Author Topic: Have any devout Catholics ever won the lottery? (Read 1661 times)

Änσnymσus · « **on:** July 21, 2019, 07:17:49 PM »

Given that playing the lottery is allowable under certain circuмstances, I wonder if God would ever allow a devout Catholic who was in serious debt who prayed to win it, to win. I've seen so many cases where bad people win it and all they do is use it for evil and squander it away, even ending up broke.

There's also cases of people who are financially well off (or at least have no debt) and end up winning it. They never play it and then one day, out of curiosity, buy one ticket and boom, win millions in the first try.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2019, 08:50:32 PM »

Almighty God allows what He allows. His reasoning, if it can be called that, will only be known to us in the next life, and even then, only insofar as He chooses to reveal it to us. So, yes, a traditionalist Catholic could win the lottery, or he could not.

I can only say that if I ever win it (i.e., win one of those multi-multi-million jackpots), I can think of one city that will have a very nice traditional Catholic church, with resident priests and solely the Latin Mass available on a daily basis, and ownership and all financial matters will be overseen by a corporation and board of trustees selected by me. Depending on the amount of money involved, a free K-12 traditional Catholic school, with quality instructors both lay and religious, reflecting the diversity of the Catholic community (i.e., not just for rich people), would also be created.

And I might buy a somewhat bigger house and a new car, set up a trust fund for my son, and arrange for high-quality in-home care for my elderly parents. That's about it. I live simply and wouldn't know how to live otherwise.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2019, 07:58:12 AM »

I won 80 and 30, respectively. But then proceeded to have lost those equal amounts with further play. Maybe a few times a year the Mrs. and I win plunk down a chunk to see what happens. We have fun and are careful not to overdo it.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2019, 09:25:43 AM »

Sure, I'm a Traditional Catholic and won $25 one time.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #4 on:** July 22, 2019, 10:04:22 AM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 21, 2019, 08:50:32 PM

Almighty God allows what He allows. His reasoning, if it can be called that, will only be known to us in the next life, and even then, only insofar as He chooses to reveal it to us. So, yes, a traditionalist Catholic could win the lottery, or he could not.

I can only say that if I ever win it (i.e., win one of those multi-multi-million jackpots), I can think of one city that will have a very nice traditional Catholic church, with resident priests and solely the Latin Mass available on a daily basis, and ownership and all financial matters will be overseen by a corporation and board of trustees selected by me. Depending on the amount of money involved, a free K-12 traditional Catholic school, with quality instructors both lay and religious, reflecting the diversity of the Catholic community (i.e., not just for rich people), would also be created.

And I might buy a somewhat bigger house and a new car, set up a trust fund for my son, and arrange for high-quality in-home care for my elderly parents. That's about it. I live simply and wouldn't know how to live otherwise.

Be careful so you don't end up like Mel Gibson. Spent millions to build a church, and then it's all gone

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2019, 11:08:05 AM »

I used to play the lotto, maybe a few times a month or every other month or so. I won a few bucks every now and then but never came close to making a profit.

I used to say to myself and to God that if He lets me win that I'd only keep a little, enough to live off of, and that I'd give the rest away, split it up and give generously to some trad priests/organizations and to some of the trads I know who are in need of funds for groceries and paying their bills etc..

But I eventually realized that it is for our eternal good that either God does not want me to give the others any money, or He does not want them (or me) to have that much money because in all likelihood, He knows winning would mean hell for me and those I gave it to. Also I know that He has taken care of them (and me) just fine up till now, so I really have no need whatsoever of that much money.

I think that if it is a sin to play the lotto, it is a sin because we insult God in our actions by playing the lotto because by doing so, we're telling God that He has not, and does not give us enough, and that we want more than He already so generously gives us.

OTOH, if winning would aid us in this journey toward salvation, I have every confidence that He would surely see to it that we win!

Haydock commentary for John 7:8 - Whatever we ask necessary to salvation with humility, fervour, perseverance, and other due circuмstances, we may be assured God will grant when it is best for us. If we do not obtain what we pray for, we must suppose it is not conducive to our salvation, in comparison of which all else is of little moment. (Haydock)

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2019, 07:19:17 PM »

I don’t know the answer. I believe most devout Catholics use their money for better things than the lottery. Where does the money come from if you win? Where does it go if you lose? In NY state, it funds public education. Personally, this is nothing I wish to support, so I’ve never purchased a lottery ticket. From time to time, I’ve received a few for gifts. I played them but didn’t win anything. I’ll occasionally enter raffles for good causes, but I think it is more fitting for a Catholic to work for his money. I’ve won only a few items in my life. 1968-A canning jar filled with Tootsie Rolls because my guess as to how many the jar contained was closest to the actual amount. This was at Camp Ad De Ron Da. I won a Frisbee and four tickets to the local carnival in 1970. It was a raffle for benefit of a child at school who had leukemia. In 1981, I won a door prize at a quilting guild meeting—a pair of scissors.

SimpleMan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2019, 11:46:57 PM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 22, 2019, 10:04:22 AM

Be careful so you don't end up like Mel Gibson. Spent millions to build a church, and then it's all gone

I thought of Mel Gibson. But is his chapel in California "gone"? Did he lose all of this in the divorce?

Two things I forgot in my dream scenario:

The school would have two parallel single-sex academies from 5th or 6th grade onwards (per Pius XI, Divini illius magistri, 1929), around the age at which the differences between boys and girls grow more dramatic and problematical.
And I would travel. That is the one luxury I allow myself, and that fairly infrequently, as I am retired and of quite modest means. I travel simply, prepare most of my own meals, and stay in inexpensive accommodations, something I would continue even if I were rich. I wouldn't go with a tour group if they gave it to me for free.

And I didn't mean for my original post to be anonymous. I'm a noob here and still learning how to use the site.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2019, 12:57:49 PM »

Quote from: SimpleMan on July 22, 2019, 11:46:57 PM

I thought of Mel Gibson. But is his chapel in California "gone"? Did he lose all of this in the divorce?

He may be referring to the chapel in Arcadia that the SSPX "commandeered".
The one in Malibu is still there and still functioning, AFAIK.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2019, 09:16:55 PM »

Regardless of whatever good intentions I have in my pre-wealth fantasy scenarios, God probably takes into account that I would rationalize my greed; squandering or using the money in such a way as to jeopardize my salvation. I'll be satisfied if they don't have to pass-the-hat to bury me.

SimpleMan · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2019, 09:52:01 AM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 23, 2019, 12:57:49 PM

He may be referring to the chapel in Arcadia that the SSPX "commandeered".
The one in Malibu is still there and still functioning, AFAIK.

I was referring to the chapel near his home in Agoura Hills. That is close to Malibu, maybe we're referring to the same one.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2019, 10:41:44 AM »

Quote from: SimpleMan on July 24, 2019, 09:52:01 AM

Agoura Hills.

Saratoga Hills.
30188 Mulholland Hwy
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fFSfEPmsGJ6469AF6

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2019, 10:44:37 AM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 22, 2019, 10:04:22 AM

Be careful so you don't end up like Mel Gibson. Spent millions to build a church, and then it's all gone

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Far as I'm concerned, all money is, is a necessary evil.

Änσnymσus · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2019, 06:03:06 AM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 24, 2019, 10:44:37 AM

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Far as I'm concerned, all money is, is a necessary evil.

I've always thought it's curious how money is generally depicted as evil, and yet nothing is done without it and charity is all about giving money.

SimpleMan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2019, 09:53:19 AM »

Quote from: Anonymous on July 26, 2019, 06:03:06 AM

I've always thought it's curious how money is generally depicted as evil, and yet nothing is done without it and charity is all about giving money.

Money, of course, is not evil or good in and of itself. "Necessary evil" here seems to be more a figure of speech. Money is both a store of value and a means of exchange. In a perfect world, money (i.e., precious metal coins) would have value in and of itself, but sadly, we live in an era of fiat money and the metal used to make coins is relatively worthless. Still, though, it remains a means of exchange, as well as a way to "value" the labor put forth to earn it. Without money, we would have to barter goods and services, which beyond a certain point would be absurdly inefficient.

Author Topic: Have any devout Catholics ever won the lottery? (Read 1661 times)

Änσnymσus

Have any devout Catholics ever won the lottery?

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