March 21 was the deadline for a one million dollar Powerball winner in Wisconsin to claim his prize. The ticket owner most likely never knew he had such a prize. It was probably washed in his shirt pocket or is in the box between the front seats of his car. It doesn’t matter now. The money has gone into the black hole of the state budget. Actually 57 million dollars worth of lottery prizes have never been claimed just in Wisconsin. Imagine what the number is nationwide.
One cannot help but think of Jeremiah 8:20, “”The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” The horrible truth is even though God is immense in mercy millions will be lost. This is not God’s fault. He is innocent. Provision has been made for everyone. That is difficult for us to understand considering the places and circumstances under which some people live or have lived. The glorious truth here is we don’t have to understand because an amazing all loving God has worked that out for each person born. Finding out how will be one of the joys we will experience in heaven. Paul wrote in Romans 11, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Unsearchable are his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord?”
Not only has God made provision He pursues people with the gift in hand. That is the task of the Holy Spirit. Do you remember Michael Anthony, John Beresfoot Tipton’s man, in the 1950 TV series The Millionaire? His job was to deliver the money. All total there was $206,000,000 given away. Our heavenly Father has an infinite amount to give.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 6, 2016
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