“I can’t give to missions right now…I’m just starting out and I don’t have the money to do it.”
“I will start giving to the church and missions once I have a good job and can afford it.”
“Oh missionaries don’t want me to give $5 — I want to be able to give them a lot of money! So I think I’ll wait to give to missions or my church once I’m out of school and have a job.”
I remember when I was in college and my cousin started raising financial support to work in full-time college ministry. When he called me (me?! — a full-time college student with a part-time on campus job) I was surprised. I told him I was really proud of him, but I couldn’t afford to support him. My reasoning was, “I am a college student. I don’t have extra money to REALLY give like I want to.”
What I learned later in life is giving financially doesn’t have to do with the amount you give, BUT the heart behind the giving.
Do you remember the story Jesus tells in the Gospels about the poor widow? You can find the story in Mark 12 and Luke 21. In Mark 12:41-22 it says:
“And he [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” - Mark 12:41-44
When we give financially God is not after an amount, but an attitude. He is not looking at the outward appearance or total number, but at our hearts.
Does that really surprise us though? Think about how God chose the next King of Israel in 1 Samuel 16. The prophet Samuel is sent out by God to chose the next king from the sons of Jesse. When he arrives he sees Jesse’s older sons and is extremely impressed. They are strong, warrior type men. But, God tells Samuel he’s not looking at the outward appearance, but at the heart — he’s looking deeper past what the world sees. God chose David to be the next king of Israel based on his heart not his outward appearance.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him [the older brothers]. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7
And years later, we see King David charge his son Solomon as he prepares to become the next king with a similar statement. He doesn’t tell him to make sure he looks good for the people or that he has the appearance of a king; he tells him to honor the Lord with his heart.
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
What I wish I’d known in college is that giving isn’t about the amount, but about my heart attitude toward giving. I love God and I love His church. I want to be a part of what God is doing locally and around the globe. One way to do that is to give financially. Starting the practice of giving in college helps set you up for a natural rhythm of giving in your life.
Remember it doesn’t have to be big! Maybe you give up the special coffee you have once a week or once a month and give that money to your local church. Maybe you cancel one of your streaming subscriptions and donate the money to one of your friends who’s going on a short term trip! There are endless ways to be creative with your finances - big or small - and start the discipline of giving. I would also encourage you to start with the basics and make a budget! See where your money is going - that will help you make a plan and see how you can give.
God will honor your gifts. Remember this earth is temporary. If we are believers in Christ our greatest treasures do not lie on this earth, but are eternal.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
The poor widow was praised by Jesus not just because she gave, but because she gave generously. She gave not our of her abundance or extra, but out of her poverty.
Have we given everything to Jesus? Both literally and figuratively? I am not asking you to be unwise with your money or go hungry, but are you willing to give up even your basic needs to help others and to serve others?
Generosity is the mark of a believer in Jesus. Generosity at every stage of life and in anyway you can. Generosity might look different on paper for your parents than for you, BUT the heart is still the same. And as your finances change and grow when you start working making a commitment to increase your giving as well! Giving will look different in different seasons of life, BUT we should never neglect to give to the body of Christ.
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share…” 1 Tim. 6:18
What I am saying is let’s look for ways - big and small - to be generous with our finances. Not because we want to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it! We are beloved sons and daughters of the King and it is our joy to share with others.
If you need ideas for how or where to give financially ask your campus minister or pastor. Talk with your friends and see if they are raising support for a short term trip or going into full-time ministry. I would encourage you to find a way to give consistently (every month) and not just sporadically.
Giving financially is a discipline and it helps to have a set person, church or mission agency to give to every month.
Here are some other places you can give financially towards missions:
By Caroline Studdard
Caroline is one of our office staff (2020) and a member of The Traveling Team. She first discovered God's heart for the nations on a mission trip to Mozambique in 2010 and is passionate about connecting others to God's heart for all people.
