Lottery is an activity in which participants pay a small amount of money for the chance to win something valuable. Some governments outlaw it, while others endorse and organize state-run lotteries. In the United States, the lottery contributes billions of dollars annually to the economy. Many people play the lottery for fun, and some hope that it will be their ticket to wealth and success. However, playing the lottery as a get-rich-quick scheme is statistically futile and encourages people to seek temporary riches rather than working for true wealth (Proverbs 23:5). Instead, Christians should work hard for honest wages and pursue God’s blessing of wealth through diligence: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).
Historically, lotteries have been used to fund public goods and services. They are a popular source of tax revenue because players voluntarily spend their money, and the government receives money from them without raising taxes. Nevertheless, critics argue that lottery advertising is deceptive and misleading, inflating jackpot prizes; reducing the value of winnings over time (lottery prizes are paid in annual installments, which erode the current value due to inflation); and inflating the probability of winning (as explained below). In addition, some opponents object to the promotion of gambling as an appropriate function for a government.