"Those who plead for low tuition should carefully weigh matters on all sides. If students cannot of themselves command sufficient means to pay the actual expense of good and faithful work in their education, is it not better that their parents, their friends, or the churches to which they belong, or largehearted, benevolent brethren in their conference, should assist them, than that a burden of debt should be brought upon the school? It would be far better to let the many patrons of the institution share the expense, than for the school to run in debt. CT 69.1"
"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
EGW's encouragement for parents, friends, and churches to assist students financially aligns with the principle of bearing one another's burdens as stated in Galatians 6:2. It's a practical application of the biblical principle.
"The churches in different localities should feel that a solemn responsibility rests upon them to train youth and educate talent to engage in missionary work. When they see those in the church who give promise of making useful workers, but who are not able to support themselves in the school, they should assume the responsibility of sending them to one of our training schools. There is excellent ability in the churches that needs to be brought into service. There are persons who would do good service in the Lord's vineyard, but many are too poor to obtain without assistance the education that they require. The churches should feel it a privilege to take a part in defraying the expenses of such. CT 69.2"
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
The EGW passage advocates for supporting those who will engage in missionary work, which parallels the sentiment in Matthew 25:40 about caring for the 'least of these.' Providing for the education of missionaries can be seen as doing something for Christ.
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
The EGW passage emphasizes the importance of training and utilizing the diverse talents within the church for missionary work. This aligns with the concept of diverse spiritual gifts and abilities outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, where each person contributes to the body of Christ.
"Those who have the truth in their hearts are always openhearted, helping where it is necessary. They lead out, and others imitate their example. If there are some who should have the benefit of the school, but who cannot pay full price for their tuition, let the churches show their liberality by helping them. CT 69.3"
"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
Both passages discuss the importance of generosity and helping those in need, particularly within a religious community. The Acts passage provides a historical example of this principle, while the EGW passage applies it to the context of supporting students in Christian schools.