What would you do if you won a million dollars? Would it change the way you live?

On Christmas Day 2002, Jack Whittaker of West Virginia got the news: he had just won the largest undivided lottery in U.S. history (at that time), a whopping $314 million!

Taxes took $200 million, but that still left Jack with over $100 million.

According to a major news service, “Since that pinnacle of fleeting happiness, Jack’s life spiraled downward.

Among other things, he reportedly was arrested twice on drunken-driving charges and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at a strip club.

Jack also pleaded no contest to assault charges and was ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous.

His wife said she wished “she’d torn up the lottery ticket.”

There are some who claim gambling is merely an innocent pastime.

Try telling that to an NBA referee who was sentenced to 25 years in jail for gambling on basketball games.

Or how about the greatest “hits” leader in professional baseball, Pete Rose?

He was barred permanently from the Baseball Hall of Fame for gambling on baseball games.

These are only two of a long list of men and women who have gambled and lost more than they bargained for.

Gambling is a thief, whether it’s a slot machine, lottery ticket, or a high-stakes card game.

Despite legislation worldwide to constrain gambling among adolescents and young people, modern technology with online gaming apps has significantly increased their exposure to the risks of problem gambling.

While gambling is legal in many states, the Bible gives us this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

The wisest and wealthiest man to ever live was King Solomon. He wrote in Proverbs 13:11: “Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; but wealth from hard work grows.” (NLT)

The truth is, money can buy you many things but not character.

Instead of wondering what we would do if we won a million dollars — here are some better questions to consider:

What do we do with the money we have now? Do we lighten the load of anybody? Do we feed any hungry people? Support any orphans? Help educate the illiterate? Undergird a church ministry? 

Or do we just buy a bigger boat, another suit, a wider-screen TV, and the umpteenth pair of shoes? 

There’s nothing wrong with material things unless that’s the main goal of our lives. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Instead of betting on the next “big win,” let’s put God first, store up treasure in heaven and help our fellow man.

That’s a worth-while investment and a life worth living!

Rev. Doug Johnson is the senior pastor at Lexington First Assembly of God in Lexington, Kentucky.