PLAYING THE LOTTERY
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I don’t know about you, but many times in life I’ve felt I lived the old adage, “A day late and a dollar short.” Things don’t always seem to work out as I had hoped or often planned for. To be honest, some of the things I truly desired would have been disastrous in my life if attained.
These thoughts washed back over me a few days ago when my oldest brother called and reminded me of a few years back that he’d purchased some lottery tickets for us. He gave me a brotherly reminder and basically told me that with the jackpot up around 180 million, it was time for a payback.
Oh well, fair is fair. I pulled into the nearest convenience store and gave the government more money, they certainly do need it. I’d never purchased any lottery tickets before so I was a little clumsy as I traded my green paper with printing for their white paper with printing on it.
I mentioned to the girl behind the counter during the transaction what a waste of money I thought it was, she countered with, “You probably won’t be saying that if you win!” I immediately considered her comment and politely added, “I bet all that money would come with its own set of problems!” She responded laughing without hesitation, “Yeah, I’m sure it would, but I wouldn’t mind giving it a try!!!” I chuckled, “I hear ya!”–“Have a good day!” and out the door I went.
I must be getting more mature because in that brief moment of thought during that conversation with the convenience store worker, I really realized that God has given me everything I need. In that moment, I realized all the ugliness that could be possible to go along with that prize.
I’ve heard some real sad and pathetic stories about winning when playing the lottery and the percentage that end up broke and worse off than where they started.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with having money, I just think until it’s earned and understood the chances of hanging onto it are pretty slim. From what I’ve seen in my life the old adage, “A fool and his money are soon parted,” is certainly true. I’ve worn that hat more times in my life than I like to admit.
The point is that sometimes winning isn’t winning and sometimes losing isn’t losing. The Bible speaks of being richly blessed which has significantly more meaning than just money.
I failed and lost many times at many different things in my life, in the end those losses and failures created the map in my life of perseverance and desire I follow with God’s guidance to live a blessed and fulfilled life.
Proof of that is the fact you’re reading this, not because I’m a great writer, but due to the fact that God directs us in ways that bring Him honor and us success. That success isn’t always measured in dollars.
I’ve known people, including ones from my own family that missed out on being rich and famous by what some people call a simple twist of fate. I see it a little different than most others would, I believe God spared them from things that would have directed them away from Him and ultimately ruin their lives, physically and spiritually.
I don’t need a winning lottery ticket to have all I need.
It’s a peaceful place with God to be able to say, “I have all I need.”
Sometimes in life… Less is More…
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 @ 2:11 pm
Amen!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
Thanks Brad…
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 @ 6:51 pm
I just think until it’s earned and understood the chances of hanging onto it are pretty slim…. I think this applies to more than money. It seems I always take better care of things if I have earned them. It does’nt just apply to monetary things either. More often than not the earning part of a blessing is often the learning part of the blessing.
This one really got me thiking of some of the losses and failures in my life that have guided me to where I am today and how blessed I have been in my life.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011 @ 7:06 pm
Are you trying to horn in on my action?!!! I’m tellin you right now I’m stealing your line or at least taking half credit. “The earning part of a blessing is often the learning part of the blessing.” You are a wise man indeed and you’re right in my opinion. You always have something to give of value in any circumstance. I know this by experience. I don’t know if I earned it, but I certainly learned it. We are blessed for the same reasons. Thanks Roger, it’s always an honor to hear from you…
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 3:28 pm
It’s yours….. if you dont mind taking something from a Hack!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 5:53 pm
I guess it takes one to know one!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 5:24 am
This reminds me of the old idea that if all the world’s $ were divided equally among
the people, in a year the rich people would be rich again & the poor, poor .
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 7:05 am
Like most things in life I think it’s about an attitude or a persons perspective on any given subject. I think God gives us discipline and if we practice it we’ll have enough. That’s the hard part though.
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 6:51 am
You know, I’ve always said that I was rich already…because I have people who love me and a God who provides!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 7:06 am
I agree being rich with the priorities of God gives us more than money it gives us rest, thanks for the reminder this morning over at your blog.
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 7:25 am
Floyd, you are so right. Sometimes it helps to be reminded of that! There are some things that money can not buy!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 9:27 am
When we take the time to look back on life and think about the best things in our lives, it usually has something to do with relationships, accomplishments, and what most of us see as “the little things.” I have to remind myself of that fact daily. It’s good to hear from you Jo! I always enjoy your input…
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 8:59 am
Success, power, money are all elements in one’s life that provides the feeling of liberation to most of us. Allows us to seperate from our fellow competitors. If those elements come from hard work vs. a winning lottery ticket I’d say most of us would/should take pride in our accoumplishments and have no reason to feel that becasue of that success we are being directed away from GOD. In the end worldly success does not transfer to the after life. I view being successful on earth like the kids game we played … King of The Hill … it was always short lived!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 9:42 am
I’m with you 100%, money isn’t the root of all evil, “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” So many people in our society try to associate money as being bad. Jesus talked about money more than any other subject in the NT. Money is only a bad thing if we put it before God, that is the first commandment. The problem with being on top or king of the hill, is everyone’s trying to knock you off. Your right it was never easy staying there, but it sure was fun getting there and climbing back up! It wouldn’t have been the same if the teacher would have come out and said, “OK, everyone is going to take turns being King of the Hill”! I feel that is part of the problem with our society today, they believe everyone should get a shot at being “KIng” without any effort. When we were kids we learned about real life pretty quick, you want it, you gotta work for it, no one is going to give it to you. I think that made for a stronger society. God blesses the efforts of the His good willed chosen and after He does He reminds us that “to whom much is given, much is required.”
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 5:14 pm
Amen–I have all I need!
Thursday, March 3, 2011 @ 5:54 pm
That just reminded me of the old hymnal “It Is Well With My Soul”
Monday, March 7, 2011 @ 12:39 pm
Hay Floyd,
Its me . good story but then they always are. love reading them keep them going .
Monday, March 7, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
Thanks you as always for the support Patty, it is greatly appreciated!