As the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday and Wednesday’s Powerball haul soared to a combined $2.22 billion over the weekend, Christians remained deeply divided over whether they should participate in the gamble even as studies show lotteries disproportionately attract those who can least afford it.
“Lord, please help the saints to resist the devil and not play the lottery! Lord that’s a lot of money lol. ‘Loose Here!'” Pastor DeMarlon J. Nixon of Freedom Temple Pentecostal Church in Texas quipped in a tweet on Sunday.
Pastor Chad Brown of Chad Brown Ministries says he believes Christians should go ahead and purchase a lottery ticket if that’s what they desire because many churches participate in games of chance outside of lotteries.
“Should believers buy a mega millions ticket ($2)? My answer is YES!! If that’s what they want to do,” Brown said in a Facebook post on Friday.
“You can’t be against the lottery, but your youth department is doing a RAFFLE! Same thing pastor. SAME THING! You can’t be against the lottery and you have a prize of $500 for whoever brings the most people on family and friends day. IJS,” he continued.
NewSpring Church founder Perry Noble, who revealed on his blog that he bought 10 lottery tickets in January 2016 in a bid to win a $1.3 billion jackpot, also shared his perspective on gambling.
“Is gambling bad? Yep…but sex can be as well!! Do we get rid of that too?” he asked.
“I’ve heard the heartbreaking…
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