Including Volunteer Work on College Applications-Violate "Good Works in Secret?"

[cooljen94]

I guess this could apply to any application,and I just wanted to know what you guys thought about this issue. In case anyone was unclear,this is talking about formal volunteer opportunities through school or church or something. It's funny,I'm fine putting it down on applications to Christian colleges because I feel like that'll lead to ministry opportunities anyway,but I'm still trying to outgrow the mentality that it can only be God's Will for you to attend a Christian university. What do you guys think? That it does directly violate the verse? That it's okay if you're original intent in volunteering wasn't to include it on an application somewhere down the road? That it's completely fine to include and necessary to be accepted into many colleges these days? That it's okay if your intention is applying somewhere to open up a door to follow God's call? That God will work in the hearts of the admissions' people and make sure you're accepted if its His Will if you choose not to include community service work because of the verse? I'm talking about the first few verses of Matthew 6,and I always wondered how other Christian students felt about it.

[Christian Teen Forums]

[Wesker]

Jesus' message was aimed at those who performed good works specifically for the purpose of gaining public praise. They are not applicable to your situation.

[Yoda]

No, there's nothing wrong with putting volunteer work on a college or job application.

If you were advertising your contributions to everyone in real life, just so they would praise you, then it might apply.

[RayRay]

I agree with Wesker and Yoda

[Wesker]

I agree with Wesker and Yoda

Agree with Yoda, one always should.

[SetMeFree]

I agree with Wesker too.
If you are doing community service, especially through school (Key Club, other things like that), it's not going to be a secret anyway. To not put your community service on a college application could potentially harm you. I suppose it would depend on the college, and how much importance they placed on certain areas in the application, but I can imagine that hypothetically, if it came down to them choosing between two students who had similar applications, but one listed community service and the other didn't, they would choose the one with the community service. My point being here, no, it is not a sin to list your community service. God helps those that help themselves; help yourself by listing all your great attributes!