Greed and Grace
Lately, the kids have been enamoured with the story of Zacchaeus. Almost every night they want to sing the song, and when we are about town, Scientist eagerly points out sycamore trees and connects them back to the story. (Although, I believe the tree Zacchaeus climbed was a sycamore-oak, but adding that to the song would throw off the the rhythm, so....)
It also just so happens that today I am studying this passage with student. To prepare, I read the IVP New Testament Commentary and was blown away by what I found. My favorite quotes are below.
"In return to Jesus' openness to him, Zacchaeus makes the proper response. Having accepted Jesus' initiative, Zacchaeus becomes generous with his resources, even seeking to make restitution for past wrongs. He is a rich man who gets through the eye of the needle....
"Zacchaeus's actions represent a concrete expression of faith's presence—a theme that goes back to John the Baptist's call (Luk_3:8-14). So Zacchaeus responds: "Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Two actions substantiate Zacchaeus's new approach. A new generosity means that half of his assets are going to those in need. In addition, anyone who was robbed will be paid back with the highest penalty the law allows, a fourfold rate (Exo_22:1; 2Sa_12:6). Normal restitution added only 20 percent (Lev_5:16; Num_5:7). The Mishna tended rarely to apply a more severe 40 percent penalty (m. Ketubot 3:9; m. Baba Qamma 7:1-5). This rich man, touched by Jesus and responding with faith, exemplifies the restoration of a "lost one" and opens up his resources to be shared with others. He does not have to sell everything to receive Jesus' commendation. His heart is in the right place when it comes to possessions. So Zacchaeus becomes an exemplary rich disciple."
(Emphasis mine)
This tremendous turn around is an extravagant and fitting response to Jesus's kindness to Zacchaeus. Jesus turned the culture rules of the time on their heads by asking for the hospitality of a Jew who extorted his own people for the sake of Rome. Astounded and transformed by his gracious guest, Zaccheaus decides to put his resources under the lordship of Jesus. He doesn't give up everything, but he chooses to make wrongs right according to the law, because he finally understood that he was accepted by Jesus.
Is my heart in the right place when it comes to my possessions? Where do I not see His grace towards me in relationship to things?
It also just so happens that today I am studying this passage with student. To prepare, I read the IVP New Testament Commentary and was blown away by what I found. My favorite quotes are below.
"In return to Jesus' openness to him, Zacchaeus makes the proper response. Having accepted Jesus' initiative, Zacchaeus becomes generous with his resources, even seeking to make restitution for past wrongs. He is a rich man who gets through the eye of the needle....
"Zacchaeus's actions represent a concrete expression of faith's presence—a theme that goes back to John the Baptist's call (Luk_3:8-14). So Zacchaeus responds: "Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Two actions substantiate Zacchaeus's new approach. A new generosity means that half of his assets are going to those in need. In addition, anyone who was robbed will be paid back with the highest penalty the law allows, a fourfold rate (Exo_22:1; 2Sa_12:6). Normal restitution added only 20 percent (Lev_5:16; Num_5:7). The Mishna tended rarely to apply a more severe 40 percent penalty (m. Ketubot 3:9; m. Baba Qamma 7:1-5). This rich man, touched by Jesus and responding with faith, exemplifies the restoration of a "lost one" and opens up his resources to be shared with others. He does not have to sell everything to receive Jesus' commendation. His heart is in the right place when it comes to possessions. So Zacchaeus becomes an exemplary rich disciple."
(Emphasis mine)
This tremendous turn around is an extravagant and fitting response to Jesus's kindness to Zacchaeus. Jesus turned the culture rules of the time on their heads by asking for the hospitality of a Jew who extorted his own people for the sake of Rome. Astounded and transformed by his gracious guest, Zaccheaus decides to put his resources under the lordship of Jesus. He doesn't give up everything, but he chooses to make wrongs right according to the law, because he finally understood that he was accepted by Jesus.
Is my heart in the right place when it comes to my possessions? Where do I not see His grace towards me in relationship to things?
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