The Mega MIllions Lottery had no winners in last night's drawing, putting the prize to over one billion dollars.
Like everyone, I have in the past fantasized over what I would do with a billion dollars. It used to be I would buy a couple of nice vehicles and big brick house. But as I progressed in my life, the fantasy gets harder and harder. I honestly don't know what I would do with that kind of jack.
I have seen what sudden unearned big money has does to people. It saps them of their drive, turns them inward, makes them more pleasure-seeking, makes them more materialistic, and insulates them from the needy. There are countless stories of lottery winners' lives being ruined: divorce, affairs, lavish and immoral living, drug dependency, gluttony, jealousy, and often poverty in the end. Here's the classic story of West Virginia's Jack Whittaker who won $300 million in 2002. He said numerous times he wishes he'd torn the winning ticket up.
abcnews.go.com
Everyone reading this thinks "Oh, I would be sensible. I would buy a few things I need, but not change my lifestyle much." But trust me, you do. People think they will be able to handle a billion dollars. Very few can. The only proper way to handle it is to give it away, but how many want to do that? There is a reason the bible says the rich man has little chance of reaching Heaven. The essence of gaining grace is self-denial and prayer. But many people pray only when they need something. And if they have big money, they don't feel they need God anymore, and they're certainly not in the mood for self denial or penance. No, they're going to live it up.
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” - Matthew 19:21-24
But even giving a fortune away is fraught with difficulty. It really comes down to whose lives you want to ruin if you give them a big pile of cash. And it's the same with government, charities, even churches. Even those who start out with great intentions can be corrupted, humans being fallible like they are. Big piles of money corrupt. Period. I suppose the best way is to spread modest amounts to many different individuals and worthwhile groups.
Me? I'm going to buy a single $2 ticket. Odds of winning are one in 320 million, about the population of the US. If i win, I will make it my new career to search out worthwhile situations where a little money could help. But more so, I would consider it my obligation to dispose of it carefully without ruining anyone. I would NOT leave a great amount to my children or anyone else. I want them to make it to Heaven.
Like everyone, I have in the past fantasized over what I would do with a billion dollars. It used to be I would buy a couple of nice vehicles and big brick house. But as I progressed in my life, the fantasy gets harder and harder. I honestly don't know what I would do with that kind of jack.
I have seen what sudden unearned big money has does to people. It saps them of their drive, turns them inward, makes them more pleasure-seeking, makes them more materialistic, and insulates them from the needy. There are countless stories of lottery winners' lives being ruined: divorce, affairs, lavish and immoral living, drug dependency, gluttony, jealousy, and often poverty in the end. Here's the classic story of West Virginia's Jack Whittaker who won $300 million in 2002. He said numerous times he wishes he'd torn the winning ticket up.
From Powerball winner to scandal: Jack Whittaker dies at 72
Andrew “Jack” Whittaker Jr., whose life became rife with setbacks and tragedy after winning a record $315 million Powerball jackpot in 2002, has died
abcnews.go.com
Everyone reading this thinks "Oh, I would be sensible. I would buy a few things I need, but not change my lifestyle much." But trust me, you do. People think they will be able to handle a billion dollars. Very few can. The only proper way to handle it is to give it away, but how many want to do that? There is a reason the bible says the rich man has little chance of reaching Heaven. The essence of gaining grace is self-denial and prayer. But many people pray only when they need something. And if they have big money, they don't feel they need God anymore, and they're certainly not in the mood for self denial or penance. No, they're going to live it up.
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” - Matthew 19:21-24
But even giving a fortune away is fraught with difficulty. It really comes down to whose lives you want to ruin if you give them a big pile of cash. And it's the same with government, charities, even churches. Even those who start out with great intentions can be corrupted, humans being fallible like they are. Big piles of money corrupt. Period. I suppose the best way is to spread modest amounts to many different individuals and worthwhile groups.
Me? I'm going to buy a single $2 ticket. Odds of winning are one in 320 million, about the population of the US. If i win, I will make it my new career to search out worthwhile situations where a little money could help. But more so, I would consider it my obligation to dispose of it carefully without ruining anyone. I would NOT leave a great amount to my children or anyone else. I want them to make it to Heaven.
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