No, not me.

I’ve been sick the past few days and last night I was on Amazon digging through the DVDs (it’s been a while since I’ve gone DVD shopping, and I’m a little behind the curve).  Well, I discovered that Mel Gibson has FINALLY released the definitive edition of The Passion of the Christ.  No I am not going to rag on Mel Gibson.  Frankly, I think he’s a man who has many problems but is still genuine in his faith.  Does he stumble?  Yes.  Don’t we all?

The thing that bothered me was one of the reviews of the DVD.  A customer of Amazon (without having bothered to even view the product) went on a tirade about how Jesus wouldn’t want us to purchase this product!  He made claims like “Jesus would be horrified by this” and other such self-indulgent CRAP.

Let’s think about this very seriously.

The Passion of the Christ was a ministering tool, yes.  However it was also a movie.  No one EVER said that something done for the glory of God can’t also make money!  People get angry at Mel Gibson because he’s making money off the new version.  So basically . . . ANY artist who does something as a witness piece is not allowed to sell it?  What a load!  God wants us to use that which has been given us (as exampled in Jesus’ parable of the talents).  Wouldn’t the production of a DVD fall under that category?  Why is it that we gripe about The Passion of the Christ being re-released in a two disc version (which I fully intend to buy) but not even blink when Ben Hur is released in a four disc version.

I know, I know, a lot of people are going to look at me and go: “Ben Hur?  What does that have to do with Jesus?”

If you’ve ever actually taken the time to read the book by Lew Wallace, you’d know that the full title is “Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ”.

Back to the point though.  Why is it that too many Christians get bent out of shape when it comes to making money?  And even more so when Jesus gets involved?  I guarantee you, these are the same people who hissed at Peyton Manning when he gave credit to Christ after the playoffs.  Why?  God never once said that he wanted Christians to live in poverty, or have to live paycheck to paycheck.  “The LOVE of money is A root of all kinds of evil.”  Emphasis mine.  This does not say “MONEY is THE root of all evil.”

C’mon guys!  Let an artist create!  At least he’s doing something.  How many of us can say the same?