The Education of the Heart
Matt. 5:38-42
a. Ebed-melech, the Ethiopian, had an educated heart; he was more than kind.
b. A woman gave a young lady a book.
·
The young lady sent
a thank you note promptly
·
A few months later
she sent a second note, telling the woman how much she enjoyed the book and
what she thought
·
From time to time
she would mention the book and how grateful she was for that book.
·
What a refreshing
thing in a “careless” world.
2. An educated heart is such a great
blessing in life.
a. whatever you do, do it with grace and
cheerfully
b. Col. 4:6 “Let your speech always be
with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you
should respond to each person.”
c. 2 Cor. 9:7 Let each one do just as he
has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a
cheerful giver.
d. Giving to others is an art; learn to
please with a gift
3. An educated heart goes the second mile
a. it is common courtesy to listen; it is
loving to listen closely and with sympathy.
b. When you do a favor, go to the fullest
extent.
c. Let people know you care more for them
than the expense.
d. "But a certain Samaritan, who was
on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came
to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put
him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on
the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said,
'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay
you.' (Luke 10)
4. You are the salt of the earth—Matt.
5:43-48
"You have heard
that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your
Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love
those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the
same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do
not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 14:12-14
"When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your
brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in
return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do
not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of
the righteous."
5. The educated heart is the one who
understands the golden rule:
"Therefore,
however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and
the Prophets.”
If we put ourselves into another’s
place, think his thoughts, feel his feelings, we can learn to do kindness with
grace.
I pray every good
thing for our students and graduates.