My $65 Education
This story Jim often told and it was published in a book titled “College Faith 3”. Ed by Ronald Alan Knott. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews univeristy Press. 2006. excerpt by James W mohler. Chair, Christian Ministries Dept. Trinity Int. University, Deerfield IL
As a young man just out of high school,I found the cost of a college education to be very daunting. My parents were unable to help me pay for tuition, so I knew that I would bear this financial burden alone. Though I wanted to attend a christian college, I didn’t see how I could ever afford it. Even so, I applied and was accepted at the Christian college of my choice. But about a month before school was to begin, I began to be filled with doubts about how I would be able to pay for the school. Instead of going to the christian college, I ended up attending the local community college.
This certainly was not what I had envisioned for my life. But within the year I had realized that it was God’s plan for me to be at that community college. My faith grew and I was able to impact several lives for Christ. Also, during that year God put into my heart a desire to attend a different Christian College. I just knew I was supposed to attend this school, that God was going to do something special in my life.
So after a couple years at the community college, I applied and was accepted at the college god had placed on my heart. But as the time for school to start neared, my doubts about finances plagued me once again. How could I ever afford the tuition? I certainly did not have the resources. About one month before school was to begin, I was ready to pull out and find a state college to attend. But then God intervened.
One day I found an envelope on my desk at my church, where I was working as a ministerial intern. Inside the envelope was a letter from “a sister in Christ” and sixty five dollars in cash. This anonymous “sister”, also a student, had felt compelled by God to give me this gift. I never found out who she was, but that sixty five dollars gave me the confidence to trust God with the costs of college. It was God’s confirmation that I was to go to the Christian college to prepare for His work.
I worked hard to pay as much as I could, and trusted God for a lot more than I could make. And God provided. I eventually earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, all without having to take out any loans for my education. The only loan I ever needed for my education was the very last semester of my PhD work.
It was difficult for me to trust God for all of that money. I am so thankful that God compelled that “sister in Christ” to give me that gift. That sixty-five dollars strengthened my faith, and “paid” my way through college! These days, when I face financial challenges, I look back to that sixty-five dollars. It still gives me confidence that as long as I strive to remain in God’s will, He will continue to faithfully take care of the details.
I have received full payment and even more; i am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Phil 4:18-20Â