An article in Thursday’s NZ Herald posed this question  “ Have we all gone mad or is it all worth it to bring a touch of joy into our lives in tough times ? ”.

The reporter was talking about the cost of tickets to Sunday’s NZ All Blacks v France final game with 60,000 people having spent an average of $1000 per ticket to be at Eden Park to watch it live - that’s $56 million and seven times the annual budget of the Auckland City Mission who look after 250,000 people in a year with food parcels & other social services.

One church leader said “Selfishness is the word I’m looking for ………. these are not normal rugby loving people”

Another said “I’m conscious it’s a lot of money but I’m also very aware of the enjoyment & happiness that the RWC has brought to so many people”

So what should be our response to this issue ?

I like the comments in the article of Dr Matheson Russell (philosopher & theologian at Auckland University) who said…………

“ The real question for each fan is this :  Is this $1000 ticket part of a life pattern of  indulgent & self-centered behavior that has little regard for the welfare of others ?
Or is this a cherry on the top of an already meaningful life, a life lived for others, a life of compassion and generosity ? “

ANDREW KERR
Convener – Christian Sports Network NZ

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