I like the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Here is a man who is hated by the Jews even though he being Jewish himself. They considered him worse than a Gentile because he collected taxes from God's people and exploited them. He was not the average tax collector but a chief tax collector. He was very wealthy.
Yet, he had heard the news about Jesus and took extreme measures to see Him. When Jesus said that he wanted to stay at his house, we see that Zacchaeus welcomed him with open arms. He was read to receive Jesus into his heart, not only his home.
How do Jesus recognize that he had given his heart to the Lord. It is when he got up and declared that he was giving half of his wealth away and paying back four time the amount that he cheated from people. True salvation bring change and transformation. It is not only confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord but showing it by your actions.
A heart that has been touched by the master will be heart that gives of themselves to others. It will be a generous heart. One who does not give generously to the church and others has not truly encountered the Lord. They are still rapped in self and self interest. Often these same people who are stingy show it by their actions towards others. Often not treating others with love and respect. The bottom line is what counts. What one can get out of the deal is what is most important. What one can get out of the relationship is most important.
Jesus said it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. There are three strong holds that hard to be broken in peoples lives: sex, money and power. Yet, I believe the greatest is money.
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