Tossing a Coin - A Q&A with Pastor

Q: Is tossing a coin the same as casting lots? Is tossing a coin biblical? Can we use tossing of a coin to know God's will?
A: No, tossing a coin is like gambling, it is not biblical.

Q: Why?
A: We should be guided by the Word of God and not by gambling. It is like deciding between 2 girls to marry. So you flip a coin and pray that head is this girl and tail is that girl. So when the girl asks you why you want to marry her, you say "I flip a coin!" Ridiculous. You can flip a coin for trivial matters that is not life and death, like in a football match, deciding who goes first; but not important life decisions where you need to be guided entirely by God's commandment.

(My view: this is true – what if both girls are non-believers and you decide to flip a coin. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Cor 6:14. God’s will for you could be neither head nor tail!)

Q: But isn't tossing the coin like leaving it up to God to decide on the outcome, similar to casting lots in the bible? It’s it like voting done in churches now?
A: We do not know exactly how the lots were casted in the bible as it did not go into details. Voting in churches firstly is required by law. Secondly it is done with the guidance of God’s word. The Board of elders carefully examine each candidate for election and only shortlist those that are eligible. Then they will allow the congregation to vote between the candidates, but the decision largely lies in the board of elders who are guided by the biblical principles of the eligibility of the candidates. There is extensive application of God’s word in the whole process.

(My view – I think the voting only decides the final candidate, but all shortlisted candidates have already been carefully chosen with God’s help, so exactly who the final candidate is does not matter all that much.)

Bottom line - "That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4. But how do we know the will of God then? We need to read and study to understand his will. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15. So only with more reading and studying you will be able to discern the truth and know God’s will for you.

Originally Posted on SUNDAY, APRIL 4, 2010