Church Tithing Challenge Offers Money-Back Guarantee
Members of a mega church in South Carolina can request a refund, this month, on all the money they've given since March.
It's part of a 90-day tithing challenge that NewSpring Church, as well as hundreds of other congregations across the country, have taken part in.
According to Christianity Today, participants sign up with a commitment to give 10 percent of their income or more, and if "God doesn't hold true to his promises of blessings" after three months, they can request their money back, no questions asked.
Pastor Perry Noble says the challenge is inspired by the Old Testament book of Malachi.
states: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
Of the more than 7,000 participants over the past four years, fewer than 20 have ever asked for their money back.
"Tithing is about being obedient, putting God first in our finances and training our hearts to trust him at his word," church spokeswoman Suzanne Swift said in an interview with Christianity Today.
"It's one of the hardest next steps for many people to take, and the 90-day tithe challenge is one way we can help people with that step."
Advocates for the tithing challenge say this is not prosperity gospel theology, but incentive to help foster a healthy giving habit.
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