Church Rejects Donation from Lottery Winner

[kalt]

This only works if you believe that legal gambling is the equivalent of murder and illegal drug dealing.

I don’t like gambling, but I think there are other industries that are worse. Tobacco, for one. Would this minister refuse money from a parishoner who won money from RJ Reynolds in a customers’ constest?

Based on your reasoning, let’s say that a guy is a hitman and is paid $100,000 to kill someone. He decides to donate $10,000 to church. The pastor knows where the money came from. Should he take it? Let’s say, a drug dealer is donating 10% of his profits to his local church. Again the pastor knows it was drug money. Should he take it? The pastor would be condoning what Baptist think is sinful if he took the money. It would be like him saying. “What you did was sinful, but since it will help so many people out, it is ok.”

 

[a_priori]

I don’t know the manner Mr. Powell put his money in the collection plate, and neither that i would judge him nor the pastor. Jesus told us that whatever given by your right hand, must not be known by your left hand. If the money was given at the return of (voluntarily or not) being fame to Mr. Powell, then there must be something logical by the rejection. Perhaps, Mr. Powell should gave the money to the pastor privately, or perhaps just transfered it secretly to the church.

That’s a fair point. Also…

“He answered, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.’ Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’” -Mark 2:25-27

 

[puzzleannie]

Why would anyone consider the lottery wrong? Makes no sense to me. .

not the point of the story, which is about the actions of one pastor whose denom does preach gambling is wrong, and teaches by example that believing something is immoral implies one will act, even to this drastic extent, in rejecting goods that come from the immorality.

 

[Lee_M]

This only works if you believe that legal gambling is the equivalent of murder and illegal drug dealing.

I don’t like gambling, but I think there are other industries that are worse. Tobacco, for one. Would this minister refuse money from a parishoner who won money from RJ Reynolds in a customers’ constest?

No it doesn’t only work if I think gambling is equivalent to murder and illegal drug dealing. It is what the other religion thinks and they believe gambling is a grave sin. I can’t help that you personally think tobacco use is wronger than gambling. It is what the other religion thinks. The Pastor had every right and he actually had an obligation to not take the money.

 

[Lee_M]

Yes, your point is good, but where do we draw the line? Does the box boy at the grocery store refuse his paycheck because a drug dealer bought a loaf a bread with his ill-gotten gains? By extension, the box boy is accepting the ill-gotten money.

You’re comparing apples to oranges. The box boy at the grocery store is being paid by an employer for work that he performed at the grocery store. He has no control on where the money comes from. The Pastor on the other hand knew that the money came from what their religion believes is a grave sin. It is his obligation as the spiritual leader of his church to set an example and not take the money that resulted from sinful activities.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Bravo to the winner for remembering his stewardship of all that the Lord has given. It is too often that greed and dollar signs cloud our duty. :clapping:

… …a good point that could be overlooked.

Subject of this thread reminds me of a joke I heard.

A man approaches a Catholic priest asking him to say a Mass as his dog had died. Father told the man off, stating that animals do not have souls and he categorically would not say a Mass for a deceased pet. The man replies: “Gee, Father, I was really hoping that you would as that other Christian Church denomination turned down my donation of $6000 too to pray for my dog!”
Father quickly replied “Oh, why didn’t you tell me in the first place that your dog was Catholic. Of course I will say a Mass for your pet!”

Hi there FF (FickleFreckled)!

The winner could still support his church by donating anonymously to their mission work or charity the church supports.

Jolly good point too! Anonymous donations are good!

 

[FickleFreckled]

[No message]

 

[kalt]

No it doesn’t only work if I think gambling is equivalent to murder and illegal drug dealing. It is what the other religion thinks and they believe gambling is a grave sin. I can’t help that you personally think tobacco use is wronger than gambling. It is what the other religion thinks. The Pastor had every right and he actually had an obligation to not take the money.

Well I think it’s “wronger”, and I’m the “decider”.

Taking money from gambling winnings was compared to taking money from a hitman and a drug dealer, as if they are morally equivalent.

The comparison only works if you think that buying a lottery ticket is wrong, and not only that, but that it’s the equivalent of knocking someone off or dealing crack to 13 yr olds.

The comparison is ludicrous, imo.

The minister is free to think as he pleases.

The lottery winner can come to the CC anytime. We have sensible views on alcohol and gambling.

 

[kalt]

You’re comparing apples to oranges. The box boy at the grocery store is being paid by an employer for work that he performed at the grocery store. He has no control on where the money comes from. The Pastor on the other hand knew that the money came from what their religion believes is a grave sin. It is his obligation as the spiritual leader of his church to set an example and not take the money that resulted from sinful activities.

Yes, there’s what they believe. And then there’s reality.

No thinking person would compare buying a lottery ticket to killing someone for money or dealing illegal drugs. C’mon.

 

[kalt]

I forgot to say how much respect I have for the person who won the lottery.

 

[cathopologist]

Folks, do you realize something about this thread?

Catholics and Protestants appreciating either or both the donor and the pastor of the church. Does not it feel nice, for at least not fighting over dogmas or doctrines for a change?

 

[a_priori]

The Pastor on the other hand knew that the money came from what their religion believes is a grave sin.

I see it as making a de facto voluntary tax payment when I buy a lottery ticket. You know, to help maintain roads and build schools. Is that bad?

It’s sort of like church bingo for a greater cause. Is that really bad when you know your money is going to something positive?

“Grave sin”? I don’t get it.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

No thinking person would compare buying a lottery ticket to killing someone for money or dealing illegal drugs. C’mon.

Actually, that is what many Fundamentalists and Evangelicals believe. They don’t believe in different ‘levels’ of sin, like Mortal or Venial. All sin is the same. So gambling and drinking IS just as serious as murder. Of course, those of the eternal security/osas variety (most Baptists, I believe, other than the Freewill Baptists) don’t believe that you can lose your salvation, so no matter what sin this man committed, gambling, drinking, fornication, yes, even murder, if he was “saved” it’s already forgiven.

All that being said, it was very upstanding of the pastor not to go against his beliefs. Kinda like when my former Archbishop, Raymond Burke, resigned from the board of Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital because they were having known abortion and embryonic stem cell research supporter Sheryl Crow play their fundraiser. Of course, the media bashed him for it (like they bashed him for everything he did. Sigh)

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Lee_M]

I see it as making a de facto voluntary tax payment when I buy a lottery ticket. You know, to help maintain roads and build schools. Is that bad?

It’s sort of like church bingo for a greater cause. Is that really bad when you know your money is going to something positive?

“Grave sin”? I don’t get it.

I don’t believe buying a lottery ticket is a sin. But I respect other people’s religions and many Baptist believe gambling is a serious sin. Please don’t insult other’s people religions as we know how it is when people insult ours.

 

[Lee_M]

Yes, there’s what they believe. And then there’s reality.

No thinking person would compare buying a lottery ticket to killing someone for money or dealing illegal drugs. C’mon.

I don’t believe buying a lottery ticket is a sin and no I don’t believe it is as bad as drug money or blood money. The point I’m making is that the Pastor’s religion believes it is a very serious sin to gamble. What we believe and what other people believe are sins are different. Give the guy a break. He had every right to turn down the donation and I think he was admirable for standing up for what he and his religion believe.

 

[kalt]

I don’t believe buying a lottery ticket is a sin and no I don’t believe it is as bad as drug money or blood money. The point I’m making is that the Pastor’s religion believes it is a very serious sin to gamble. What we believe and what other people believe are sins are different. Give the guy a break. He had every right to turn down the donation and I think he was admirable for standing up for what he and his religion believe.

I don’t know what problem you have with this.

You compared gambling to murder for hire and illegal drug dealing.

The comparison doesn’t work, because the 3 aren’t equal.

Some people think gambling is bad, that’s true. But the comparison you made is apples and oranges.

Comparing gambing money to money made from a dance marathon would make more sense.

Most of society doesn’t frown on gambling or dancing, while a minority consider them sinful.

The minister’s not taking the gambling money can be compared to his not taking dance marathon winnings–2 legal things that the majority of society don’t disapprove of.

I know that some people think that dancing, drinking, and gambling are sins. But to compare that belief to the Catholic belief (and their belief) that all life is sacred is really off the mark.

The minister has the right to accept or reject money as he sees fit. I never said that he didn’t (that was another poster). My argument about the comparison you made in trying to make your point.

IMO, your point was valid and correct w/o comparing gambling to murder.

 

[gcnuss]

Wow!! What a problem to have to deal with!!!

There are quite a few possible facets to this story, most of which are not obvious from the basic facts. Certainly, we have a pastor who is faithful to the teachings of his church. And, we have a parishioner who is faithful to his understanding of tithing. It is sad, in a way, that these two faithful responses run head-on into each other.

What then, is the parishioner to do? Let’s say that he has been giving $50 per week to the church. What happens if he decides to up that to $200 – or $500 – per week? Will the pastor come to him and tell him that he isn’t allowed to raise his weekly offering because the money obviously comes from gambling?

What if, as some big winners do, the man gives up his job and lives on investments made with his winnings? Will the pastor then refuse any offerings from him on the basis that it is all gambling money?

Another issue is what happens to a congregation that receives a large sum of money. Human nature being what it is, such a gift has the potential to do great damage as the members of the congregation deal with a sum that may be much more than the annual budget of the congregation. (Note: I have no idea of the size nor of the budget of the congregation in this story.) I have known congregations where the weekly offering dropped precipitously after such a gift on the assumption that “the church doesn’t need our money now.” Clearly, this is a poor understanding of stewardship.

All of the above is, of course, mere speculation. However, I hope that the winner doesn’t give up trying to do some good with his windfall. As others have noted, there are many charities that could benefit from contributions.

 

[rtconstant]

Hats off to the pastor for sticking to his convictions. I bet he had really fun meetings with the deacons and trustees trying to explain that decision lol.

Secondly hats off to the parishoner for desiring to tithe to his church.

It may have worked out for them in the long run though. I’ve been in churches where that a sudden influx of money caused nothing but problems. When, money gets involved people can lose their minds. On the up side though it looks like these guys are not in danger of that

 

[Lee_M]

Since he wants to keep tithing, he could donate the money to a non-profit organization to help people with gambling problems.

 

[Lee_M]

I don’t know what problem you have with this.

You compared gambling to murder for hire and illegal drug dealing.

The comparison doesn’t work, because the 3 aren’t equal.

Some people think gambling is bad, that’s true. But the comparison you made is apples and oranges.

Comparing gambing money to money made from a dance marathon would make more sense.

Most of society doesn’t frown on gambling or dancing, while a minority consider them sinful.

The minister’s not taking the gambling money can be compared to his not taking dance marathon winnings–2 legal things that the majority of society don’t disapprove of.

I know that some people think that dancing, drinking, and gambling are sins. But to compare that belief to the Catholic belief (and their belief) that all life is sacred is really off the mark.

The minister has the right to accept or reject money as he sees fit. I never said that he didn’t (that was another poster). My argument about the comparison you made in trying to make your point.

IMO, your point was valid and correct w/o comparing gambling to murder.

I don’t have a problem with it.

Get over it! How many dang times do I have to state that I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE GAMBLING. Some religions believe gambling is a grave sin. I know that it is not equal to murder or drugs. I know Catholics don’t believe gambling is a sin. I know gambling is legal. Abortion is legal but Catholics believe Abortion to be a grave sin. Gambling is legal, but some religions believe gambling to be a grave sin. This is between this guy and his pastor. If the pastor believes it to be a grave sin, he is respectable to have turned down the money. For crying out loud, quit beating a dead horse.