Hollywood pastor offers lesson in giving by passing out $5 bills

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, but I think it's a good idea to donate the money," said Chambers, of Sunrise.

Chambers was among the 130-plus parishioners who got an unusual lesson on tithing, the practice of donating 10 percent of one's income to a charity or church. In this case, it was the church paying 10 percent to the congregation.

"I'm deputizing all of you to go and give it to someone or some place that inspires you," the Rev. Bob Uhlar told the congregation. "What I want you to do is write us a note and tell us where you gave and how it turned out."

While most in the church smiled and nodded as ushers walked down the aisle passing out crisp $5 bills, the gesture left others asking for a little help from above.

"I'm not sure what I will do with it yet," said Tony Vizzone, an Aventura real estate broker. "I'll have to give it some thought, but maybe I'll give it to a homeless person. You often see people at the side of the highway with signs asking for help. ... I'm kind of waiting for divine inspiration."

In fact, inspiration is Uhlar's message.

"What I'm hoping to do is get people thinking about where they get inspiration in their lives," said the pastor, who came up with the idea after hearing about a church in Kansas. "The pastor at the church in Kansas did it, and it turned out very well. People responded well to the idea and put a lot of thought into it, so I decided to try it here."

The lesson will cost Unity Church about $660, or about 10 percent of its income, according to Uhlar. But he insists the benefits will be far-reaching and, hopefully, long lasting.

"This is kind of like that movie Pay it Forward, where the boy comes up with the idea of helping three strangers who in turn will help three other people," said Uhlar.

For some, such as Shirley Scott of Weston, the money will help her say thank you.

"I've decided I'll send the money to a Chicago radio program because I listen to it every morning," said Scott, a native of Jamaica. "I think this is about learning that you get what you give."

Unity Church is a nondenominational center started in 1889 in Kansas. It came to Hollywood in 1965. The church focuses on "practical Christianity" and principles of healing and problem solving, offering prosperity talks, as well.