Man Donates $600,000 Lottery Winning To Church - Church Turns Him Down

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(Free-Press-Release.com) August 16, 2008 -- Many people pray about winning the lottery, relying heavily on prayer to increase their chances of winning the lottery. The lottery changes people's lives and that's certainly something to pray about. One such man, Robert Powell, won $6 million in the Florida Lottery.

After winning, Powell tried to follow his religion's tithe commandment by offering to give 10 percent of his winnings to his church, First Baptist Orange Park. Unfortunately, the church and Pastor David Tarkington turned town the $600,000 donation. Though many churches disapprove of both the lottery and gambling, Tarkington refused to specify why he turned down the money.

Other Pastors, like Pastor Dr. Lorenzo Hall of the El-Beth-El Divine Holiness Church who also does not necessarily approve of gambling, would be willing to accept the $600,000 because it could do a lot of good for the church.

Dr. Hall said he would welcome Powell's donation to his church anytime. He says that he does not ask where the money his congregation donates comes from.

"We are in the process now of building a youth center, and you would be surprised at the people that can be helped with $600,000," says Hall.

Other church members, too, play the lottery and say they would also offer 10 percent of their winnings to their church. Bethel Baptist Church member Lottie Walker says if she won, the first thing she would do is give lottery money to her church.

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