“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 NASB).
As America mourned the tragic shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, some political leaders, in pursuit of higher poll numbers, decided to fundraise off those deaths.[1] One presidential candidate went a step further with the subject line, “No more thoughts and prayers.”[2]
Universal Studios, showing a similar disregard for human life, over the past year has invested over $18 million[3] producing a movie called The Hunt:
“The violent, R-rated film from producer Jason Blum's Blumhouse follows a dozen MAGA types [that is, Trump supporters], who wake up in a clearing and realize they are being stalked for sport by elite liberals,” THR’s Kim Masters and Tatiana Siegel wrote. “It features guns blazing along with other ultra-violent killings as the elites pick off their prey.”[4]
In light of the recent mass shootings, Universal agreed to delay the release of the movie, but the studio’s spokesperson nevertheless did not waver in overall support of the production.[5]
Profiting from death and hate is one of the many things of which it can be said “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). After all, Judas, Benedict Arnold, and so many others profited from the unjust death of others throughout history.[6]
Those motivated by money will be a selfish servant of themselves, not of others or of God. As Jesus affirmed:
“No one can serve two masters; either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24 NASB).
Living in an ever-increasingly materialistic society, we must be aware of the fact that there are those who will do anything for self-gain and self-promotion, using any tragedy to further their own goals. Rather than displaying such base selfishness, we should instead “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We should, however, be righteously angry at those who twist things for their own personal economic gain, remembering how Jesus:
“Entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers” (Matthew 21:12-13 NASB).
For those who traffic in hate, and who let a love of money overcome sound judgment, the Bible gives clear warning:
“Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam and perished in the rebellion of Korah” (Jude 1:11 NASB).
Foundations of Truth hereby waives all claim of copyright (economic and moral) in this work and immediately places it in the public domain; it may be used, published, edited, and distributed in any manner whatsoever without any attribution or notice to Foundations of Truth.
[1] Rosas, J. (2019, August 6). Democratic Party fundraising off mass shootings in El Paso, Dayton. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/democratic-national-committee-uses-mass-shootings-to-fundraise
[2] Singman, B. (2019, August 5). Democratic Party fundraising off mass shootings in El Paso, Dayton. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-party-fundraises-off-mass-shootings
[3] Film and television tax credit program 2.0 - Alphabetical listing of approved projects. (2018). Retrieved from http://film.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2.0-Website-Approved-Projects-List-Online-07.23.2018.pdf
[4] Flood, B. (2019, August 7). Hollywood blockbuster that satirizes killing of ‘deplorables’ causes outrage: ‘Demented and evil.’ Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-hunt-movie-deplorables
[5] Napoli, J. (2019, August 10). 'The Hunt' canceled by Universal following significant backlash. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/the-hunt-canceled-by-universal-following-significant-backlash
[6] Benedict Arnold. (2009, October 27). Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/benedict-arnold
