I've made a couple posts about the lottery and how I don't participate... I seriously hate the lottery... I don't participate in our office's lottery pool and never even considered it. I didn't even join the office gang when they went to play Bingo. I just don't believe in gambling.
BUT it happens sometimes that a person might give me a lottery ticket for some reason like at Christmas. I got one last Christmas from my uncle and won 15$. I cashed it this week and decided that for such cases where I am forced into a lottery situation and win something, I will just donate it to a charity. I'm quite pleased with my solution to just give it.
My husband brought up a scenario: What if I am given a lottery ticket for the 20 million dollars and win it??? Thinking about it seriously, it would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to give that all away to charity. I am the only income for my family and working in a "haram" industry (loans) and I could not *not* use part of this money on myself and my family to remove myself from this and get educated in a field that really would suit me. And I couldn't not keep some to help my family out! And I couldn't not keep some to ensure my daughter has a fund for future needs. My giving plan works well on smaller amounts, but for millions... I couldn't. A new plan had to be made. (lol)
If I win 20 million dollars from a lottery ticket someone gave me, I'd give some to that person and of course spoil people I love. After, there'd be 20% to charities I support. I'd then take care of a basic want by getting a house that would be large enough to accommodate my family, my parents and husband's parents comfortably (and on a farm near town), and keep enough cash for living expenses handy since I would quit my haram job right away, and put the rest in placements that could be yielding, giving all of the earnings to charity. And also with the left over money, I'd like to start some sort of charity or foundation. I don't know what I'd want to do, but it would be Islamic, and open for anyone. Hopefully it would be good dawa... I'd see where the need is in the community.
I guess it's nothing extravagent... I hope to do most of this stuff in my regular little life! Quitting my job, getting a house and starting a charity or foundation. :)
OK, this has been an anti-gambler's little dream on winning the lottery! lol
OOH! I just thought of something to add. I think I might have to "bite the hand that fed me" by using money for a small anti-gambling campaign. Might be controversial, but that's what gets people thinking, isn't it?