"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich," 2 Corinthians 8:9.

I thought of this text when I read the news that Newtownabbey woman Mary Hamilton has recently won £12,935,936.30 on the Euro-millions draw. To give her due credit, she says she plans to use the money to help others. It is a story most remarkable in the eyes of most people and doubtless will cause envy!

But I have a story to tell that is even more remarkable in every way.

Before I come to that, I wish to say a little about sweepstakes and lotteries. Such things are forbidden under the tenth commandment. Our good old Westminster Standards, in the Larger Catechism, teaches this about the matter. Q. 148. "The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate; envying and grieving at the good of our neighbour, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his."

Remember the words of the Saviour: "Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth," Luke 12:15.

This is what lies behind the desire to gamble - a discontentment with our lot as provided by the Lord and an attempt to alter it by means other than those He has ordained.

But there are more glorious and immense riches that we all are invited to partake of. We are speaking of riches that stretch beyond the horizons of our understanding and comprehension.