I have never
bought a lottery ticket. The
advertisements paint a picture of having all one’s dreams come true. I know that the jackpots keep growing
despite my failure to purchase. I have
a problem with lotteries for a number or reasons, but basically I refuse to
believe that hope is something to buy or sell.
Lotteries are not
the only vendors of “hope.” I’m
beginning to see loyalty and rewards programs, even prizes printed on paper
coffee cups in much the same light. We
no longer buy something for the sake of that item—we also want to buy the hope
of getting something more. Points, air
miles or free gifts have become one more factor in our decisions of when and
how to make purchases. These programs
feed my human tendency to desire material things and to expect things to
provide for spiritual needs.
“This is a
trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labour and
strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all
men, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:9-10
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