In a way that surprises me a bit. I would think that any church would accept a donation, as long as the pastor knows that the money was not stolen. In another way, I'm not really surprised. The public finds ways to get more and more screwy everyday. I understand that gambling is looked down upon, Jesus did not like gambling. But is that really the reason that the money was not accepted?

I'm sure there's plenty of money from worse sources in collection plates.

I'd be happy to take his offering. Yes sir!

Good for them! Way to stick by their priciples.

It might be frowning upon gambling, and it might be something else, I used to belong to a church that frowned upon LARGE tithing, because they had a problem with that member now thinking they had a say in where the money was spent.

I think it is commendable that they stood by what they "preach" and turned down the money.

My pastor would call it tainted money.

He could donate it to the Church of the Poor College Student.

Should a church turn down the donations from a member who owns a bar or a liquor store, or a woman who makes money as an exotic dancer? If the guys who run Blackwater donate to your church do you accept their money?

There is always going to be a gray area there. I know that there have been plenty of new christians who have donated money from interesting jobs that they later understood were not good options.

I don't think it really matters where the money comes from; he legally won the money so it has not been stolen or anything.

It's the legallity that is at issue, it's the moral implications. If you preach that gambling is wrong, and then you accept money from someone who has won a large amount gambling, that sends a mixed signal. I would think the church would have a problem with accepting money from an exoctic dancer, but I don't see the problem accepting donations a bar owner.

Heres a question for Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall.
If a man robs a bank and kills a few people, would you still except the money he gives you? After all you did say, "When it comes to giving back, does it matter where the dough comes from" Why dont you stick to what your kind are good at, child molesting and leading people down your path and not gods

I'd be willing to bet, hah, that it was the LDS church. They have made it clear that the only money they wish to be tithed is money that is earned honestly. As they do not condone gambling, as it will ultimately ruin a family and/or become very destructive, they refuse to take any portion in tithing. But with it's membership in the 10's of millions, 600,000 is pocket change and not really newsworthy. Best wishes to the winner, and God bless the church that stands by it's standards.

He did the right thing to try and give to his church PERIOD. If he asked God what should he do with that money the first answer he would get it give it away.

"I’m against the lottery, but if one of my members won. . . . I wish and hope he would give 10 percent to the church,” said Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall of the El-Beth Divine Holiness Church. “We are in the process now of building a youth center, and you would be surprised at the people that can be helped with $600,000.”

For me, this quotes encapsulates corruption. A person says "I'm against this evil/immoral thing [the lottery in this case] but it's so much money and look at the good cause that the money will be used for." And hence he or she justifies compromising their morality.

How many politicians have used similar logic when they say "I'll let this oil company add these renovations to my home because all the years of service I've given to my state/country justify it." How many church leaders and televangelists have been guilty over the years of having been corrupted by the same kind of logic? It starts small and then a small justification leads to a bigger one and a bigger one and so on.

One could argue, of course, that religious standards tend to be to unrealistically pious to start with; most people just aren't that good. But that's why so many religious people are viewed are as hypocrits, isn't it? Personally, I applaud the church in this story for sticking by their principals. I think that in this day and age such integrity is uncommon at best. Though I would add that such a stance on gambling is unrealistic. Were it my church, I would definitely take the money. But then again, I would gladly accept lottery winnings and have no qualms about playing the lottery beyond the fact that, generally speaking, its a complete waist of money.

This is just part of the sadness behind misinterpretation of the Bible. Nowhere in scripture is gambling forbidden!
Fact: Ecclesiastes 9:11 Tends to support the notion directly.
I've only studied the bible for some 31 years and, have taught it off and on for the past 26 years. But what do I know?

My dad is a Pastor.And I know If someone came to our church and said that they wanted to put in their tithes(%10)$6,000,000 of $600,000.We would allow them.I believe that my brother feels lead by God to give back what he won.That's deep because many people IF they won would not even give back or what they should give back.
HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT WHEN OFFERING IS GOING ON AT YOUR CHURCH THE PERSON PUTTING IN THEIR TITHES OR OFFERING DIDNT GAMBLE OR ROBBED SOMEONE OR ITS DRUG MONEY AND SO ON.YOU WONT KNOW BECAUSE ITS $MONEY$OK THE $$$ YOU HAVE HOW YOU KNOW THE LAST PERSON WHO HAD THAT $$$ WAS A STIPPER OR GAMBLER OR THIEF OR DRUG DEALER.YOU DONT KNOW BECAUSE ITS MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY IT NOT A PERSON ITS A PEICE PAPER IT HAS NO LIFE.

MY POINT IS MONEY TRAVELS IN ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AND HANDS.SO THAT IS WHY AT CHURCH WE PRAY OVER THE MONEY WE PUT IN THE OFFERING BASKET BECAUSE WE DONT KNOW WHERE ''IT''($$$) CAME FROM OR WHO HAD IT.

THINK ABOUT THAT

Where in the Bible does it say gambling is a sin? Yes he want's his children to be wise...(it's the other things you do while your gambling).

K Peops let me clear up a tiny bit. In the church I belong to, we pay 10% of what we earn to give back to God. It's called "Tithing" The money is used to help build buildings, and other such things our church needs. Just as we are asked to pay tithing, we are also asked not to gamble. Both are obviously our choice, we are forced to do neither. I know my church has a policy not to accept any tithing that came from gambling. My church believe's in not gambling, and so it doesn't use that money, no matter how high the sum reaches. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

If a religious institution knew that money it received was from a source of questionable morality, then it would have the duty to refuse it. However, since this particular church did not cite the money coming from the lottery as its reason for refusing the money, then it would be unfair to assume that the church would refuse money that it knew to have come from lottery winnings. Quite the opposite seems to be the case; since the church did not cite an immoral gain as its reason for refusing the money, it would seem that the church would normally accept donations of lottery winnings.

I applaud the man who decided to donate the money in the first place; it seems that many or most people nowadays would not even consider their places of worship as deserving of such a large sum of money. It does seem possible that the church would like to avoid indebtedness to the donor, and perhaps an anonymous donation would have been better since it would avoid such a feeling. However, since religious institutions always participate in various charities, it was foolish for the church to refuse the $600K donation, regardless of its source, because so many people could have benefited from those winnings.

If the man earned the money and shared it in church on Sunday then what is the difference if he spent a little and won a lottery to share even more on Sunday. Don't you think he was doing the lords work by thinking not of himself but others as well. The church should be a shamed f itself.

Answer for CRIMSIN.Well If a perosn robbed someone and killed them then took their money and said that they want to give it to the church.Ok If he dont tell the church that he did that to get the money how would we now.BUT if he did have the GUTS to tell the pastor or whoever that je just killed someone and is going to give this blood money to the church that a different story.We would not take it because we know where its come from.that money is CURSED.Their is a big difference between winning and robbing and killing.

!!THINK!!

I am a starting evangelist, I can tell you this, God says he would take the riches of the wicked and give them to the righteous .I don't believe that Pastor should of turned that money down. it would have been awesome for cameras.( what im believeing for) or something they needed. but we are responsible for our sheep. I believe it was a blessing. but its his call hopefully he was sensitive enough to the Holy Spirit to get direction. Most important to the man being faithful to God. the kingdom of God will use that money pay your tithe to another church or ministry do not let this hurt your faith. in Jesus name I pray blessings on you and your family Prosper sow into Gods kingdom grow as a christian be a part of Gods kingdom moving church Have a blessed day

It amazes me that folk can be soooo judgemental. I don't tell folk to go out and gamble, but if they do and they want to share some with The Lord's church then so be it. I would not turn it down. I know folks who have won money in gambling. There's no way I would tell them that we don't want that money. Just like some said on this site, we don't know where some of the money we get in our collection plates come from. I don't have so called "christian police people" getting involved in other folks bizness!!! GOD KNOWS AND SO I STAY OUT OF IT. Like someone said, what about those who own liquor stores or other "not christian establishment" who decide to give to the church do we turn them down???????

It's nice to see a church practice what they preach . Way to many churches are giving in and changing their standards to match the times . Way too many grey area's now ,that should still be black and white . Our church is also against gambling of any kind and would not accept the money . GOOD FOR THEM !!!!!!!!!!!

I believe that the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just. Although the church do not condone gambling, the church should accept this donation. The punishment should be left up to God. However, If God told the church not to accept the money, then it is up to God to provide. Otherwise, please accept the money knowingly that God will burn a desire in his heart to do the right thing, repent and live for God for real.

Did those feet in ancient times trod on america's pastuers of
green? And did that anthropocentric god wane with their thoughts and
beliefs all unseen? I don't think so, He's up there with the others
laying low - vying with those who you've traded your life to bless
your soul.
Have they told you how to think, cleansed your mind of
sepsis and automony? Or have you escaped scrutiny, and regaled
yourself with depravity? Now we all see, "religion is just synthetic
frippery, unnecessary in our expanding global cultural efficiency" And don't you fear this impasse we have built to our future? Ever so near,and oh so austere.

Ok, here's the deal...Money is neither good or bad. It's inert, neutral. Money in "good" hands does good things. And money in "bad" hands does bad things. It's that simple. Second only to Love, money is the most talked about subject in the Bible. Hmmmmmmmmmm...think God might be trying to tell us something?? And all of you "holy" pastors out there...read the Word. Doesn't it say that "in the last days the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just" ?? Ding ding ding, wake up oh holy ones. My pastor would take that $600,000 tithe in a heartbeat and use it toward establishing the Kingdom...that's why we're here...remember? What better way to give the Devil a black eye than to use lottery money to spread the Word. Stop being so religious (man's way of getting to God) and get back into the Word so you can get to know and understand the heart of its' author. Amen!!

Crimsin wrote:

Heres a question for Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall.
If a man robs a bank and kills a few people, would you still except the money he gives you? After all you did say, "When it comes to giving back, does it matter where the dough comes from" Why dont you stick to what your kind are good at, child molesting and leading people down your path and not gods

Are you that stupid and deranged???

Putting someone who spent a few dollars on a lottery ticket in the same catagory as killers, thieves, and child molesters? It's people like you who set Christianity back hundreds of years.

Shall we put all vices and sinners in one corner? Are you above sinning personally? On both counts I would wager no.

Putting gambling in the same category as killing and robbing people, what next? Do we burn down all churches that condone bingo?

Religion is supposed give us faith in mankind. Jesus kicked gamblers off the temple steps because they were misguiding the faithful, not because it is a sin.

Whatever church denied the tithe has a right to do so, don't get me wrong. That is their right.

But comparing killers to gamblers is sophomoric at best and insane to say the least.

my thought. If you believe that gambling is wrong because it is a game of chance and you are putting your earned money at risk then how do you feel about money made in the stock market? When 'playing' the stock market aren't you taking a chance with your money in hopes to grow it into a larger sum??

Is someone says, well yes but there you are investing in companies, you're helping the economy. Well then, did you know that most lotteries are used a a source of state funding? The money that comes from purchased tickets often goes to education and other community resources. In fact most were started simply as a way to help support the local governments. Does that make it evil or wrong?? Maybe the churches would like the teach the government a better way to raise that money? I know that everyone will just job at the chance to donate to their local governments. Churches are lucky that people feel obligated to donate to them. Where as most people work as hard as they can to keep as much of their money from going to the government as possible. Simply put lotteries are a way of fund raising. What's so evil about that?

Oh, and lastly, in my opinion a church has no business turning down an act of good will from someone on behalf of God. If you really believe that the money came from something wrong why not take it and use it in the service of good? Is anything that is given with the best of intentions and purity of heart evil? Especially something that clothe, feed and shelter those in need. I do recall some instances in the Bible where men who had lead 'wicked' lives had given away their possessions and gone off to serve God. Who do you think they gave everything too?? The needy! And isn't the church supposed to be the ones who take care of the needy!

For drrxz23:
What planet did you come from??

What a lot of people posting comments here are failing to remember is that God blesses those that are faithful to him. While the reason for rejecting the money is not identified, it is of no consequence to the churches decision. Most people posting have assumed that it's because it's considered tainted. So going with that assumption, they are simply practicing what they preach. They do not need the winnings of someone who goes against their teaching to bless others. What churches need to do most more than anything to bless their people is seek God's face, seek to please him. For if one seeks the kingdom of God FIRST, everything else will be added unto him. In Matthew 6:33 we have that promise from God. That church, going with the posted assumptions, is seeking God first. For that demonstration of faithfulness and integrity, God will surely provide above and beyond the winnings of a lottery.
God doesn't need tainted money to bless his people. He has all the riches of the world. God knows what his people need and He will provide it to those that are faithful to him.

Also, to the "new evangelist". The riches that God talks about in the bible that He will give to the righteous are not the riches bought by money. And those riches are certainly not implied lottery winnings. Come on now. God bless the church that walks the talk, for unfortunately not enough do. Hall obviously is in need of money. It may be because he doesn't put his trust in God and would be anxious to get tainted money. Youth centers filled with teens that have not been taught the word of God are of no benefit to that church.

My husband and I were discussing a similar topic this weekend. We both brainstormed but couldn't think of an actual bible verse that said gambling was bad.

this weekend = last weekend!

Drrxz23, I see you are a fan of Bad Religion.

WHAT ABOUT CHURCH BINGO?

WHAT ABOUT CHURCH STAFF BUS-TRIPS TO INDIAN CASINOS?

I think that particular church is missing the meaning, the why of tithes and offering.

Think about it. God owns all of it. Every atom on this planet, whether we use it for good or evil, he owns it. So he really doesn't NEED it. It's for our own good, to understand the concept of give and it will be given to you. To help others who can't seem to get it together, this way of living is a testament to God's true power.

Look at it this way. This is this man's testimony to the goodness of God. How do you not know that God allowed this man to win, because he knew that this man would give from his heart.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7)

Failure to tithe means we are robbing God, end of story. Why would you prevent this guy from repaying God?

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me." (Malachi 3:8-9)

People are often so blinded by Man's Law, that they often assume that his law is God's law as well.

Hey Great Sommelier,

You do have a point. My friends and relatives have also had many a conversation about the Bible's position on gambling. Gambling is defined as "risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds." At most, the Bible warns us about the love of money, but think about this. You can only really love money if it has done something for you. Well, if you are poor and don't have money, you can't really have a love for it. The love of money is more of a warning for those who come into large amounts of it, and the pitfalls resulting from it.

Now the Bible does warn us of "get rich quick" methods and for quite a few people this would apply. There's where the folks who consider themselves poor need to watch out. Wishing for the fast path.

The problem is not the money, but the decisions man makes when handling the money. If you were bad at finance when you won the money, you will still be bad a t finance and loose the money and church folk often interpret that as "the evils of money". If you were not a giving person before the money, they you will not give when you do have it. And no, you are not funding God's Mission when you give money that you've won to the Church. Read what I wrote about Why we tithe and offer.

Way to go, they stood up for their beliefs. How stupid would it be for the Pastor to stand up on Sunday and say 'you should not do this', and then the next day say 'but since you did I'll gladly accept your winnings'. It's about teaching an individual. THe pastor said 'you should not do this', and now by not accepting the money the pastor is still saying 'you should not have done that'. If the lottery winner is a faithful member perhaps that will make him feel a little bad for not doing what he was taught. I think a lot of the commenters are missing the boat on the moral implications by the logical stretch of 'but it's not so bad!'. The sins are not of the same severity, but morally speaking, accepting money earned through any 'dishonest' means, whether it be gambling, stealing, drug dealing, etc is the same in principal.