A competition based on chance, in which numbered tickets are sold and prizes are awarded to the holders of numbers drawn at random. A lottery may also be a method of raising money, especially for public or charitable purposes.

Lotteries have a long history, dating back centuries. The Old Testament instructed Moses to conduct a census of Israel and distribute land by lots, while Roman emperors used lotteries to give away property and slaves during Saturnalian feasts. The first American state lotteries were introduced in the 1700s, and Benjamin Franklin ran one to fund his colony’s militia. In 1748 John Hancock organized a lottery to build Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and George Washington ran one in the 1770s to help finance a road over a mountain pass in Virginia.

Modern lottery marketing tactics rely on an inextricable human desire to gamble for large sums of money with a minimal amount of risk. While it’s true that winning the lottery is not impossible, a few important things must be taken into consideration before anyone decides to purchase tickets. The odds of winning are extremely long, and it is possible to lose more than you spent. There are also ethical issues involved with the promotion of gambling, such as its negative impact on the poor and problem gamblers.

Despite their long odds, people continue to buy lottery tickets. The reason is simple: they are addicted to the hope of getting rich quickly. Many people use the lottery as a way to supplement their incomes or pay off debt. In addition, they are convinced that a few lucky numbers will change their lives for the better. The truth is that winning the lottery is not a guarantee of wealth and even those who do win must work hard to keep their riches. God wants us to earn our money honestly through diligence (Proverbs 23:5) and to not covet the possessions of others.

In the end, we must ask ourselves if we want to live like rats in cages or to enjoy God’s gifts. The answer to this question is not so easy, but we must remember that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Whether we’re buying lottery tickets or contributing to our favorite cause, let us always remember that giving to the kingdom of God is more valuable than anything we could ever acquire in this world. In fact, the only thing more valuable than a life of abundance is a lifetime of peace and joy. We cannot obtain this joy by coveting what others have or by trying to win the lottery. Instead, we must place our trust in God and his Word. —Dr. David E. Wells, Professor of Theology and Christian Ethics, Providence Theological Seminary. Reprinted with permission from the July 2013 issue of “The Bible Today.” Bible Today, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information on Bible Today, visit www.bibletodayonline.com. Please send all comments to [email protected].