“What’s wrong with luck?” you wonder. “Aren't there worse four-letter-words that you could write a post about to get people to stop using them?” No, I don’t think so. Everybody above the age of five knows what those other four-letter-words are to be avoided. Luck is in a category all by itself. It’s not a word that’s inherently offensive. But there are good reasons why we shouldn't use it.
Have you ever thought about the fact that the Bible doesn't use the word luck? Let’s consider what I believe to be the three main reasons why the Bible doesn't talk about luck.
1. Luck Leaves God Out
[Tweet "Luck is a way to try to explain things without including God in the discussion."] We don’t use the word God and the word luck in the same sentence. When something unexpectedly good happens to a person people say, “He’s so lucky!” Do they mean God caused the good fortune? Not at all. If they meant that they would say, “God was good to him!” People don’t usually say “God made you lucky.” God and luck don’t go together.
2. There’s No Such Thing as Luck
The dictionary defines luck as “the things that happen to a person because of chance: the accidental way things happen without being planned, good fortune.” What is chance? It’s something happening by accident or without design. Think about it. If there is something called chance, that isn't controlled by God and it causes things to happen, then chance must be a god, too. No, there’s no such thing as chance or luck.
3. Luck is an Idol
An idol is anything that one turns to instead of to God. In India and many other countries people have actual idols made with hands that they worship. People pray to them and believe that by burning incense to them good things will happen to them.
Ward with Indian businessman beside his idol at his conference center
Many professional athletes have “lucky” rituals like wearing certain items of clothing over and over. Doing that or having lucky numbers or anything like that is no different from burning incense to or praying to a piece of wood.
The Problem with Saying “Good Luck”
What do you mean when you say “Good luck”? What is your intent? Are you saying “I hope that random chance events outside of everyone’s, including God’s, control will turn out for your benefit”? That is exactly what you mean when you say “Good luck.”
5 Things That Are Not Left Up to Luck.
For perspective here are 5 things that some attribute to luck that the Bible tells us God actively controls:
little things, like food for birds Matthew 10:29-31.
random things, the roll of the dice Proverbs 16:33.
powerful things, those who control us Proverbs 21:1.
bad things, for our good Genesis 50:20.
good things, every good gift James 1:17.
Luck isn't real. God is real. Let’s honor God with our words. Instead of saying “Good luck” either say, “May God bless you” or if you’re concerned people will think you’re a religious nut for saying that, say “I hope all goes well for you.” Both will honor God. Saying “Good luck” doesn't.
Please leave a comment or question below.
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My journey of faith started when I was nine years old when I realized that Jesus died and rose again to pay for my sins. At the age of thirteen I felt the call of God on my life for ministry.
I have been fortunate to work in the marketplace for over ten years and in full-time Christian ministry for over thirty years.
My passion is to teach God's Word in such a way that it is easy to understand and so that God uses it to bring about life change in those who hear it.
It is my greatest joy to see God work through me to produce fruit for His glory!
