Proverbs 28:22 “He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” 

The airwaves are bombarded with advertisements of huge lottery winnings. Our emails are filled with spam of “get-rich-quick” schemes. And some of the most beautiful locations around the world nowadays are casinos. However, most people are not aware of the terrible ramifications of “get-rich-quick” practices. For example, the NGISC reported to Congress that approximately $5 billion is spent per year to fix problems caused by gambling and the lottery!

The world wants wealth and it wants it now. You can even see this displayed in the present younger generation. Instead of working for years to accumulate possessions, the average young person is getting into debt in order to have that stuff now. 

• Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”
• The faithful man abounds in blessings because he is working day in and day out. 
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• Pro. 28:19 “He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.”
• Faithfully working day in and day out is God’s answer to having income. 
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In each of these 3 verses, we learn some very important facts about people who try to get-rich-quick without earning their living by good hard labor. God stated in the text, Proverbs 28:22, you have “an evil eye.” (The NGISC reported before Congress that gambling often results in spouse abuse, child neglect, and poverty.) And in vs. 20, God said you will “not be innocent.” Despite what this unsaved world claims, gambling is not just a game. You are not just “playing the lottery.” Casinos are not good “vacation” spots. Pursuing fast money or “get rich quick” schemes will corrupt you. Those practices are sinful. In God’s sight, they are not “innocent” fun. 

Not only are these pursuits sinful, but they are unprofitable. God says in vs. 19 and vs. 22 that poverty is the end result. It has been reported that 1/3 of all state lottery winners end up filing for bankruptcy, and 80% of winners wished they had never won! 

So, I trust that you will take your views about money from God’s Word and not the world. The world says that gambling, lottery, and get-rich-quick schemes are fine. God says they are “evil” and those who chase such dreams are “not innocent.” God’s financial solution has always been to faithfully work.