People who play the lottery often have all sorts of quote-unquote systems, about lucky numbers and stores and times to buy tickets. But they also know their odds are long. In some cases they’ve been playing for years, spending $50, $100 a week. You’d expect them to be irrational, but they aren’t. These people are clear-eyed about the math, and they understand that their chances of winning are slim.
They’re just hoping that they’ll win enough money to solve their problems. God’s Word warns us not to covet wealth and things that money can buy (see Ecclesiastes 5:10). Lotteries are a form of gambling that relies on chance to determine the winners, and it’s tempting for many people to think they’ll be able to get rich quickly by purchasing a ticket or two.
What’s more, the money they spend on lottery tickets adds up to billions in government receipts that could be used for other needs like roads, schools and retirement savings. Instead, people should invest the money they would otherwise use for a lottery ticket in a diversified investment portfolio to help them reach their financial goals. This will ensure that they have the resources to cover unexpected expenses, pay off credit card debt, and save for future emergencies. Then, they’ll be able to focus their attention on God and his plans for them. (See Proverbs 23:5.) The key is diligence, not luck. Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth (see Proverbs 10:4).