Church Raffles - Pro or Con?

[in1accord]

I was at an Apostolic church a while back that was having a raffle as a small fund raiser. The pastor was promoting the raffle as a form of outreach. (The individual who won the raffle drove over an hour to come back and pick up the prize). Having been taught most of my life that we don't participate in games of chance of any kind, I looked to the scriptures and, of course, found no scripture that said "thou shalt not gamble". I've read various opinions on the matter....pro & con. If anyone is interested in sharing their viewpoint on the subject, please provide scripture references to support it.

[Truthseeker]

There's is no scripture for it, so it boils down to personal conviction.

[MissBrattified]

Neutral.

[BeenThinkin]

Depends on whether I won or lost!

Dead Horse Raffle

Young Chuck moved to Montana and bought a horse from a farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the horse the next day. The next Day he drove up and said, "Sorry, Son, but I have some bad news, The horse died."
Chuck replied, "Well, then just give me my money back."
The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."
Chuck said, "Ok, then, just bring me the dead horse."
The farmer asked, "What ya gonna do with him?"
Chuck said, "I'm going to raffle him off."
The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead horse!"
Chuck said, "Sure I can. Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead."
A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked, "What happened With that dead horse?"
Chuck said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a Piece and made a net profit of $898.00."
The farmer said, "Didn't anyone complain?"
Chuck said, "Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back."
Chuck grew up and now works for the government.

Been Thinkin

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by in1accord

I was at an Apostolic church a while back that was having a raffle as a small fund raiser. The pastor was promoting the raffle as a form of outreach. (The individual who won the raffle drove over an hour to come back and pick up the prize). Having been taught most of my life that we don't participate in games of chance of any kind, I looked to the scriptures and, of course, found no scripture that said "thou shalt not gamble". I've read various opinions on the matter....pro & con. If anyone is interested in sharing their viewpoint on the subject, please provide scripture references to support it.

From what I understand the teaching gambling has to do with being good stewards over your finances

[shag]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

From what I understand the teaching gambling has to do with being good stewards over your finances

That's right. You just gotta know when da hold'm, and know when da fold'm...

[seguidordejesus]

I don't do raffles unless I just want to donate and don't care about the prize.

[CC1]

I always found it interesting that many Christians treat gambling in any form as if it is an outright sin listed in the Bible when in fact there is no direct Biblical prohibtion against it.

Not to mention that "casting lots" (drawing the short stick) was used as a method of selection in a pretty important biblical account. Something that the AMF does today I believe in selecting their GS or chairman or whatever they call their leader from among a few nominees.

[RandyWayne]

My Blackjack and Craps system will make anyone rich!

Just send $24.95 to the address below to learn how!

...............
...............
...............

[Jacob's Ladder]

Lucky number 7........Don't fail me now! The Lord's blessed number!