【講師コラム】エセル講師No.17～What would you do if you won the lottery?

Winning the lottery is a life-changing event that everyone wishes. I believe that such a change can bring about a lot of good, but it can also bring about some bad. I recall an incident that occurred several years ago involving a lottery winner. He was so overwhelmed by it that he lived lavishly that everyone around him assumed he had won the lottery. As a result, robbers broke into his house one evening, stole all of his money, and murdered him.

If I won the lottery, which is unlikely because I don’t participate in such activities, I would live my life as if it were my last; I believe that is the best way to consider how I would spend the money. I like to fulfill the purpose of my existence. It would also keep my heart away from greed, vanity, and gluttony.

So, how would I put the money to use? To begin, I would use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do good for my fellowmen by donating a large portion of it to those in need: the less fortunate, marginalized groups in our society, and war victims. I would subsidize cancer treatments for poor patients; it is heartbreaking to see children die from such illnesses simply because their parents cannot pay for the treatment. These are just a few of the many difficulties people face.

Second, I would assist people who are struggling due to a lack of employment by providing them with fishing net so they could fish. I would also establish a foundation for the development of agriculture and farming; I wish experts could find practical and doable solutions to help people live more sustainably.

Last but not least, I will never forget to make my loved ones happy: my family, relatives, and friends. Every parent wishes for their children’s success. So, I’d put the rest of the money into a trust fund to ensure my children’s future after I’m gone.

In this uncertain world, it is easy to become fixated on our wealth, believing it will solve our problems. Wealth can be a gift from God, and when properly managed, we can use it to bring Him glory. God calls us to be generous and ready to share with those who have less in times of prosperity. We store the treasure of a good foundation for the future by being charitable and rich in good works.