Zaccheus the rich tax collector from Jericho had amassed so much wealth by extortion, that the tax payers in his district despised him. Probably feeling wretched within himself, he cast his pride and dignity aside, ran before the crowd that followed Jesus and climbed a tree just to have a glimpse of the Master. Jesus called Zaccheus down and invited Himself to stay in his house to the sheer astonishment of Zaccheus.

In the Jewish culture, only a good friend can invite himself to another’s house and Zaccheus soon got the message that Jesus considered him as a good friend! The visit of Jesus to his house led him to receive ‘inner healing’, that he immediately repented to restore four times the money to those he had defrauded and give away half his goods to the poor. It changed him from being a greedy man to a generous one. Jesus lifted the burdens off the shoulders of Zaccheus to lead a guilt-free life (Luke 19:1- 9).

The second rich man, a young ruler, claiming that he had kept all the commandments of God, came to Jesus asking Him ‘what more should he do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus knowing his heart fully well turned his attention from concern over his own religious standing, to involve himself in the vital interests of others. Jesus’ counsel to sell his wealth, give it away to the poor and follow Him, seemed too difficult a test to bring spiritual satisfaction in his life that he walked away from Jesus very disappointed (Matthew 19: 16-22).

The rich young ruler who seemed to be a better candidate for eternal life, seemed to lose his way but the selfish and greedy Zaccheus, found his way to eternal life!

Thought for the day: We make a living with the money we earn but we make a life with what we give away.