Thelma and Victor Hayes struck it rich. In August of 2005, the Canadian couple won more than $7 million (Canadian) in the lottery.<\/p>\n\n
There are a few additional facts that make the story interesting. According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, Thelma and Victor are one of the oldest couples ever to win such a large jackpot. At the time they won, the Hayes' had been married 63 years, and both of them were 89-years-old.<\/p>\n\n
During a televised interview, Thelma and Victor were asked the typical question, "What are you going to do with the money?" The couple responded that, at this stage in life, they were unlikely to become "giddy high spenders." In fact, they intended to remain in the retirement home where they lived.<\/p>\n\n
While her husband planned on buying a Lincoln Town Car, Thelma's personal shopping list contained only one item. She told reporters, "I'm getting a new pair of nylons."<\/p>\n\n
Thelma's response was widely reported as at least comical, if not foolish. How could someone win a fortune and change nothing but her nylons? In the same way, how can those who have won the spiritual grand prize not live in a way that is consistent with being a new creation in Christ?<\/p>","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"template":"","tax_ctp_audience":[],"tax_ctp_authors":[],"tax_ctp_categories":[165],"tax_ctp_format":[171],"tax_ctp_illustration_types":[411],"tax_ctp_multimedia":[],"tax_ctp_point_editor":[],"tax_publications":[140],"tax_ctp_tags":[3369,3477,3517,3550,3557,3592,3661,3683,3691,3764,3921,3999,4002,4329,4374,4488,4537,4541,4699,4731,5266],"tax_ctp_topics":[388],"class_list":["post-46479","sermon-illustrations","type-sermon-illustrations","status-publish","hentry","tax_publications-ct-pastors","tax_ctp_tags-accepting-christ","tax_ctp_tags-behavior","tax_ctp_tags-born-again","tax_ctp_tags-cause-effect","tax_ctp_tags-change","tax_ctp_tags-christian-life","tax_ctp_tags-conduct","tax_ctp_tags-contentment","tax_ctp_tags-conviction-of-sin","tax_ctp_tags-desert","tax_ctp_tags-experiencing-god","tax_ctp_tags-folly","tax_ctp_tags-foolishness","tax_ctp_tags-knowing-god","tax_ctp_tags-lifestyle","tax_ctp_tags-money","tax_ctp_tags-new-birth","tax_ctp_tags-new-life","tax_ctp_tags-presence-of-god","tax_ctp_tags-prosperity","tax_ctp_tags-wealth"],"acf":{"scripture_references":[{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null}]},"yoast_head":"\n