Being a millionaire seemed like a good enough idea, so after work today I headed over to my local Shell gas station where I purchased a $1 scratch and win card and a $1 powerball card. Being “Be a Millionaire Day,” I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by the fact that I WON!!! That’s right, I scratched all of the numbers off and found three 8′s!!! Woo Hoo!! The lady at the gas station had told me that she was selling me lucky tickets, but I had no idea. So I walked in and told her that she was right, they were good ones and I promptly collected my winnings. So now that I won back the $2 that I originally spent on the tickets, I just have to wait until Saturday night to see if I win really big.
At least 1 out of 2 winners...
So I am not a big gambler, but I have found that there are a few occasions that I enjoy placing a small wager on something. Here are the five times I enjoy placing a bet.
- During a college Bible class where Dr. North is explaining to us how if you use a scholarly biblical textual study you will realize that one of the 10 Commandments is “Do not gamble” so we should all vote against the Oklahoma lottery. During that class I wagered 20 on UCLA against USC because I thought a 20 point spread was ridiculous. USC won by 40.
- The Kentucky Derby.
- When I go to Texas. Back when it was illegal to buy lottery tickets in Oklahoma I would always buy a scratch off card when I would go to Texas. By the time it became legal in Oklahoma I was ahead by about 8 dollars.
- Occasionally during difficult financial times at the church, the elders will pray that God will provide financially for the church. I have seen amazing things happen when our elders pray about it. People who were struggling to get pregnant conceived. People who needed jobs or couldn’t sell a house almost immediately saw their prayers answered. So I figure if the elders are praying for the church’s finances, that me tithing from a $170 million lottery ticket would be an answer to that pray. I just provide an opportunity for prayers to be answered.
- I like to place $5 on a bizarre Superbowl prop bet. Not on anything normal, but on something like whether the coin toss will be heads or tails, whether the half time show will include a certain song, or whether Archie Manning will be shown on camera more or less than 8 times during a Superbowl his son is playing in.
So now when I am a millionaire someday, you will know how it happened. Good luck to everybody else who bought a lottery ticket today.
PS I voted against the lottery in Oklahoma. I also agree with my dad who used to call gambling a tax on the poor, the stupid, and people who can’t do math. That being said, I won today.
