Tithing with Satisfaction Guaranteed
The thought of giving away 10 percent of your income can be scary, especially if you've never done it regularly.
That's why John dark offered a money-back guarantee to those at Trinity Assembly of God in Comstock, Michigan, who were willing to try timing. "Last April I introduced a 90-day 'Prove Me Challenge" to the people, based on Malachi 3:8-12, " says Pastor dark. "Many in the church were having financial difficulties and didn't feel they could tithe faithfully. What they needed was some sort of encouragement to step out in faith."
The challenge: to give at least 10 percent of their income plus at least $1 per week in offerings for the next 90 days. If God did not meet their needs during that time, the church would refund the full recorded amount given.
What happened?
• Many who had never tithed before signed a commitment card. "If the church believes in it that much, it must work," said one member.
"It did work," says Clark. "No one has asked for a refund."
• Giving increased. Offerings the previous three months had averaged $737 a week; during the challenge (May-July), they averaged $864. "And that's even more encouraging since offerings usually drop off as summer begins," the pastor says.
"The results of the challenge have been so good that we're extending it indefinitely."
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