Transformation through Giving

Luke 19:1-10

The story of Zacchaeus is well known to those of us who grew up learning the Sunday School song: Zacchaeus was a wee little man and we little man was he…. This song captured the eagerness of Zacchaeus to see Jesus for himself and Jesus’ deep desire to be in relationship with Zacchaeus. What this children’s song misses is the transformation Zacchaeus undergoes as a result of his encounter with Jesus.

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector and very rich according to the scriptures. In those days the Roman Empire collected taxes from the residents of the land they had conquered. Their method was to enlist the help of the people to collect taxes from their fellow neighbors. In this case Zacchaeus, who is Jewish, is working to collect taxes from his fellow Jews for the Roman Empire. These taxes were extremely high (70% or more) and were collected in ways which were often corrupt and unjust. The tax collectors would then get a commission on whatever taxes they collected and then send the rest to the Romans. Needless to say tax collectors were despised and generally considered unjust and corrupt. To become a chief tax collector was to not only collect taxes but to oversee the entire tax collecting operation. Zacchaeus was well known by the people and hated for all that he had done. There is little doubt that Zacchaeus cheated, stole, and bribed his way to the top.

The people were thus shocked when Jesus invites Zacchaeus into relationship. The people would have expected Jesus to side with those who were oppressed and poor and instead Jesus seeks out the powerful, rich, and corrupt tax collector. Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus is transformational.

Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Luke 19:8

Zacchaeus is confronted with the truth about himself when he sees Jesus. He can no longer hide behind his wealth and power when standing before the Lord. His declaration is one of repentance for all that he had done and become. He certainly had cheated and defrauded others and become rich while making many people poor. Jesus confronts Zacchaeus by showing him the truth. While we may want to discard and dismiss the oppressive Zacchaeus, Jesus singles him out and calls him into a new life.

The transformation of Zacchaeus can be described as going from being a taker to becoming a giver. Being a follower of Jesus means we are not only concerned with our own well being and wealth but we are concerned with others. Being a follower of Jesus means it matters how we make our money and how others are affected by our wealth. Jesus also knew that Zacchaeus could not be faithful until he knew how to give to others.

It is in giving that we are most like God. It is when we share with those who are in need that we can understand the meaning of grace in a new way. Zacchaeus needed to be transformed by God’s love before he could understand who he was, a child of God in need of redemption. Once he had been given grace by God he could then become generous and gracious to others. May we also receive and know the love of God, become transformed from the inside out, and be generous with all we have as God has been generous with us.