The Cure for Lotto Fever

"Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle."
-Proverbs 23:4-5

As I was randomly checking out my blog one day, this verse appeared on the random verse generator right below the header. The verse slapped me right in the face. It's one of those moments where you know God did it on purpose to tell you something that you need to hear RIGHT NOW! When I saw this verse, I was literally doing a combination nod and shake of my head, muttering to myself, "God ... you're good, God ... you're good..." Some people call it coincidence, others call it serendipity - I call Him God! He is purposeful.

My ideal situation is to win the lottery and leave my current job. Winning the lottery would be great:

• I could pay off some outstanding bills.
• I would give a certain percentage to my church and mission projects.
• My family members would get a share.
• I wouldn't stop working altogether (Yes, call me crazy and ridiculous, but I actually enjoy what I do.). After a short sabbatical, I'd be back at it.

So, looks like I got things all mapped out. And, I honestly believe that I wouldn't change much, in terms of my character, after hitting it rich. That's what a lot of people say and I'm in that bunch. But, who knows? I would think I know myself enough to know that I wouldn't change.

But God knows better - He knows my heart.

I was on quite the lotto spiel during this winter break ("Hey, ya never know?"). Not problematically, addictively out-of-control - a couple of dollars here and there. And, listen, I'm a mathematician. The odds of winning the lottery are so astronomically low that it is an act of God if you win. A 1 in 45,057,474 chance of winning! Yes, if you win, then God wanted you to win. But, "hey, ya never know?" The possibility of easing a living situation, to relieve economic burdens, to be able to give your spouse whatever s/he desires - the noble results of being a lottery winner. I thought that if I made my case before God about what winning the lotto would do for me and mine, then God would simply be like, "But, of course. In that case, I grant you these millions." I was even negotiating for second prize ($250,000) or third prize, making my case that I would have the noblest of intentions in using that money.

But God knows better - He knows my heart, He knows my needs and provides for me and mine as I need.

The above Proverbs passage hits the nail on the head. This pursuit of potential money is quite tiresome. "Did I win?" "What's the next jackpot?" "When's the next drawing?" - draining... Even if it is for the noblest of intentions, money can NEVER replace the provisions and blessings of God. He's given me food to eat, clothing on my back, shelter over my head, surrounded me with loving friends and family - in that sense, I am "rich" beyond compare. Why do I complain? I found myself being like Jonah, pleading that things should be done this way. But, God knew the best way all along. God has a plan for me ... for all of us - just allow Him to steer the ship to the promised land (I feel a calling to head up and advise a Christian fellowship in my school. This deserves more energy than elusive riches.); yield control to Him. If it involves winning the lotto, so be it. If not, so be it. His will be done always and forever. Conforming to my Father's will allows me to live life fully and at peace.

Father, I pray for wisdom to restrain myself from fretting over elusive, material riches. Forgive me of my foolishness and shortcomings. Lord, I put my trust in your everlasting, spiritual riches - the "treasures" You have for me in heaven. I pray that Your ways be my ways. Your grace is sufficient for me, my Jehovah Jireh.

Someday, I may win the lottery. But, I'll leave it to God to define that "someday" for me. That's if it's needed at all. God knows better.