It was a perfect day for our car boot sale—bright and warm. People rummaged through clothing, books and mismatched dishes. I noticed a young woman looking at a string of white beads. A few minutes later the necklace vanished along with its admirer. I spotted her in the street, jogged over to her and discovered the missing jewellery nestled in her palm. As we faced each other with the knowledge of what had happened, she volunteered to pay for the stolen item.

Zacchaeus, the tree climbing tax collector, met Jesus and was changed. He vowed to repay four times the amount of money he had dishonestly taken from others (Luke 19:8). In those days tax collectors frequently overcharged citizens and then pocketed the extra funds. Zacchaeus’ eagerness to pay back the money and to donate half of what he owned to the poor showed a significant change of heart. He had once been a taker, but after meeting Jesus he was determined to make things right and be a giver.

Zacchaeus’ example can inspire us to make the same kind of change. When God reminds us about items we have taken, taxes left unpaid or ways we have wronged others, we can honour Him by making it right.

Author

Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Topics

Our Daily Bread