Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Even if a church raffle were to be openly and honestly conducted as a means of raising funds for a valid and worthy cause, with completely voluntary participation by sponsors/prize donors and participants, I would say there would still be some issues of concern with respect to it from a biblical perspective.

Just the presence of the element of chance in the raffle (apart from the worthiness of the cause for which the raffle is being held), coupled with the offering of a prize, might tempt some individuals who believe that such an activity is wrong, or who do not have adequate self-control, to violate their conscience, or to devote resources to it that they would more advisedly use or need for other purposes. This would fall under Paul's admonishment in 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 for Christians not to use their freedom in Christ in a way that creates "stumbling blocks" for others.

Also, although the Bible refers to the casting of lots to determine God's will, it nowhere (to my knowledge) mentions or sanctions the use of games of chance to fund church activities, and especially so (I would say) if it involves mingling the funds of believers with those of unsaved individuals in the community-at-large who are participating solely or chiefly out of the hope of material gain, rather than from a pure spirit of benevolence or free will.

It might also present a negative witness of the church's faith to others, from the standpoint of raising funds in this manner, rather than relying solely on God and the free will of individuals to provide for the church's needs.

January 20 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report