A lot of Americans are now excited about the biggest-ever $1.5 billion Powerball lottery jackpot at stake on Wednesday, and even Rev. Franklin Graham has noticed that they are suffering from "lottery fever."
Graham cannot help but shake his head at people who are "standing in line for hours to buy a Powerball ticket for a chance to win the jackpot." Graham said everybody has, at one point or another, imagined "what it would be like to win a large jackpot of money."
A friend of Graham said he would immediately get a liposuction to improve his appearance while another person shared his dream of buying a new house.
But instead of daydreaming about earthly winnings, Graham wants people to reflect on something far more important. "The Bible has a lot to say about where to put your treasure. Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount to lay up our treasures in heaven. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19)," he writes on his Facebook page.
People's greatest treasures are not their houses, jewelry, or the money they have stored in the bank. According to Graham, their true riches cannot be measured because it's their soul.
"It lasts for eternity. Jesus said 'for what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?' (Matthew 16:26). Is your soul secure? Have you turned to Jesus Christ in repentance and trusted Him as the Saviour and Lord of your life? If not, I urge you to do that today — don't wait another minute. He's the only sure thing there is!" he says.
Other evangelicals such as Pastor Don Piper has actually discouraged Christians from taking part in the lottery because it exploits the poor. One commenter even shared with Graham, "I asked my husband not to buy a ticket. We're happy and have all we need, so it could only cause problems."
