If I Won the Lottery, I Would . . .

Many people buy lottery tickets.  Are you one of them?  It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and frenzy when its numbers get high.  My friends and I play what my hubby calls the “What if” game.  What if we won the lottery?  What would we each do?

To begin with we would first need to buy a ticket.  Just like their add says, you can’t win if you don’t play.  As much fun as winning would be I don’t think donating my money would make me happy.   So for our game, I need to pretend I would buy a ticket.

We all decided a lot of the money would be put to good use.  We would help family and friends in need.  I see you nodding.  You would do the same.   Charities and churches would get donations, too.  We weren’t all selfless.  We would keep some for ourselves.

Some wanted to travel the world and others wanted nice homes.  One friend wanted a mountain home, beach home, and another near family.  We all wanted different things but decided we wanted the luxury of not working and having enough money to do whatever we wanted.  Notice I said whatever we wanted and not what we needed.

What would winning the lottery do to our spiritual life?  Would we continue to attend church each weekend or would we be too busy traveling?  If things were always going our way, would we talk to our Heavenly Father as much as we do now?  Our daily prayer time might not be as important if we had most all of the things we thought we wanted.  Would we still want more?  With all of our extra time where would God fit in?

Money used correctly does help a lot of people.  Wanting and obsessing over money tears  marriages and families apart.  It can destroy a person.  Scripture tells us in Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

It is cliche but true.  Money cannot buy everything.  Think about all the true blessings in your life.  They are priceless.  You didn’t purchase them and they most likely cannot be replaced with money.

Be aware of what you have that cannot be bought.  Take inventory of your own personal lottery winnings.  Are you kind?  Would people say you have integrity and morals?  Do people trust you?  Are you loved?   You, my friend have won!

Other life lottery blessings would be a loving, supporting family.  Friends that are always there for you and a circle of prayer warriors to intercede on your behalf are irreplaceable.  Money cannot buy any of these.

I agree the “What if I won the Lottery” game is fun, but is it really something Abba wants for our life?  We are His children and parents know from experience it is not always good to allow children to receive everything they want.  For instance what happens when kids have too much candy, too little sleep, or play unattended?

Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us and what would happen if we won the lottery.  What do you think would happen?  Would we still be the same people and be as close to Him?  If not, I say keep the money and just give me Jesus.