Newsletter August

LCMS Stewardship Ministry: (August) Jesus’ Transforming Presence

“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord,‘Look, Lord! 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.’ Jesus said to him,‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost’” (Luke 19:8-10 NIV).

Many children have learned the story of Zacchaeus in Sunday school, often focusing on the fun image of a short man climbing a tree. But hidden in this familiar story is a powerful lesson in stewardship. Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, experiences a complete life transformation after encountering Jesus — and it's a transformation that reaches beyond this life and into eternity.

Zacchaeus wasn’t just a minor civil servant. Tax collectors in his time were notorious for corruption. They extorted money from travelers and merchants, pocketing the extra profits while passing on only a fraction to Rome. To their fellow Jews, they were seen as both thieves and traitors. This helps explain why the crowd refused to let Zacchaeus through to see Jesus — their contempt for him was personal and deep.

But Zacchaeus’ determination drives him to climb a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus. To his surprise, Jesus notices him and invites Himself to Zacchaeus’ home. There is no sermon, no official program — just Jesus, personally present. And that is enough. Zacchaeus is completely changed.

The proof of transformation? He pledges to give half of his possessions to the poor — people he likely hadn’t wronged but now cares for deeply. Then, he promises to repay four times what he stole, far beyond what the law required. His heart is turned from greed to generosity, from self-interest to self-giving.

Jesus declares that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house. Not because of his works, but because his newfound faith — sparked by Jesus’ presence — is real. Good stewardship flows from that faith, not the other way around.

This same Jesus is present with us today. We don’t need to climb trees to meet Him. He comes to us through His Word, His Sacraments, and in the Divine Service. If you desire to be a more faithful steward, spend time with Jesus. Let His presence reshape your heart, your values, and your life. His presence is the power that changes everything — from sinner to saint, from owner to steward.