We may have had this discussion before, I don’t remember. But Marie Holmes, a mother of 4 children (one of which has cerebral palsy) has won the lottery. Her share is $188 million dollars. You can read the full story here, and there is interesting video.
I don’t play the lottery and am not a supporter of the it.
Marie seems like a solid, grounded woman. I hope she follows through on her plans to set up college funds for her children and make other wise choices. Frankly, many people who win the lottery make foolish choices and cause themselves more pain than the money could ever alleviate.
But Marie says the first thing she plans to do is tithe on her windfall. That would appear to be $18 million, though in reality it probably won’t be that much. If she, like most people, takes a one time payout her $188 million will be around $127 million. What are taxes on that amount? Who knows? But I’m guessing she is looking at pocketing no more than a measly, paltry 80 million or so. Maybe less.
But there is a church somewhere that is looking at a significant check in the offering plate. If she gave 1% of 80 million bucks to my church, it would nearly double our annual budget!
If Marie were a member of your church, what would you do?
Full disclosure here, I stole this idea off Bart Barber’s Facebook, where a lively discussion has taken place. There have been several thoughts.
1) Turn the money down. God’s church need not prosper from something like the lottery.
2) Take the money. Satan’s had it long enough.
3) Take it if she gives it secretly – a sort of financial “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
4) My suggestion was the best, I’m convinced. I would set up the Dave Miller Evangelistic Association and solicit the donation there!
What would you do in an event such as this? Would your church take the money?
