How do I give if I’m a student and not making any money?
Question:
Good evening,
I attend graduate school. I just came across your website when I did a Google search about the collection if you're unemployed. I wanted to ask a question based on the response that was given.
I used to be employed last year, but now I am not. Because of my previous employment, I earned a small amount that is now in my savings account. For school, I am relying on loans to help fund my education, cost of living, groceries, gas, basically everything. I do not have a job right now as a full-time student. I want to give, but I'm wrestling with the logistics of it all. I don't want God to think that I'm robbing Him of His money but at the same time, am I still expected to give if I don't have a steady flow of income, or am I expected to give from my savings account?
I appreciate any insight that you can provide.
Best,
Answer:
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come" (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
"For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality -- at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality" (II Corinthians 8:12-14).
Giving, even under the Law of Moses, has always been the giving of a portion of the increase that God has given a person. If you are not making a profit, then nothing is expected.
I don't know which page you were looking at earlier that caused the confusion, but I hope this clarifies the matter.
While I have your attention, I know it is common to pay for college with debt these days, but it isn't the wise choice. God warns that debt causes more harm than good. "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave" (Proverbs 22:7). See Avoiding Debt.
You are better off working part-time and going through school a bit slower than borrowing hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a degree. Sure, you'll make more after you get a job, but you end up sending most of the better wage in to pay off the debt.
Response:
Hi Mr. Hamilton,
Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.
