Winning lottery ticket worth $30,000 found in church collection plate

Mar 29, 2011, 12:12 pm (47 comments)

Maryland Lottery

BALTIMORE, Md. — A struggling Baltimore parish received a surprising donation two Sundays ago, when a Maryland Lottery Cash Craze Crossword scratch-off ticket worth $30,000 arrived in the collection plate.

The ticket, which was already scratched revealing the win, was discovered by the church's pastor when tallying the day's contributions.

"I'm not too familiar with these tickets," said the pastor. "I asked somebody if it was a winner." The response was "It looks like it's a winner to me." With this affirmation, the 55-year-old church leader brought the ticket to Lottery Headquarters, where the largesse of an anonymous individual was confirmed.

"I have no idea who did this," the pastor declared. "I really have no clue."

The church, which has been experiencing financial difficulties, will use the money toward operating expenses, but the pastor also wishes to give some back to the people. "We have a lot of people in need," he said. "Hopefully, we can give some back, especially since this is the way we received it."

Although this unexpected windfall is much-appreciated, the church still faces financial challenges. With that in mind, the smiling pastor said that he intended to buy $5 worth of Mega Millions tickets for last Friday's drawing which had a jackpot of $312 million.  He apparently did not win, as one ticket from New York scooped the massive grand prize.

The donated winning ticket was purchased at #1 Liberty Mart, located at 8625 Liberty Rd. in Randallstown.

News story photo(Click to display in gallery)

Press Release, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

delS

Im glad to read this.  Now I want the Powerball or Mega Millions Jackpot to be hit in Maryland.  I want to be the winner!  Lol. I checked the 25 top MM and PB Winners and maryland has barely a presence on the list.

Our day is coming soon.  Like tomorrow with me winning Powerball.

Empress-N's avatarEmpress-N

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but, don't the majority of the churches preach that gambling is a sin and against the will of God? huummm well what do you know. (no. I'm not talking about the churches that encourages and plays bingo)

There's a sayings in the caribbean that goes like this: When times get hard even fowl haffe eat parch corn.

All in all May God bless the individual/persons for sowing a blessing, this is charity and that person will be blessed.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Empress-N on Mar 29, 2011

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but, don't the majority of the churches preach that gambling is a sin and against the will of God? huummm well what do you know. (no. I'm not talking about the churches that encourages and plays bingo)

There's a sayings in the caribbean that goes like this: When times get hard even fowl haffe eat parch corn.

All in all May God bless the individual/persons for sowing a blessing, this is charity and that person will be blessed.

No, gambling is not a sin.

In fact, many churches have Bingo nights as fundraisers.

Littleoldlady's avatarLittleoldlady

I call it "investing".  the rate of return when done right is way more than the banks give you.  I applaud the person for being so generous and doing it anonymously.   My Dad always taught us this verse from the Bible.

 "Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days it WILL return."

B$Rizzle's avatarB$Rizzle

Quote: Originally posted by Empress-N on Mar 29, 2011

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but, don't the majority of the churches preach that gambling is a sin and against the will of God? huummm well what do you know. (no. I'm not talking about the churches that encourages and plays bingo)

There's a sayings in the caribbean that goes like this: When times get hard even fowl haffe eat parch corn.

All in all May God bless the individual/persons for sowing a blessing, this is charity and that person will be blessed.

I was under that impression as well. Not sure If I thought churces considered it a "sin", but I did think that most were against it. I remember a while back a church-goer won big on the lottery and tried to donate a huge sum to his local church. They denied it and wouldnt take the money. I don't know much about different religions and their beliefs, but I do know that some of them are against gambling.

 

However, all churches are not shy about putting an offering plate in front of you =)

Empress-N's avatarEmpress-N

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 29, 2011

No, gambling is not a sin.

In fact, many churches have Bingo nights as fundraisers.

I know it's not a sin, but from my personal experiences from involvement in various denominations I have personally heard some of them preach that gambling to be a sin and as christians we should not participate in those things blah, blah, blah etc...etc...

I always say "From the moment you swing your foot out of bed you are taking a gamble" so I would never consider any form of gambling to be a sin.

I have a lot of friends that are regular church goers/members one of them does my taxes so I jokingly ask her if I could include my lottery losses she and her husband shouted "You gamble", and the preaching starts so I just tell them that the minute they open their front door to go out they just took the biggest gamble of their lives, and that shut them right up.

I agree with you 100% Todd, I love all games of chance and do not consider any of it to be a sin.

Empress-N's avatarEmpress-N

Quote: Originally posted by B$Rizzle on Mar 29, 2011

I was under that impression as well. Not sure If I thought churces considered it a "sin", but I did think that most were against it. I remember a while back a church-goer won big on the lottery and tried to donate a huge sum to his local church. They denied it and wouldnt take the money. I don't know much about different religions and their beliefs, but I do know that some of them are against gambling.

 

However, all churches are not shy about putting an offering plate in front of you =)

Thats the truth B$Rizzle, they pass that plate around like 3 times in some churches, I asked a preacher if I won millions from the lottery would he refuse my 10% donation and he just looked at me so I answered for him and he just smiled.

However you are right some would refuse it on those grounds if they know it came form the source of gambling and some are not shy they will rejoice for the donation, some would even continue to call you for more money.

tracyjohn

God will bless that kind person ,Good for you .

player345's avatarplayer345

I have been told by clergy that God can bless you any way he wants to.  I have been in dire straights and was blessed with money that helped me to pay a bill due that very day or to help someone else who was in financial straights also.  Prayer does change things and the person who gave the $30,000.00 believed it too.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Empress-N on Mar 29, 2011

I know it's not a sin, but from my personal experiences from involvement in various denominations I have personally heard some of them preach that gambling to be a sin and as christians we should not participate in those things blah, blah, blah etc...etc...

I always say "From the moment you swing your foot out of bed you are taking a gamble" so I would never consider any form of gambling to be a sin.

I have a lot of friends that are regular church goers/members one of them does my taxes so I jokingly ask her if I could include my lottery losses she and her husband shouted "You gamble", and the preaching starts so I just tell them that the minute they open their front door to go out they just took the biggest gamble of their lives, and that shut them right up.

I agree with you 100% Todd, I love all games of chance and do not consider any of it to be a sin.

Also, ask someone if they put money in the stock market.  Is someone going to suggest the stock market is not gambling?

The bottom line is that gambling is a form of entertainment, and should be done in moderation, like anything in life.

I'm not sure why some churches/ministers/preachers/churchgoers feel that they need to treat gambling like a sin.  You certainly can't point to a single passage in the Bible that indicates gambling is a sin.

Maybe it's like that Twilight Zone episode where they guy who rants and fumes about his wife wanting to play a slot machine is the one who is really weak, and they're ranting because they are trying to guard against their own personal weaknesses.  Too bad the only way they can think to do that affects everyone else's freedom.

fwlawrence's avatarfwlawrence

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Mar 29, 2011

Also, ask someone if they put money in the stock market.  Is someone going to suggest the stock market is not gambling?

The bottom line is that gambling is a form of entertainment, and should be done in moderation, like anything in life.

I'm not sure why some churches/ministers/preachers/churchgoers feel that they need to treat gambling like a sin.  You certainly can't point to a single passage in the Bible that indicates gambling is a sin.

Maybe it's like that Twilight Zone episode where they guy who rants and fumes about his wife wanting to play a slot machine is the one who is really weak, and they're ranting because they are trying to guard against their own personal weaknesses.  Too bad the only way they can think to do that affects everyone else's freedom.

The stock market is not gambling. You are investing in a company with products and earning. Gone are the days of the bucket shops which were pretty much gambling.

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

May his giving hand never fail him.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by fwlawrence on Mar 29, 2011

The stock market is not gambling. You are investing in a company with products and earning. Gone are the days of the bucket shops which were pretty much gambling.

Smile

Tell that to the millions of people who have lost their life savings and retirement on the stock market over the past decade.

Many of those investments were in "sure things".   *chuckle* 

Note that I'm not saying the stock market is a *bad* thing.  Quite the opposite.  But I do recognize it for what it is, and don't try to turn it into something it's not.

MADDOG10's avatarMADDOG10

Thats what I call a plate of offerings. That was an unselfish deed on that individuals part, and he / she will be rewarded.

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As for the stock market, anytime you invest, whether to win or lose it's gambling....!

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