Lottery is a game in which people pay a small amount of money to have the chance to win a larger sum of money through a random drawing. While the casting of lots for decisions and fates has a long history (including several instances in the Bible), lotteries that dish out prizes based on chance have only recently gained popularity. Examples include the lottery for kindergarten admission at a prestigious school or the lottery to occupy a unit in a subsidized housing complex.
One of the main arguments for state governments to adopt lotteries is that they provide a painless source of revenue. However, this argument is flawed because the objective fiscal circumstances of a state do not seem to have much bearing on whether or when a lottery is adopted. Instead, the popularity of a lottery seems to be primarily driven by the degree to which people perceive its proceeds as benefiting a particular public good, such as education.
While playing the lottery might bring in some money, it is important to remember that wealth can only be created through hard work. In fact, God forbids covetousness: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that is his” (Exodus 20:17). In order to gain true wealth, we must work diligently and trust in the Lord with our finances. Otherwise, we will only have the temporary riches of this world (Proverbs 23:5).