We are all happy when we do something out of goodness that can touch the heart of someone else. 

Let's consider an illustration. A mother's children gathered to celebrate her 60th birthday. The mother lost her husband early in their married life, yet through her efforts she successfully raised all of her children. 

To repay her grace, each of her children prepared the best present they could. One of them gave her hundreds of thousands of dollars, a second bought flight tickets for her overseas travel, and a third brought her very fine and healthful food. The youngest took out a bowl of chicken stew and put it on the table. The mother smiled and stared at the four presents, and then pulled the bowl of chicken stew toward her and happily began to eat that stew. The children were so surprised at her unexpected action. 

A bowl of chicken stew looked so shabby compared to the other more expensive presents. The three elder of the children had thought that their mother was unable to eat chicken stew because of some kind of an allergy. Until then she had misled her children saying that she couldn't eat the chicken in stew, but it was because of the hard times they had before and so the children could enough and eat the food comfortably. It is very important for us to measure others' hearts. 

With whomever you may interact, whether it is your parents, brothers, friends, seniors, peers or juniors, if you do not look at their outward deeds but measure their hearts, you can serve them with truthful and willing love. Such love is really valuable and moves the hearts of others. In Mark 10, a man ran up to Jesus and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him in reply if he had kept the commandments in the Bible. 

The man courageously said to Jesus, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up." Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, unlike when he came to Jesus and courageously asked Him. The man seemed to have lived a godly life, but in his heart he loved his self and money more than God. That's why he could not obey when Jesus told him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor and then to follow Jesus. 

He missed the glorious chance of becoming a disciple of Jesus. Today as well, just like the young rich man, many believers say they live by the will of God, but it is hard to find those who understand the heart of God; who obey when it seems impossible to obey; who serve little children; and who love everyone around them. 

May each of you realize that measuring others' hearts and serving them in truth and deeds are more valuable than a very expensive treasure and may you possess true love, in the name of our Lord I pray!

    His Emeritus Bishop Dr. Jaerock Lee