Q: Would it be a sin to want to be famous one day? I want to be an actor but my parents want me to be someone with a stable job...

...should I listen to my parents or do what I want?


A: Ask anyone if they have a crazy bucket-less dream and they'll probably share it with you. Mine would be be a recording artist and perform at Madison Square Gardens, Pastor Ho-Ming's would probably be to own 200+ guitars and travel with U2...others might be the same as yours: to be an actor/actress in Hollywood and one day become a star.

However, most often times than not, reality sinks in...and your parents obviously know that. Ever heard of the term "starving artist"? Take it literally...because those who go down the route that you want to often don't make it and don't have the means to support themselves financially. Your parents have great intentions of pointing you to something realistic and self-sustaining...don't think they are holding you back from what you want to accomplish. They are merely being good parents and giving you good advice.

To answer your question if wanting to be famous is a sin, let's try this equation out:

being famous equals self glory
self glory does not equal God glory
than being famous does not equal God glory

What I'm trying to say is that when you put your fame first before the fame of God, you are creating an idol in your life. An idol is not just a statue or a material good...it's ANYTHING in your life that takes away from you giving all the glory to God.

The fact that that you started this question by saying "Would it be a sin to want to be famous" and not "Would it be a sin to want to be an actor", kind of shows where your heart is: you want to be famous.

You really need to look deep inside your heart and evaluate your intentions. Do you have a gift that you want to share with the world? Will you be using this gift to point to God? Do you believe that God has given you this gift? OR, have you been reading way too many teen magazines of young people making it rich in this world and you desire that same fame?

Not all celebrities are conceited beings who care only about themselves. There are many who have found the balance of having fame with humbleness. However, if you look at the majority, there are many more who have allowed their fame and money to become and idol in their lives. They choose money over marriage, they opt for divorce when it's convenient, and morals are gone out the window in movie roles.

It's about the heart...put God first and cast all idols aside.

God's First Commandment:
"You shall have no other Gods before me"

God's Second Commandment:
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them"
Exodus 20:3-5

[answered by Pastor KJT]

Q: What makes investing different than gambling

Is one wrong? Are they both wrong? Are they both shades of grey? See Matthew 25:16-18: "Putting the money to work". Were they investing or gambling? is there really a difference?

Good question. First, make sure you read our previous post on gambling. Our conclusion, based on biblical principle, is that gambling is wrong. That being said, what about investing? I believe there is a difference. Gambling entails risking money in hopes to make more money quickly. Investing involves the purchase of partial ownership in companies in hopes to make money over time. The latter is a sound means to plan for the future. Matthew 25:16-18 is a parable of wise investment, not gambling.

Of course, there are grey areas (e.g. What about day trading? What about the Poker player who is very good at what he does? etc.). The list can go on and on. Still, I believe there is a principle we can derive from Scripture that can help us distinguish between gambling and investing. The fundamental difference comes down to intent. Is what you are doing for the purpose of being a faithful steward of God's resources, or because you are dissatisfied with what God has given you? Are you satisfied in God or the need to accumulate more wealth? Are you trying to provide for your family or trying to enhance your own pleasure? (1 Tim. 6:17-18).

Being faithful with the resources God has generously given us could mean saving up for education, emergency or family planning. Proverbs 28:20 says this: "A faithful man will abound in blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." This verse speaks against gambling's "get rich quick" mentality. Trying to make lots of money overnight is not only unwise, but brings forth judgment. Investing as a long-term plan for the future, on the other hand, can be wise and fruitful - if your intent is God-centered.

[Answered by Pastor HM]

Q: Is it okay for Christians to buy the lottery?

Lots of questions this week. Keep 'em coming and we'll try our best to answer them.

This great question has been answered by many pastors and thinkers already. Here are some links to a few good articles/resources:

1. Don't Bet On It by Frederica Mathewes-Green

2. A Losing Bet by Dr. Albert Mohler

3. Don't Play Lottery For Me! by Pastor John Piper

4. Why is Gambling Wrong? by Pastor John Piper (audio)

The short answer is NO. The authors seem to point out several common reasons why Christ-followers ought to avoid the lottery. I have listed 6 below:

1. The motive is wrong. People don't just buy the lottery to 'have fun,' but rather they hold to the hope (even if it's a small, small hope) of getting rich. The love of money - as the Apostle Paul said - is the "root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). If we are to follow Jesus, we must fight against the desire to be rich.

2. It is a misuse of what God has given to us. Everything we have and own belong to God. When we play the lottery (or gamble at a casino), we are taking unnecessary (and usually unwise - as there is virtually no chance of you winning) risks with a God-given stewardship of money. We are simply being irresponsible with someone else's money.

3. There is a disruption of the natural cycle of work and reward. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, "If anyone will not work, let him not eat." This is how life operates. Albert Mohler writes, "The Bible points to a very different financial strategy -- work and save. Ten dollars played in the lottery each week adds up to over $10,000 in twenty years. Saved and invested, those same funds would provide a good start toward a college education, a down-payment for a home, or a retirement fund."

4. The lottery preys on the poor. Dr. Mohler writes, "Wealthy persons are not fueling lottery sales. Studies indicate that over 80-percent of all lottery tickets are bought by only 20-percent of purchasers -- and these buyers are disproportionately 'low-income, minority men who have less than a college education.'"

5. The lottery empowers governments to prey on its citizens. When we were in Belize, Central America (on our last missions trip), this point was made abundantly clear. The local government was endorsing the construction of a local casino, but many ordinary citizens protested because they knew it would bring ruin on their community.

6. It may ruin our friend. Even if we are doing it for entertainment & if we are in control of our spending, there are many who aren't. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each year treating those severely addicted to gambling. By playing the lottery, we are tempting and hurting these individuals. The Apostle Paul teaches us to avoid certain cultural activities - even if we are permitted to do so in the Bible - for the sake of weaker brothers and sisters (see 1 Cor. 8).

I think Frederica Mathewes-Green sums the issue up well: "It's not that there is something inherently evil in lotteries. The problem is that there's so little good in them—and so much potential for damage. We should always be aware of the danger that gambling poses to the "weaker brother." Gambling addiction is like alcoholism, and the sheer availability of lotteries ensures that some people who would otherwise never discover their weakness will be sucked into its grip."

[Answered by Pastor HM]