Day 7

Grace Generates Generosity

"Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold". (Luke 19:8 NKJV).

Luke chapter 18 and 19 recount two interesting stories of how grace generates generosity and how law generates fear, uncertainty and apprehension. In chapter 18 Jesus is confronted by a rich young ruler and Luke 19 carries the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector.

In Luke 18, the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked, saying : Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18 NKJV). He did not say what shall I do to be saved? He was very convinced of his own achievements to the point that he was more interested in life everlasting than asking about getting saved. Jesus gave him the law-- "Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother". (Luke 18:20 NKJV). The rich young ruler boasted of his ability to keep all the law. In response Jesus asked him to sell all he had and give the proceeds to bless the poor. To this the young ruler left Jesus sad because he had "too" much to sell.

Contrary to the ministry of the law, Jesus in Luke 19 was in the house of Zacchaeus the tax collector. He was hated by the people and was known as a sinner. Jesus was eating and fellowshipping with Zacchaeus without preaching or rebuking Zacchaeus for his evil practices. Yet without using the law, Zacchaeus was moved to repentance. Not only that, Zacchaeus was moved from repentance to generosity! This is the power of God's grace. Zacchaeus told Jesus, "Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold". (Luke 19:8 NKJV).

With the rich young ruler, the law only limited the rich man from becoming generous. The power of the law did not and cannot change people. Jesus is not the law giver but He intentionally used the law on the rich ruler to show him how futile his efforts will be if he tried to live by the law. But when Jesus in His grace loved, accepted and just fellowshipped with Zacchaeus, generosity flowed. What a difference!

Grace of the Lord is the secret to generosity and life - transformation. Zacchaeus was a happy man after this encounter but not so the rich young ruler. Bible says he went away sorrowful.

"...For it is good that the heart be established by grace, ..." (Hebrews 13:9 NKJV). The grace of God can do amazing transformation in your heart and in your wallet!