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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)

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.

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.