The lottery is a popular pastime that allows people to win big money without having to invest much. However, there are several problems associated with it: It promotes addictive gambling behavior, it is a regressive tax on poorer people, and it concentrates the mind on wealth, rather than hard work. Many Christians, therefore, are opposed to playing the lottery. God wants us to earn our riches, not win them in the lottery (Proverbs 23:5).
Making decisions and determining fates by chance has long been practiced, and the casting of lots is mentioned in the Old Testament as the way for Moses to take a census of the Israelites and divide land among them. Lotteries also have a long history in Europe, where they were used to distribute property, slaves, and even warships. Benjamin Franklin tried to hold a lottery in 1776 to raise funds for the Revolution, but it failed.
Today, state-regulated lotteries are widely available in the United States, with nearly all but one of the 50 states having one. They are popular for their convenience, low cost, and large prizes. Some states use them to increase revenue for education, veterans’ toto hk health programs, and other government needs. Others use them as a replacement for higher taxes on cigarettes, beer, and gambling. Nevertheless, they remain controversial. Many critics say that lotteries are ineffective, unfair, and unjust. They can also be harmful to the environment, and they encourage addictive behavior by exposing people to a high risk of loss.
In Shirley Jackson’s story, a group of small-town citizens assemble in the town square to participate in a yearly lottery. The children on summer break are the first to arrive, and their parents soon join them. The adults display the stereotypical behavior of small-town life, warmly gossiping and discussing work.
After the children select their numbers, Mr. Summers, the organizer of the lottery, introduces himself and explains the rules. He then begins to hand out slips of paper, and the participants choose their number. When little Dave’s paper is spotted with a black spot, a general sigh of disappointment is heard. Nancy and Bill reveal theirs are blank, and Mr. Summers forces mute Tessie to reveal hers, which is black as well.
Everyone then prepares to wait for the drawing of the winners. In the meantime, children play a game of aggregating and sorting stones. The narrator reflects that the black box is very old, and perhaps has pieces of an even older box. Despite its age, the narrator notes, the villagers still respect it for its tradition. This is a clear example of how blind following of outdated traditions can be dangerous, even in seemingly idyllic places. The lesson of the story is that it’s important to stand up against injustice, even if the majority supports it. Even in the most peaceful looking towns, evil can lurk beneath the surface. In the end, this is what Jackson was trying to tell her readers.