Me and the lottery

In my last job, I had a friend who most weeks would say something like, "I hope I win the Euromillions tonight - then I'll not be back here Monday." I'm sure it won't have escaped your notice, but tonights draw has a jackpot of about £166 million. That is incredible! If it is won by a single winner, they would be alongside The Beckhams and Theo Paphitas in how much they have and be the 418th name on the Sunday Times rich list. The National Lottery is expecting to sell 3 million tickets an hour in the lead up to tonights draw, which is over 900 per second. That's a lot of people in the draw. (By the way, I got these stats from here, I didn't spend ages working them out, though it is something I would do!)

Anyway, I've been thinking this morning about buying a ticket. It's only £2 after all, which let's face it, isn't that much. I spent £2 on Wednesday on a cup of sweets, £2 on 4 crunchies and 4 flakes (£1 each), £9 on the Noah and the Whale album (Could of had 4.5 tickets!), I'll pay £2.50 to play football tonight, £4 on Monday, so £2 for one ticket isn't that much of a drastic amount given I'm used to spending it, and quite regularly. But does that give me permission to buy one? As someone who is wanting to please God, and serve him, is it right to play the euro millions?

I've read a few peoples blogs and opinions on the question, 'Should the Christian play the lottery?' Most people say no - it's gambling, and is bad stewardship (since everything comes from God <including money>, we are to use it wisely). There is no verse in the Bible directed at gambling, so you have to try and find the Bible principles which can be applied. I completely agree that everything comes from God, and that we are to use it wisely. I guess the question then becomes, "Well what does this mean?" Is it OK to spend £2 on a lottery ticket since I spent £2 on sweets. Was it wrong to buy the sweets in the first place? Sure, I enjoyed them when I watched my brother and his girlfirend in West Side Story on Wednesday, and I gave them the ones that were left, but did I need them? Probably not, but I enjoyed them.

People argue for playing the lottery saying it is for entertainment purposes. I can see this as well. It is quite fun watching to see if your numbers come up, and I'm used to spending money for entertainment purposes. My big question when I look at myself is, "am I playing because I want to win £166million? Is it the great prize that is tempting me to play? Would I want to play if it was just a 'normal' jackpot amount? The other question I have is, "Hypothetically, if I won, what would I do with the money?" As a Mathematician, I'm very aware that the odds of my 6 numbers coming up are very small indeed. Throw in the frenzy surrounding this draw, and the number of other people playing, the chances of a unique winner - again very very small. But if I played and somehow beat the odds (someone has to) then what would I do? I'd be in a very fortunate position financially, and the temptation would be to keep it, to save it.

I know that keeping it all wouldn't ever be an option, but how much do you keep, and where do you give money to? I think we'd probably pay off any debt we have, but would a new house be bought, what about a new car (current one only had for 7 months, but its done a lot of miles)? Would money be put aside for future generations, and how much would we keep for ourseleves and a rainy day? Surely I would continue looking for work, but would I be as willing to take a very basic, low paid job, or would I wait and wait? Would I ever need to work again? I've got a friend cycling from Bournemouth to Bicaz (Romania) to buy a minibus for the Romanian camps they do. I could give to him. (You could to by following the above link!) I'd give some to my local Church, and needs in and around Doncaster. But how much of the £166m would that use? Perhaps I could widen my giving to my family, clear their debts, and set aside for their futures?

It's questions like these that really make me wonder whether or not I should play the lottery tonight. Yes, it's only £2, and it wouldn't be that dearly missed, but if I won, I just wouldn't know what to do with the money. I have friends around me who would help me, but do I want that pressure? The Bible warns against money, and greed, and I think to guard myself, playing the lottery isn't a good idea.

That's how far I've got in the last hour or so, in between a gas safety check, but would be interesting to know other peoples thoughts. Comment below!

Forbes biggest givers

This week, Forbes magazine has published its list of the worlds biggest and most generous givers, which got me interested and made me take a look. You can look at the article yourself here. They have found 19 people in the world who have given over 1 billion US dollars to charity. The biggest giver is Bill Gates, who has given $28 billion, which is over 3 times more than the next person in the list. Forbes also put the person’s net worth in there as well so you can see how much they’re giving in relation to what they’re worth. One of the guys has given about 95% of his wealth away, which is pretty incredible. He still has hundreds of thousands to live off, but it’s still very good giving. The richest man in the world, Carlos Slim Helu has given $4 billion, but with a suggested worth of around $74 billion, it’s only about 5.5%. He believes more good can be done by creating jobs than band-aided charitable giving. It was a fascinating list, but it got me thinking.

Some people think that God would be pleased with us if we were a good person. If we do enough good stuff to outweigh the bad stuff, then we will have earned God’s approval. But is it possible to earn this? What makes a ‘good person’ - surely giving to charity would be one trademark of a good person? Obviously they can’t give away as much as these 19 people, but they give. But the question is then raised, “Well does that please God?” Is there a certain amount you can give which would earn God’s favour? Is there a percentage that God requires from us? Surely James Stowers, who gave 95% away, is in God’s very good books? Is giving to charity good enough to be in a right standing with God?

Well, actually, giving 95% of our wealth away doesn’t make us right with God. The Bible is pretty clear that we can’t earn God’s favour through what we do. Being made right with God has nothing to do with what we do, but is only possible because of what Jesus has done. When Jesus came to Earth, he was on a rescue mission to save us, and to open up a way to be made right with God. In John 14:6, Jesus says “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Verse 7 doesn’t then say, or you can just be a nice person and give money away, and that is also acceptable. The only way to be made right with God is through Jesus. Believing that we are sinners, that we have done things which separate us from God, and that we can’t correct these ourselves. Jesus never sinned, and he gives us that perfect record so we can stand before God, as if we’d never sinned. Then, and only then, are we made right with God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says this, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Giving money away is not a bad thing, it is good to do, but it does not make us right with God. Only through Jesus can that be made possible.

It’s been great to remind myself of these truths, and they were backed up this morning at Church, as I was challenged to remember that I am not attractive in any way before God. All I can give is my need for forgiveness.

Don't hold your breath - Nicole Scherzinger

I keep hearing this song on the radio, and I've been meaning to write a blog about it for some time, but have only just got round to it. Don't hold your breath is the latest song from Nicole Scherzinger, and is very catchy. We're used to love songs in the charts, people singing about how much they love someone and are unable to so anything without them, but we're not as used to hearing songs like this, about some kind of break up. The song starts with the chorus:

You can't touch me now
There's no feeling left
If you think I'm coming back
Don't hold your breath
What you did to me
Boy I can't forget
If you think I'm coming back
Don't hold your breath

 and the verses explain some of the stuff which has lead to such a strong sense of rejection. It's pretty clear that Nicole doesn't want to be in relationship with this man. As I kept hearing this song, I also kept thinking about Luke Chapter 15. This is a great chapter in the Bible, and one of my favourites. In it, Jesus tells 3 parables (stories) about being lost and then found. The 3rd of these is most commonly known as the prodigal son, or lost son. Here it is:

The Parable of the Lost Son

 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

   “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

   “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

   “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

   “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

   “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

   “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

   “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Simply, the parable Jesus tells is of someone completely rejecting his Father (God), wishing he was dead, wanting his inheritance early so he can get the most out of life. However, he blows all his money, and ends up feeding pigs. Realising his mistake, he practices and practices his apology, and goes back to his Dad. I'm sure the walk would have been slow, as he keeps working out exactly what he will say. He realises he is no longer worthy to be called his son, but just wants to work for him. The amazing thing is that while he is still a long way off, the Father sees him, runs out to meet him (probably embarrassing for an old man!), throws his arms around him and welcomes him back as a son.
Scherzinger sings of grudges, and holding things against others. God forgives us. He loves us so much that he forgives us, and welcomes us back into his arms, and into his family. We don't deserve it, and it's only by grace, a gift from God.
God does not say to us, "Don't hold your breath" to us. His arms are always open for us to come back to him.

Jessie J feat B.O.B - Price Tag

If you listen to the radio, watch mucic channels, or generally keep updated with the music scene, one of the newest names on it is that of Jessie J. Winner of both the 2011 critic's award at the Brits, and BBC's sound of 2011 award, she has released 2 songs, Do it like a dude, which reached #2 in the UK chart, and Price Tag, which currently sits on top of the UK charts. I have to confess to being a bit of a fan of Price Tag. I heard it on the radio coming back from work, and it is incredibly catchy. With a chorus going like,

It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

Ain't about the (ha) Ka-Ching Ka-Ching.
Aint about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the Price Tag.

I wondered what on earth the song was actually about, if it was not about the money. Having listened to it a couple of times this evening, and looking at the lyrics, it seems to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, with elements of truth, and thought provoking stuff.

Jessie wrote the song herself, and it seems to be her thoughts on current things, particularly in the music industry, where people could be described as trying to go one up on their competitors, wearing more and more provakative clothing in videos, and doing everything they can to get more and more media spotlight. Here's the second verse:

We need to take it back in time,
When music made us all UNITE!
And it wasn't low blows and video Hoes,
Am I the only one gettin... tired?

Why is everybody so obsessed?
Money can't buy us happiness.
If we all slow down and enjoy right now
Gurantee we'll be feelin
All right.

Jessie is basically saying that people in music are not in it for the same reasons as they used to. She wants to go back to the days when people made music to entertain people. I guess now, people are entertained in different ways, and perhaps some people don't feel that the songs themselves are enough. People seem to be in this business for the money, and not because it is something they love.

It is true when Jessie sings that money can't buy us happiness. Happiness is an interesting thing, and people feel happy because of different things. I was in a rotten mood at work earlier this week, and when someone asked me how I was, it cheered me up, as it was really thoughtful of them to notice and ask. If Sheffield Wednesday start winning, I'll be happy when I look at the results (could be a while). When I think of mine and Rachels first 6 months of marriage, it makes me happy. Would having lots of money make me happier? I doubt it. Sure, I could buy more stuff - a better house, newer car, wii games, but the danger is, that the more we have, the more we want, and the more we feel we need to keep up with th proverbial Jones's. I doubt that this would make me happy though.

The Bible warns us about money on more than one occasion. 1Timothy 6:10 says this, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. [As an aside, note how the love of money is A root of all kinds of evil, not THE root]. When we make money our aim in life, we lose focus of everything around us. We won't unite with anyone, but will berate people, and climb all over them to get to the top. The Bible would tell us to focus on God, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). When we focus on pleasing God, and serving him, we look around us, and pick people up, encourage them, and as Church family, we strive to help others serve him as well. True happiness is found in Jesus - I know it sounds cheesy, but its true. Giving your life for something you know to be eternal gives your life meaning, and purpose, and a reason to be happy.

Grilled Cheesus - Glee and Religion

You may look at the blog title, and think that sounds weird. Glee and religion? I thought they just did singing and stuff. Alex watches Glee? Whatever your thoughts I watched the 3rd episode from the 2nd series of Glee earlier today, which was entitled 'Grilled Cheesus'.

Plot summary:
Finn Hudson, one of the Glee members, is making a grilled cheese sandwich, and believes he sees the face of Jesus in it. Finn then decides to pray to this sandwich for 3 things - 1st, that the football team would win their first game, 2nd, he would get to 'second base' with his girlfriend, Rachel, and 3rd, that he would be reinstated as the football quarterback. When the first of these prayers is answered, he suggests the Glee group sing songs of Jesus and spirituality.
While all this is going on, another Glee member, Kurt, is dealing with the shock news of his father's heart attack. As the group try and support Kurt with prayers and spirituality, it soon becomes apparent that Kurt does not belive in any of it, saying God made him gay, and all Christians and Churches hate gays (and women), and say its his choice to be gay - how could God allow him to go through all the torture he goes through each day?
Sue Sylvester (the school Cheerleaders coach) also does not believe that prayer works. When she was younger, her sister, the one person she truly loved, became ill. Sue prayed for he to get better every night, and when that wasn't working, she prayed harder, and now has the attitude that if God does exist, he's going to have to prove it somehow.
As the episode progresses, its interesting to see how different people react to everything that is going on. Glee members with faith pray for Kurt's Dad when he is at the hospital. With representatives from different religions and denominations, surely some prayers willbe listened to? Finn's prayers are answered but not in the way he wants them, as the new quarterback is injured during a game on a play that Finn called, causing him to feel responsible. Finn then doubts his new found faith.

People have many views of prayer. In Glee, Sue believes it doesn't work because of past experience. Finn uses it for his own benefit, and keeps God at arms length. Kurt does not believe there is a God, but does eventally accept the prayers of his friends.

For me, prayer is none of these. God does not want to be distant from us, he wants to be close to us. God does not want us to come only when we need help, but all the time. Prayer is simply talking to God, having a conversation with him. God wants to be involved with all our lives, and prayer is how we allow him to do that. I think I've made prayer more complicated than it is. I've made it some super spiritual thing, when actually, as I pray, I come as a little child to his father, speaking to him. Whenever I've gone up to my Dad, or Mum, to speak to them, they always listen. They don't turn away. They didn't always give me what I asked for, but they listened, and acted in a way they seemed appropriate. God is my Heavenly Father. As I pray, he listens, ans he answers in a way which he knows is best. How does he know what is best? Because he made me. He knows me better than I know myself, so of course knows what is best. He is all knowing, and soveriegn, and that is such an ecouragement to know that there is someone bigger than me, who is in control of everything, not just my life. As I pray, I strengthen my relationship with the Almighty, All-knowing, Creator God, who I can call my Father.

Glee has helped me to be reminded of the theory - the practice of this is much harder, and something I continue to work on.

Nothing physically left - From Amazon to Jesus

For the last 2 months, I've been working at the Amazon.co.uk warehouse (no I don't know where your parcel is!), and each day I had several little reminders of 3 words Jesus said. I was a 'stower', which basically meant I took things as they came into the warehouse and stored (stowed) them in the correct place (sounds easy - it was!). Anyway, everything was done with an electronic scanner gun thing (very cool!), and when I'd stored everything, the words on the scanner would read, "I have finished. I have nothing physically left" to which you would confirm. Each time I read these words, and confirmed, which would have been several times a day, I couldn't help but think of Jesus' last words as he hung on the cross, "It is finished"

What exactly was finished as Jesus said these words? Jesus was born to save us. He was born to repair a broken relationship. A relationship with God the Father, which humans once had, but lost because of sin - all those times we put something in God's place. Our greatest need in life is not food or clothes, but to be in a relationship with God the Father, and that is only possible through Jesus' death on the cross.

Jesus couldn't just live any old life while he was on Earth though. It had to be perfect, sinless, which it was. As a man, he was subject to everything we go through. Hunger, thirst, temptation, hurt, pain, rejection by people, betrayed by a friend. Jesus gave everything for us, and held nothing back. He loved us so much that he died for us. As he hung on the cross, Jesus literally had nothing pysically left. Nothing left to do. Nothing left to give. It was mission complete for Jesus, as he opened up a way for us to be back in relationship with God.

How great it was when working to be continually reminded of what Jesus did for me in the few words, "I have finished. I have nothing physically left."