2 Samuel 16:9,11 - "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head...let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him."

Matthew 7:15 - “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Matthew 24:11 - “…and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Perry Noble is Latest to Offer "90-Day Money Back Guarantee" on the Tithe

Perry Noble is the latest pastor to issue a formal "money back guarantee" to his church members as a gimmick to get a revenue boost at the church.

Ed Young, Jr. has tried this money-back guarantee gimmick. Also, Robert Morris has tried the gimmick at his church and he has pushed it in churches around the country including Celebration Church in my own city of Jacksonville, Florida when Morris preached earlier this year for Stovall Weems.

Below is the video of Perry Noble issuing the challenge. Here is a link at the church website to a form one must fill out to let the church know you are taking the challenge. I guess to qualify you need to let God, er, I mean NewSpring, know you are taking the challenge? When do you think NewSpring will post a redemption link for people to request their tithe back?


If a discerning Christian watches Perry's video and listens very closely, they will see how absolutely ridiculous this "guarantee" is, and why members at Perry's church should absolutely reject this idea as the money-grubbing marketing scheme that it is.

Let me give some commentary on Perry's guarantee to help you see why members of Perry's church should be offended and disgusted at such a challenge:

"Here's what we believe here at Newspring Church:  you cannot out-give God."

I hate this statement. I've heard it for years, and you have too, probably. Of course God is God, so who really could "out-give" God? Who said you can? I hate this statement because of how the preachers like Perry who utter it want to use it to motivate gullible people to fork over more money to their church.

The implication of this phrase "you cannot out give God" is that the more money you give to the  church, the more blessings you will receive. This statement implies that your material blessings are tied to how much money you give. More money, more blessings. Less money or no money, no blessings, only curses.

The phrase "you cannot out give God" implies that by giving to Perry's church you are "giving to God" (which is not true), and it implies that you cannot give too much to Perry's church because God will make sure he has your back no matter how much you give. You CAN give too much money to Perry's church, if you cannot afford it and if it means you can't properly care for your family. God makes no promise to Christians to subsidize foolish donations made to a 501(c)3 religious organization.

And we're just getting started.  Here's the next phrase from Perry worth examining:

"And the very first way we that we put God first in the area of our finances is the tithe: 10% of our gross income."

 Oh yes. If you are truly committed to Jesus, you will show it by giving 10% of your income. Not 10% of your "net" income. It has to be the "gross", the before-tax amount, of course.

This sentence is the shortest and softest way to sell to his church members - as the piano gently plays in the background - the false claim that unless you put God first in your finances by tithing, you are subject to a curse on all of your finances and you subject yourself to all sorts of calamity at the hands of God. Perry has said so before.

And one minor detail:  the "tithe" in the Old Testament was not "10% of our gross income". As documented over and over on this blog, the Old Testament tithe was 23 1/3%, not 10%. But preachers know you can't give THAT much, so they round it off to an tidy 10%. When preachers like Perry can't be completely truthful about even the percentage of the tithe from the Old Testament, what makes anyone think they are being truthful of how the verse applies to the Christian?

"And we believe that what the bible says in Malachi chapter 3, verse 10, is true, that if we will put God first with the tithe, then He will bless us."

Yep, "if...then"....if you give 10% of your income, then God will bless you. And as Perry has said before, there is another "if...then" that he believes:  if you do NOT give 10%, then God CANNOT bless you. In fact you are under a curse.

But that is all pure poppycock. It is fiction. It is a preacher using the Old Testament verses in Malachi that were really spoken to the religious leaders of the day who were robbing the resources given to them by the people. These verses applied to those living under the Old Covenant. Those verses have no more application to the Christian's life than to the Old Testament verses on circumcision.

Perry doesn't give any New Testament verses that deal directly with how Christians should give (generously, consistently, and cheerfully), as those verses don't suit his purposes. They might actually lead to a church member believing they are obeying God at a level less than 10%, and Perry can't have that. Instead, it is more profitable to him to use Malachi 3 to make you think that the pathway to blessings is to give minimum of 10% of your income to his church.

And next, we see the kicker...that Perry and NewSpring actually do NOT believe Malachi 3:10:


"We believe it [the principle of the tithe] to the point that we are challenging you to take our 90-day tithe challenge. And in 90 days if you don't like feel God has blessed you...we will refund every dime you gave..."

This is my favorite part of the money-back guarantee, because it proves the preacher doesn't actually believe what he preaches concerning the tithe. The entire premise of the "tithe" is that it belongs to God, and if you don't bring your 10% to church, you are stealing because that portion of your income doesn't belong to you, it belongs to God (and to give it to God, you have to of course deliver it in a pre-printed envelope, with the check made not to "God" but to "NewSpring Church".)

So get this:  if it belongs to God and not you, and if Perry Noble and NewSpring church leaders actually believed that....then how on earth would they think it OK to take what was not yours to begin with (your tithe), and give it back to you just because you want it back? Wouldn't that mean THEY are robbing God by taking what you gave to God and then giving the money, which is God's money, back to you? Wouldn't Perry and NewSpring now be under a curse? Where in scripture did the priests have the right to give back from the storehouse anything that was already given?

This proves that either Perry doesn't believe what he teaches about the tithe, or maybe a scarier proposition: perhaps Perry believes he and NewSpring Church ARE God. Or maybe it really is a hoax, they know it, and they just think you're too stupid to carefully consider the implications of their guarantee.

Here's one that I can't believe they didn't edit out or do a retake on:

"If you don't feel like God has blessed you, if you don't feel like God has done what his word has said, if you believe God's a liar, then's here's what we'll do:  we'll refund every dime you gave during that 90-day period, no questions asked. We're not sending anybody to your house, nothing weird."

When you watch the video, you'll see Perry give a chuckle or snicker as he says "if you believe God's a liar"....because here is the catch:  if you actually make a claim to have your money refunded, this will be interpreted by your church to mean you believe God is a liar. Perry says they won't send anybody to your house. Maybe not, but you will be singled out as a heretic, a money-grubber, someone who is hurting the church.

There you have it...the "90-Day Challenge" from Perry Noble and NewSpring Church.

Next post:  Watchdog will issue his own "Challenge" to members of Newspring Church, so stay tuned!!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Perry Noble truly believed what he was preaching (you can't out give God), wouldn't he put that into practice and give his entire salary (100%) to God (his church)?

Instead of a manipulative scheme, why not lead by example and show the congregation just how much he believes in the tithe?

The fact that he doesn't do that shows me that he really doesn't believe in his own teachings.

FormerNewSpringer said...

Thank you for exposing this SCAM!!!

I'm not surprised by this latest news and I'm sooooo glad that I got out of NewSpring when I did. The whole place is run more like a business than a church. In my time there, I saw a lot of baby Christians and neglected sheep. They are literally starving for spiritual food at NewSpring. Please pray for the people at NewSpring that they will "see the light" and find a church that truly cares about their spiritual needs.

Anonymous said...

Why not make it a real challenge. Since the church is so certain that God will bless them monetarily, then why not offer to double their money back. Now that would be a real challenge. I bet they would have lots of takers.

FBC Jax Watchdog said...

Anon - you're stealing my thunder for tomorrow's post. :)

Karen said...

I think the drum beat for the 10% has something to do with Perry Noble taking two months off starting now. There's an announcement video on his blog. He's not going to decline his paycheck and the church is going to have to pay the continuous stream of guest pastors.

Church attenders better pony up their hard earned dollars to give Perry eight weeks off. Never mind that workers in SC are lucky to get two weeks (many get one or none) off each year.

Gee, shucks, Perry isn't just like regular folk at all!

Anonymous said...

Come on people, don't you see how stressful these pastors have in the ministry and how they need to take a long rest to cope.

WHAT A JOKE! They don't know what it's like working in the real world. 8 weeks of sabbitical with pay and a promise of "90-Day Money Back Guarantee" if you keep his paycheck coming in.

Junkster said...

So get this: if it belongs to God and not you, and if Perry Noble and NewSpring church leaders actually believed that....then how on earth would they think it OK to take what was not yours to begin with (your tithe), and give it back to you just because you want it back? Wouldn't that mean THEY are robbing God by taking what you gave to God and then giving the money, which is God's money, back to you? Wouldn't Perry and NewSpring now be under a curse?

A masterful point, WD.

If Noble really believed what he's saying, why limit the refund to just a 90 day period? Why not the whole year? Or the entire time of membership? If a faithful tither of 20 years suddenly found themselves out of work and unable to pay the mortgage, and they felt that God had not been faithful to bless them financially for their years of tithing, shouldn't they be able to ask for a 20 year tithe refund?

we'll refund every dime you gave during that 90-day period, no questions asked. We're not sending anybody to your house, nothing weird.

They might not send anyone to your house, but I wouldn't be surprised if anybody who took the bait and called God a liar (in Noble's mind) found themselves disfellowshipped from the church. Most certainly they would find themselves ineligible for any position of service in the church.

Anonymous said...

If a faithful tither of 20 years suddenly found themselves out of work and unable to pay the mortgage, and they felt that God had not been faithful to bless them financially for their years of tithing, shouldn't they be able to ask for a 20 year tithe refund?

Good luck with that. Someone I know had tithed to NewSpring and when they lost their job & needed help, their small group leader told them that he didn't feel "led" by the spirit to help them. I'm just trying to figure out which "spirit" was doing the leading....

Anonymous said...

The O.T. prophet Jeremiah had this to say, to the shepherds of his day; and I believe it's worth hearing again:

God's Word Translation
25 "I've heard the prophets who speak lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!'26 How long will these prophets continue to lie and deceive?27 They tell each other the dreams they had, because they want to make my people forget my name, as their ancestors forgot my name because of Baal.28 The prophet who has a dream should tell his dream. However, the person who has my word should honestly speak my word. What does grain have to do with straw?" asks the LORD.29 "Isn't my word like fire or like a hammer that shatters a rock?" asks the LORD.30 "I'm against the prophets who steal my words from each other," declares the LORD.31 "I'm against the prophets who speak their own thoughts and say that they speak for me.32 I'm against those who prophesy dreams they made up," declares the LORD. "They tell the dreams they made up and lead my people astray with their lies and their wild talk. I didn't send them or command them to go. They don't help these people at all," declares the LORD.

Anonymous said...

All this talk about the tithe is pointless, the standard of giving in the New Testament is the cross. How silly to argue percentages at the foot of the cross. Jesus said if anyone will come and follow me, let them deny SELF, take up their CROSS, and follow. Case in point, the Zebedee fishing business left boats full of fish to follow Jesus. Now, I just wonder, if we lived according to the cross would we even be having this discussion? I think not .....

Anonymous said...

As one of his church members, this would be like if you were at work and someone said, "If you think the boss is a liar, you'll get your money back." I mean, really, nobody's stupid enough to call him on this. One huge reason they are part of the church is to belong. Nobody goes to church and announces they're an atheist, or that they're an agnostic, or that they aren't sure the Bible is true or applies to today. They certainly don't announce, "Well, I tried it and discovered that God IS a liar. It's all hogwash! Now, let's go to Sunday School." It would be like saying, "But, the emperor HAS no clothes on!" You'd be shattering the beliefs of all those around you, which wouldn't make you very popular.

I also noticed how he kept saying, "We believe." Well, how about this-what if what he believes is actually incorrect? Do people ever think of that possibility??

Anonymous said...

That was absolutely disgusting and shameful. That is not Christianity. That is gross manipulation. Shame on him. Is Perry Noble even a Christian? Is he actually born again? If he is what Christianity is all about I want no part of it. But he is not.

Anonymous said...

I viewed Perry Noble's video announcing his sabbatical..He confesses his depression and he is taking a much needed break. I also noted his 'vision' for the next financial campaign - $$ millions to be funded off the backs of the members. There is something very odd about him (and his hip jeans and cool shirt).

Johnny D. said...

Dog! Help! Stop the world, I wanna get off!

Oh brother. What's next? Dog & Pony Show? Maybe they'll start renting pew space at New Spring. That could be your offering on top of your tithe!

Anonymous said...

This"tithing challenge" is an embarrassment to NewSpring. It's disrespectful to the Lord & just plain bad theology. I think Perry is listening too much to "church marketers" & money managers instead of listening to Jesus. You can't go a week down there without hearing about tithing or Joe Sangel's financial coaching.

I used to attend NewSpring. I don't think Perry is a bad guy. He's very likable and I think he mean's well. He is very gifted in evangelism and that's where his heart is. I just don't think that he is gifted or qualified to be a Pastor.

I would love to see him turn NewSpring over to a qualified & mature pastor, go get some real seminary training and then come back as an evangelist like Billy Graham. Leave the pastoring and discipling to those who want to do the job and are gifted in it. I think Perry would be a lot happier & NewSpring would see more growth (as in the maturing of it's members) if this happened.

Mark said...

Take heed you pastors who use the old covenant to mandate laws that are no longer in effect! A veil covers the hearts of those who teach that tithing is required.

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

Turn to the Lord Perry Noble!

Anonymous said...

" also noticed how he kept saying, "We believe." Well, how about this-what if what he believes is actually incorrect? Do people ever think of that possibility??"

Perry Noble believes the Bible.

Newspring babtizes over 1500 people per year.

There is the proof of the blessings of God.

Who are you winning to Jesus???

Ramesh said...

The interesting question is why Perry Noble is doing much better raising money than Mac Brunson and Steve Gaines.

FormerNewSpringer said...

Newspring babtizes over 1500 people per year.
There is the proof of the blessings of God.
Who are you winning to Jesus???


Why is it that whenever you dare question something that NewSpring does, you get their # of baptisms thrown in your face? It's ironic that cult-members often use the same deflection technique.

Baptisms are not the topic of this discussion. And baptisms are not proof of God's blessing when the majority of the people NewSpring baptizes never come back. I have encountered more than one individual who was "saved" at NewSpring only later to become a professed Atheist. Remember what Jesus said "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." Jesus never tooted any horns over baptisms. He wanted to see the fruit.

Think about this way, if NewSpring baptized 1500 people last year then the Anderson campus should be growing by leaps and bounds. It's not. So either people are leaving in droves or the people that NewSpring is baptizing are not real converts.

A better proof of God's blessing would be seen in the maturing and discipling of those that were baptized. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING at NewSpring. NewSpring doesn't even offer a single Bible study. Not one! How are people supposed to be a disciple of Christ if their is no opportunity to learn about Him??? The small groups are a joke. All they do is sit around and talk and maybe review a few points from Perry's latest sermon/self-help lecture.

NewSpring is a watered down church inhabited by baby Christians, false converts and a very few true believers. No one with any real knowledge of Christ and the Holy Scriptures would fall for this marketing scam. Instead of attacking the blogger, you need to ask yourself why you are defending a church that is more interested in money-making schemes than it is teaching believers to be disciples of Christ.

Anonymous said...

"Perry Noble believes the Bible."

Does he believe II Cor 9:7?

"Newspring babtizes over 1500 people per year."

The culture's definition of success - Numbers. Not the Bible's definition.

"There is the proof of the blessings of God."

Nope. No more than large numbers of Mormons or JW's being baptized.

"Who are you winning to Jesus???"

The Holy Spirit wins people to Jesus not men. We are just the messengers.

Have a little humility TROLL!!!

WishIhadknown said...

The Roman Catholic Church baptizes millions of people per year. Who are you winning to Jesus?
Is the ability to raise a lot of money or draw a crowd a sign of God’s blessing and approval?

Mark said...

"Newspring babtizes over 1500 people per year."

Cults baptize thousands of people each year as well but that doesn't mean their theology is any good.

Anonymous said...

.
What shameless, unadulterated BS.

Anonymous said...

"Who are you winning to Jesus???"

Nobody. What does "winning to Jesus" mean exactly? Speak in regular, everyday language, please.

crazzyron said...

Mother always said you get more with sugar than wine. The next time the legalistic pastor in your church gives you a guilt trip over Malachi, throws down this "It is finished!" Jesus completed what was required for the law and Prophets. There is no curse, if one is in Christ Jesus. If you’re not in Christ you have a whole lot more to worry about than a “curse”. There is discipline for the one Christ loves. When they threaten you with we know who you are and how much you give remind them of Jesus teaching Matthew 6:4 that it is to be done in SECRET. One of the jobs of a pastor is to inform the sheep the consequences of not following God's ways, not heaping guilt on, threatening God is going to make your kids sick; you are going to get divorced, etc., etc. In fact that’s what the gospel is about Jesus died on a Cross nailing our sins, guilt, shame and even apathy to the cross. HERE IS WHAT THE NEW TESTEMENT says in 2 Corinthians, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If a man or woman comes in a church and drops two pennies (see Luke 21:1-4) and is cheerful after President “Rehoboam” Obama takes everything they have, because his policies have shut down business, cut full time work to part time, then it is for God to judge not a pastor. That may be all they have to give. On the other hand there are people who can give more. You can try and motivate them by promising them more wealth (Scripture does teach that a man might be blessed in this way [this is called prosperity gospel], but God teaches its better to store up treasure where rust and moths don’t destroy it. What’s most important is not what one gives but rather with what kind of heart, Cain gave what was required and God rejected it, be3cause his heart was not right, he may have thought it could have gone to better use (see Judas and perfume used on Jesus feet John 12:3-8). There is also the person who gives in pride; I gave 15% - 59%- 90% (very rich pastors with very large church’s). Giving this way it’s like not giving at all. This is for God to judge before the Judgment seat of Christ, l or maybe even the Great White Throne. The person who has a lot of money and isn’t giving needs to be warned of his greed. (Luke 13-21). This person is very wealthy and may be giving his tithe to the church, but he’s keeping the rest for himself. Someone like this should be giving to more than church. What’s left out much of the time in this sermon on tithing is God will take care of you stop worrying about the future. (Luke 12: 22-34). Again if at the end of the day, you don’t have much, give what is in your heart not out of fear.

crazzyron said...

Mother always said you get more with sugar than wine. The next time the legalistic pastor in your church gives you a guilt trip over Malachi, throws down this "It is finished!" Jesus completed what was required for the law and Prophets. There is no curse, if one is in Christ Jesus. If you’re not in Christ you have a whole lot more to worry about than a “curse”. There is discipline for the one Christ loves. When they threaten you with we know who you are and how much you give remind them of Jesus teaching Matthew 6:4 that it is to be done in SECRET. One of the jobs of a pastor is to inform the sheep the consequences of not following God's ways, not heaping guilt on, threatening God is going to make your kids sick; you are going to get divorced, etc., etc. In fact that’s what the gospel is about Jesus died on a Cross nailing our sins, guilt, shame and even apathy to the cross. HERE IS WHAT THE NEW TESTEMENT says in 2 Corinthians, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” If a man or woman comes in a church and drops two pennies (see Luke 21:1-4) and is cheerful after President “Rehoboam” Obama takes everything they have, because his policies have shut down business, cut full time work to part time, then it is for God to judge not a pastor. That may be all they have to give. On the other hand there are people who can give more. You can try and motivate them by promising them more wealth (Scripture does teach that a man might be blessed in this way [this is called prosperity gospel], but God teaches its better to store up treasure where rust and moths don’t destroy it. What’s most important is not what one gives but rather with what kind of heart, Cain gave what was required and God rejected it, be3cause his heart was not right, he may have thought it could have gone to better use (see Judas and perfume used on Jesus feet John 12:3-8). There is also the person who gives in pride; I gave 15% - 59%- 90% (very rich pastors with very large church’s). Giving this way it’s like not giving at all. This is for God to judge before the Judgment seat of Christ, l or maybe even the Great White Throne. The person who has a lot of money and isn’t giving needs to be warned of his greed. (Luke 13-21). This person is very wealthy and may be giving his tithe to the church, but he’s keeping the rest for himself. Someone like this should be giving to more than church. What’s left out much of the time in this sermon on tithing is God will take care of you stop worrying about the future. (Luke 12: 22-34). Again if at the end of the day, you don’t have much, give what is in your heart not out of fear.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous - it is amazing that one can criticize someone at such a long distance. If you have never pastored a church, let alone a large church, then you have no idea what stress is like. Perry has faults like all of us, but God has blessed this earth with a great man of God, let him do his job. as someone once said, if you don't like it, you can leave it.