this terrible sin and God will forgive you and give you the victory.