You just have to wonder..
When I was growing up, we competed in horse shows allot.
I remember my daddy saying rather sarcastically how much will
you pay for the next ribbon.
To someone who was bemoaning how expensive showing horses was.

This reeks of the same thing..
I cannot understand how the Word of God became a game show…

Mother of Two Wins a New Home at Church

A member of the Abundant Life Christian Center in Texas rang in the New Year not with a glass of champagne — but a new home. In a controversial game-show-style giveaway, the church awarded a $120,000 three-bedroom house to Tammy Woods.

Woods, a mother of two girls ages 12 and 16, lives with her children and husband Larry in a mobile home. Before they won the new home, the Woodses were in the process of buying a new home. Now, they say they will move into the home they won in about two to three weeks.

Contestants could only win the house by being present at the church’s New Year’s Eve services. Since 2003, the church has given away a car, a motorcycle and furniture, and the New Year’s services usually draw about 2,000 people.

“You can go to the house of the Lord and have a good time also,” said Pastor Walter Hallam. “This is a real special service. This is a unique thing.”… Some critics argue that using incentives to get people to church takes away from the religious experience of going to church. But Hallam takes great pride in his giveaways.

Thanks to VictorM’ at argville.com
for the follow up on this!