I decided to check out the top 25 Most Innovative Churches list that Justin posted yesterday. The #1 church listed (lifechurch.tv) is offering a rather interesting "challenge".

It's called the 3 Month Tithing Challenge and here is what they have to say:

The word "tithe" is derived from the Hebrew word ma'aser and it literally means a tenth. Ten percent of everything belongs to the Lord. In Malachi 3:10-11, God says, "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house." The ‘storehouse' is the Old Testament picture of the New Testament church. So as New Testament believers, we worship the Lord with the tithe; or the ten percent.

Giving away 10% of your income can be a big - and often frightening - commitment! That's why we created the Three-Month Tithing Challenge: a money-back guarantee of sorts. Essentially, it's a contract based on the promises of God in Malachi 3:10-11. We commit to you that if you tithe for three months and God doesn't prove himself faithful, we will refund 100% of your tithe. No questions asked.

God doesn't need our money. He owns everything. We give first because it takes faith to give first and God wants us to trust Him. He tells us in Proverbs 3:9-10 to "honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops and then your barns will be filled with overflowing." We give first and the blessings of God follow.

It's crazy and daring and in a way I respect it… of course it's also just a good way to manipulate people out of their money and shows no regard for scriptures such as Galatians 5:4, but at least they are "putting their money where their mouth is", actually no… they are "putting YOUR money where their mouth is" but whatever… it's an interesting idea.

If you wish to sign up you can do so here. These are the rules that follow:

• 1. I understand that this form must be completed and received by the LifeChurch.tv Finance Team prior to the beginning of the Three-Month Tithe Challenge Period.
• 2. I understand that my household qualifies for participation because we have not been tithing for the last six months.
• 3. I understand that if paid at a physical LifeChurch.tv Campus, my tithe must be paid by check, or by completed offering envelope, so that my tithe can be properly credited.
• 4. I understand that I cannot seek a refund prior to the end of the Three-Month Tithing Challenge Period, and that I cannot seek a refund for any contributions made prior to the beginning of the Three-Month Tithing Challenge Period.
• 5. I understand that any request for refund must be received by the Finance Team within 30 days of the end of the Three-Month Tithing Challenge Period.
• 6. I understand that I must log in prior to paying my tithe online, so that my tithe can be properly credited.
• 7. I would like to test God's faithfulness by accepting the Three-Month Tithe Challenge. I agree that for the three-month period I state below, my household will contribute to God, through LifeChurch.tv, a tithe equal to 10% of our income. At the end of the three-month period, if I am not convinced of God's faithfulness as a result of my obedience to His Word, then I will be entitled to request a refund of the full amount of contributions made during that 90-day period.

I think this idea works the same way CBC can claim "our books are open"; they know no one will follow through. I doubt anyone would ever dare say "God didn't prove himself faithfull". I'm sure it is thinking like this that makes them the "Most Innovative Church". While I don't agree with it, I do like the fact that they are trying something new. 

In fact I would like to offer a similar challenge:

Stop tithing for 3 months and if God goes Malachi 3:9 on your ass I'll start tithing to whatever church you like.  

You have got to check out these pictures of a Drive-In Church in Florida.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/drive_in_church/

It's amazing.

WWJD, Survivor, Chocolate Thunder, et al:
 

It seems like we go through this every few months, but since you’re all new to the blogging ways of the Morton family I’ll be happy to indulge…
 

I would rather get the families together to discuss this, it takes a lot less time that way, but regardless, here we go.
 

My first response will be to address the scriptures listed by WWJD under CBC Talking Points. I will hopefully be able to move on to a more humorous post in the near future, but for now we begin with:
 

GEN 14:18-20
18 Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said:
Abram is blessed by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth, 20 and give praise to God Most High
who has handed over your enemies to you.And Abram gave him a tenth of everything
 

Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. This was not commanded by God or anyone. If you research this scripture in any study Bible you will likely find that what Abram did was a custom not a command.