“Should a Christian Use the Word “Luck”
Genesis 50:19-21

Introduction

• I personally cannot believe how many people (Christian or not Christian) use the word “luck/lucky.”
• I have caught myself saying it when I am talking to others using the word to describe an event that took place in someone’s life or whatever.
• Let me also preface this sermon by saying that we cannot and are not supposed to judge others by saying… “They cannot be saved or Christian if they use the word luck.”
• That would be false. The way to think about someone who uses the word luck is that they are ignorant to the facts about using it because many people do not know what is wrong with it and don’t stop and think about what they are saying.

I. Examining the Word Luck

A) It’s Definition

• Luck (noun) \ ˈlək  \Definition of luck – 1a: a force that brings good fortune or adversity. Luck was a big factor in the outcome. b: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual The loser muttered something about bad luck.

2: favoring chance also: SUCCESS… had great luck growing orchids

• Luck (verb) Definition of luck, lucks, lucked 1: to prosper or succeed especially through chance or good fortune —usually used with the word “out”… the hero lucks out and is able to escape 2: to come upon something desirable by chance —usually used with the words “out, on, onto, or into” lucked into a wonderful opportunity
• To use the word “luck” or “lucky” is to say that your world is ruled or governed by chance. That leaves God out of the equation. 
• Christians who use this term “luck/lucky” are not glorifying God but rather denouncing God as being the controller in their life.
• To thank one’s lucky stars –To be grateful for good fortune. In ancient and medieval times, the stars were 

believed to have a powerful influence over the lives and destinies of human 
beings. Thanking thestars for good fortune, therefore, was a bit of superstitious
politeness. 

• This term “thank my lucky stars” would then mean that it’s the stars who brought you some good thing or event in your life.
• This term is used by people who believe that the stars are in control of your life or the world and all its events.

II. Luck/Chance or God

A) Story of Joseph

• As we look at or text this morning of Genesis 50, and let us see…
• Joseph’s father is dead – Gen. 50:1… was it just bad luck, or chance?
• Joseph’s brothers living in fear – Genesis 50:15…And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite (payback or get even) us all the evil which we did unto him. Was it bad luck/chance that their father happened to die at this time while Joseph is in a position to punish them or kill them for the way they treated Joseph?
• Joseph has a Godly heart, a Christ like attitude that all Christians should have…Genesis 50:19…And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
• In other words, Joseph is saying… “I am where God wants me to be.” He did not say “As luck would have it I have a great job and position in life.” Joseph is naturally a Godly person and gave glory to God for the events in his life that gave him the high position in service to the King.
• Look at Joseph’s outlook on his life in verse 20) But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21) Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
• When Joseph said “God meant it for good,” he did not say that “it was good luck.” He gave God the glory.

B) Random acts or Divine will

• From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random. People may think “accidents happen” or “Things happen.”
• Throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear God is in control of all His creation. God is able to take the random acts of natural law (Death, storms, events) the free will of both good and evil people and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will.
• Christians, specifically, are given the promise that God works all things, whether seemingly good or bad.
• Romans 8:28… And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
• Everything that happens in a Christian’s life should be recognized as the Divine will of God in their life NO LUCK.

III. No Matter How Large or Small

A) How small

• Matthew 10:29…Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31) Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
• Sparrows are a small bird, and God takes care of them. Sees to it that they are fed.
• The hair on our head, God s careful to number them. Some are few some are many. But God has a purpose for some being hairy while others are bald.
• No matter how small, God is in control.
• Sparrows did not just get “lucky” that there are twigs available to make their nest, or “lucky” that a worm appeared when they were hungry.
• It is not luck that some have hair and some don’t.

B) How large

• Proverbs 21:1…The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
• Here again is proof in God’s word that a King’s heart, a leader’s heart, a presidents heart is controlled by God.
• A river can be small or big, and it too is governed or controlled by God. It is not luck that the river went out of it’s banks and flooded a town or farm.
• IT IS THE HAND OF GOD. Not luck!
• Did I mention that in all of scripture (The Bible) you will not find the word “Luck or lucky?” WHY? Because it is not a word in God’s vocabulary. Neither should it be in our vocabulary.. 

IV. Luck or Chance Has No Purpose

A) According to His purpose

• When you believe in “luck or chance,” then you are also believing that there is no reason or purpose behind anything that happens or anything that a person does or has happen to them.
• Again, you are taking God as non-existent or not in control.
• Paul tells the church at Ephesus and also us today in Ephesians 1:11…In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
• Let me remind you of the definition of the word “predestined.”
• It means… that before the earth was formed, God decided that all of His chosen people (those who believe in Him and His Son) would be made righteous through His Son (Jesus Christ) no matter how bad, how useless, and deserving of death they would be.
• Now note verse 11c… who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
• God “…who worketh all things” means that there is nothing left to chance or luck.
• IT IS GOD! He is in control. God is what makes things happen. It is never “luck or chance.”
• This is a lie straight from the lips of Satan who hates God, Satan who twists God’s words and meanings, and Satan who steals God’s glory.

B) Removing the word “luck”

• Using the work luck or lucky is a bad habit.
• Like any bad habit, it is hard to break.
• Many times we need to find something to replace it. Like cigarette smokers replace their habit with chewing gum.
• Liars replace their habit of telling lies with telling the truth.
• So what can we replace with the word “luck?”
• I believe that we should replace it with “bless or blessed.”
•  Instead of saying “Good luck.” Say “God bless you.”
• Instead of thinking “Boy, was I lucky today that went to the basement when that tornado hit.” We should think “God blessed me by providing a safe place to be in the time of storm.”
• Don’t say “luck”, say “Bless.”