3

What does the Bible say about luck?



    
    

Clarify Share Report Asked July 01 2013 Mini Anonymous (via GotQuestions)

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

12
Shea S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries
The American Heritage Dictionary defines "luck" as follows:1. The chance happening of fortunate or adverse events. 2. Good fortune or prosperity; success....to gain success or something desirable b...

July 01 2013 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


1
My picture Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church
The only place I can point to where the Bible mentions "luck" is Psalm 90:10 in the Message Bible:

MSG: "We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), And what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard."

But generally, I don't think believers believe in luck. However, there is one passage in Ruth 2:3 in the King James Version that gets you to thinking: “Her hap was to light on the field belonging to Boaz." It sounds like happenstance. That's luck or chance. 

However, I believe we should use words like "providence" or "good fortune" instead of "good luck." I love what Samuel Ridout said:

"We see how everything is ordered of God, not by Ruth. She does not know in whose field she is gleaning: ‘Her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz.’ Humanly speaking, it was Rebekah’s hap to be at the well when Abraham’s servant came in search for a bride for his master’s son; it was the hap of the woman of Samaria to meet the Stranger from Judea, who had such words of life and grace to tell her. But we know that what is man’s ‘hap’ is God’s purpose, the purpose of love of Him who sees the end from the beginning and plans it all. His eye was upon Rebekah, and He made her go out to the well the first to meet the servant of Abraham. He constrained the woman of Samaria to go where she would meet the Son of God, and have her life transformed by the message He brought her. He knows and He draws each of us, at the appointed time and in the appointed way, to the place of blessing. How wonderful are His ways, and what love there is behind what seem to be the merest incidents. God is absolutely sovereign. All our blessings are from Him alone. The work of grace, from beginning to end, is His. Therefore to Him alone is all the praise." (Ridout, S. Gleanings from the Book of Ruth. Pleasant Places Press)

October 15 2022 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining