This week we are going to begin looking at some of the characteristics that we need to have as someone who is a follower of Jesus. This week, we are going to look at generosity.
Read Luke 19:1-10 and journal your thoughts
Did you notice what Jesus said at the end? Take a moment and let that sink in. Salvation comes to Zaccheus because he is generous. He didn’t ask Jesus into his heart, he didn’t say a prayer or go to an altar. He just started giving.
Sometimes it’s easy for us to equate following Jesus to a Holy rite, ritual or act. I said a prayer, I talked with the pastor, and I asked Jesus into my heart. But then what…? To be a follower of Jesus is to be transformed, to become different. This has to be core of what it means to follow Jesus, because it’s what we have to do in order to keep up with Jesus.
Sometimes there are these things in our lives that really keep us from following Jesus. These are things that are hard for us to give up. For Zaccheus, he was selfish, he enjoyed the benefits of his job as a tax collector (which was to add a little extra for himself), but the call of Jesus is not okay with this. The call of Jesus is not content with the things that we do that hurt others. The call of Jesus transforms us from being selfish to becoming someone who open gives as much as they can.
Today pray that God would show you the areas of your life where He wants you to be more generous.
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