MORNING DEW: 21-10-2018
TOPIC: LOTTO IS AN ACT OF COVETOUSNESS, AVOID IT (PART 1)
TEXT: 1 JOHN 2:15-17
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
WHAT IS LOTTO?
Lotto is a game of chance. It is a gambling game.
WHAT IS GAMBLING?
Gambling is a bet or wager.
It is also defined as a significant risk, undertaken with a potential gain.
It is a risky venture game.
Bet is a wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who correctly forecast the outcome of an event).
Covetousness is extremely keen or desirous, especially to obtain and possess something belonging to someone else; or avaricious.”
Lotto is a lazy game where some people don’t want to work but engage in this risk ventures.
In the book of Proverbs 13:11, a “wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Which means that when you acquire wealth through no work done it shall be diminished, scattered, destroyed, vanished, disappeared.
This is only done by people who love this world, who want to become friends to this world. And becoming friends to this world means becoming enemies to God. Being enemies to God means candidates of the Lake of Fire.
The Bible admonishes contentment. Those who are not content go into lottery, because they want more.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5).
So beloved, be content of the little you have.
1 Timothy 6:10 says that “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.”
Only those who love money go into lottery. And be reminded that whatever you love is your god. Love has to do with the heart that is why God doesn’t need any part of your body except your HEART.
If you love the Lord with all your heart, it means your whole being love the Lord. Your heart cannot be divided, you either love God or that particular thing, period!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 that “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
Read this; “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Proverbs 1:19 has to say this “So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; (which) taketh away the life of the owners thereof.”
Greed makes people go for lottery which is not found in God’s language.
Jesus says in Luke 12:15; “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
I hear people say there is no lotto in the Bible, yes, maybe the word “lotto” cannot be found in the Bible, but scriptures can prove it.
Lotto is just like any other sin God hates.
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).
Have you noticed the word “covetousness?”
The meaning of covetousness is; extremely keen or desirous, especially to obtain and possess something belonging to someone else; or avaricious.”
Avaricious means; “extremely greedy for wealth or material gain; immoderately desirous of accumulating property.”
Besides, covetousness is an idolatry per the scripture we just read, and all idolaters will go to the Lake of Fire. Read Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:18-21).
You are to work and support the people as a Christian, not to gamble and support them.
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Beloved, if you so cherish your soul and want to go to heaven, avoid lotto, for the scripture says in Ephesians 4:28; “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
You should be able to tell God;
“I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” (Acts 20:33-35).
God bless you for your repentance.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Prayer: Forgive me Lord, for I was acting out of ignorance, henceforth, no more covetousness, in Jesus’ Name!
Amen!
Rev. John Wundengba
0209422159
