Just an fyi: World Vision does have projects here in the states…

No point to be made, except to offer the info… :)

Matthew

MPT – How did I know we’d agree on this??? Hope all is well in Uganda my friend. Love reading your blog this week and I can;t wait to talk when you get home. Also, thanks for allowing me to use your pictures.

In consideration of the Superbowl ad, there are many people in the US who have never given abortion a second thought, and this ad might knee jerk them into some kind of thought process whereby they can see the value of fetal life differently.

I think there are two Scriptures that are very important to look at here.

The first is 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. This is Paul’s passage about the Body of Christ – all parts are needed. I think that’s true when it comes to ministries as well. God has placed passions and vision for different types of ministries in many people. He then equips them to pursue that vision. He then brings alongside people with similar passion and vision, that have the ability to fund that vision and passion. Who are we to disagree with that? Those ministries need to stay focused on their God given mission.

I know that Compassion International, World Vision and Blood:Water Mission are all very popular right now. They resonate with our generations, and we all like what they do. But, they don’t typically get involved in domestic tragedy, right? And they shouldn’t. They have a different mission and vision – and God has provided funding for them, and continues to do so.

We are all called to be and work in different parts of the body – none is any more important than another. Follow the passion and vision God has given you, and focus your time, talent and treasure on that.

The second passage is Matthew 26:6-13. Now when Jesus was at ​Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and ​given to the poor.” 10 But y​Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For z​you always have the poor with you, but a​you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it b​to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever c​this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told d​in memory of her.”

The estimates on the amount of money the jar would have cost vary, but it was at least a year’s salary – an obscenely offensive gesture at the time. Much like $3 Million for an ad today. Does Jesus see it as a beautiful thing that these donors gave this amount of money? I believe it was given sincerely and generously, and God has to be pleased with that. Why should we be indignant and ask as the disciples did, “Why this waste?” Jesus reminds us, starkly, the poor we will always have with us.

With a Super Bowl audience of 93.2 Million people, Focus on the Family is spending roughly $30 per person to show a well done commercial with one of the most prominent college football players of the past few years. His mother was advised to abort him. Thankfully, she did not. The hope is that one, or more abortions are avoided as a result. Even if only one – was it worth the price tag?

I like what Ken has to say, but I wonder why he concludes that because we spend money on concerts and coffee, money that could save lives, that spending 3million on a tv ad is OK. Is it possible that two or three or four wrongs don’t make a right? Maybe we shouldn’t, as Jesus’ people, spend money on Starbucks when our brothers and sisters are dying from lack of clean water. Why isn’t that a legitimate conclusion given Jesus’ life and teaching?

I’m not convinced Jesus would see this a mater of opinion, like we seem to. He clearly and specifically told us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give water to the thirsty. He never told us to invest 3million in a Superbowl ad. Just saying, in the midst of all the grey on this one, it’s pretty clear that one side of the equation has Jesus’ endorsement – he commanded it and said we would be judged based on whether or not we do it.

Unfortunately, I had a hot chocolate at Starbucks today, so I don’t fully believe this yet, but I’m trying.

The press release also says that the donors “gave specifically to the project”. That reads to me that FoF had the idea and donors wanted to support. It doesn’t sound like donors gave unsolicited and FoF was then somehow obligated to do a commercial. If that had been the case, I pray that they indeed sought God’s direction because they could have went back to the donors to show them how the funds could be better used (assuming there is a better use). Our church has done this before with great success. As others said though, hopefully they feel God leading them in this direction which obviously makes the ad the right thing to do.

A total waste of money.