LOTTERY ROULETTE

From My Perspective - - -

The Lottery has become one of those promotions that attract people to “take a chance”! Just spend a couple of dollars and one may be the next Jackpot (or Powerball) Winner. There’s a sad story connected to the man who won the largest lottery in 2002. The ABC News Report states: “On Christmas morning in 2002, Jack Whittaker woke up to perhaps the biggest gift imaginable. Whittaker had won the Powerball lottery jackpot -- a whopping $315 million.” When asked how he was doing and what had happened since his winning such a large amount, the report indicates: “Whittaker now says that he regrets winning the lottery. Since I won the lottery, I think there is no control for greed. I think if you have something, there's always someone else that wants it. I wish I'd torn that ticket up. Whittaker had the very best of intentions: He truly wanted to share his good fortune and help people. I wanted to build churches, he said. I wanted to get people food that didn't have food. I wanted to provide clothing for children that needed clothing. Within months, Whittaker was making good on his promise. He handed over $15 million for the construction of two churches alone.

The initial blitz of publicity meant that everyone knew about Whittaker's record-breaking win, and he was besieged by requests for help. In order to deal with these requests, he formed the Jack Whittaker Foundation...There were so many letters that they wouldn't even deliver the mail. It was nothing for us to sit for 10 hours just opening envelopes…” The bottom line to this story is stated: “Whittaker believes that money isn't what makes people happy -- family is -- Family is what is dear…I don't know where it'll end. But you know, I just don't like Jack Whittaker. I don't like the hard heart I've got. I don't like what I've become."

Read about eight other lottery winners who realized sudden wealth was not the answer for their personal happiness or the gaining of substantial/meaningful relationships and friends - - http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/8lotteryWinnersWhoLostTheirMillions.aspx

At a National level, it seems as though the Lottery Mentality is operating at fever pitch. Banks need assistance; Financial Investment Institutions need a bailout; A large Insurance/Investment Company needs a $105 Billion loan; The Automotive Industry is seeking a $50 Billion Loan; Mortgage Holders are facing almost certain foreclosure unless the government steps in; the growing number of unemployed want assistance and benefits; people want health insurance provided; many are anticipating additional monies through a stimulus package amounting to near $150 Billion… The nation itself is racing toward Bankruptcy – but – no one seems ready to say, “We must stop handouts and spending!” Where will this money come from? Who will pay all the dollars in outlays? Can we afford to spend beyond our means? The answer to all of this is to increase Taxes for the top 5% in our country, and to assess the Oil Companies a Surtax (Windfall Profit Tax) on their earnings. But curtail spending? Never! Exercise thrift? Why! Work hard and save before spending? No way!

Consider these things with me - - - and remember the saying from years ago: “A fool and his money are easily parted.” It conveys the thought that “If you spend money carelessly and are cheated easily then you are a fool.” Jesus taught in a very practical way and warned in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." The Wisdom Writer asks in Proverbs 17:16, “Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?” And raises a parallel though in Ecclesiastes 5:10, 13-14 – “Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income…This too is meaningless…I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.” I Timothy 6:10, says:”For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…” We need to be wise custodians of all the Lord entrusts to us! Try it! You’ll be surprised to find that a penny saved is a penny earned. Trust the Lord always!