In Christ, The Taker Becomes A Steward Who Treasures God Above All
FOCUS TEXT: Exodus 20:15; Luke 19:1–10
This Sunday at Anchor Church, we continued in our series Ten Commandments: Law That Leads to Life by returning to the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not steal.” This is our second week in this command. Last Sunday we traced it back to creation, where God made us stewards of His world, called to reflect His generosity. We saw how sin twisted stewardship into selfish grasping, and how Christ restores us—turning takers into givers and thieves into stewards. This week we see that restoration in action in the story of Zacchaeus, as Jesus transforms a man defined by theft into a joyful steward marked by justice and generosity.
Truth #1: Jesus seeks and saves sinful graspers (Luke 19:1–7) — Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector—wealthy because he exploited his neighbors. If anyone embodied theft, it was him. Yet Jesus stopped beneath his tree, called him by name, and said, “I must stay at your house today.” That word “must” shows divine purpose. Grace goes straight toward sinners, not away from them. The crowd grumbled, but Jesus had come to seek and save the lost. Contrast: In Luke 18, the rich ruler claimed to keep the commandments but walked away sad when asked to surrender his wealth. Zacchaeus, the despised thief, ran to Jesus and was remade. What’s impossible with man is possible with God.
Truth #2: Salvation reorders what we treasure (Luke 19:8) — Zacchaeus’s response is immediate: “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” No one told him to do this. It was the joyful overflow of grace. He went beyond what the law required—because Jesus had changed his heart. Where his hands once clutched, now they opened. This is what salvation does: it reorders what we treasure. Christ becomes the center, and money loses its grip.
Truth #3: True stewardship is for all—rich and poor (Luke 21:1–4) — Zacchaeus shows repentance with much; the poor widow shows worship with little. She gave two small coins—“all she had to live on.” Jesus measures not the size of the gift but the surrender of the heart. Stewardship is not about abundance but about posture. Whether you have much or little, the question is the same: Does God have your heart?
Truth #4: Salvation makes us a just and generous people (Luke 19:9–10) — Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house… For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Zacchaeus wasn’t saved because he gave; he gave because he was saved. Salvation produced fruit: restitution for the wronged, generosity for the poor, and joy in the presence of Christ. That’s what the Eighth Commandment was always pointing to—not just stopping theft but forming a people who live with justice and generosity, reflecting the heart of God.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Where is my heart tempted to grasp instead of trust Jesus?
What restitution or repair do I need to make in relationships?
How can I practice open-handed generosity this week—with money, time, or hospitality?
Does my stewardship show that **Christ—not money—**is my true Master?
PRAYER OF RESPONSE — Father, thank You for seeking us in our sin and calling us by name. Lord Jesus, reorder what we treasure; dethrone our idols and enthrone Yourself. Holy Spirit, form in us hearts that make things right and hands that give with joy. Make Anchor Church a people of justice and generosity—stewards who reflect Your character to our neighbors. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE — “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10 (ESV)
