What does true generosity look like? Is it writing a check, donating clothes, or giving your time? The story of Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector turned radical giver, flips our idea of generosity on its head. It wasn’t guilt or obligation that prompted his giving—it was a heart transformed by an unexpected visit from Jesus.
In Luke 19:1-10 we learn of a man named Zacchaeus and his encounter with Jesus Christ. In this passage we learn several things about him prior to this encounter:
1. He was a Jewish tax collector (v.2)
2. He was wealthy (v.2)
3. He was short (v.3)
4. He was known as a “sinner” and did not have a good reputation in the community (v.7)
In verse five we see that Jesus stopped where Zacchaeus was and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
We can glean from verse seven that Zacchaeus was one of the most unlikely persons in the community that Jesus would call personally by name and determine to stay with. In addition, this was hardly the kind of man that was expected to give one-half of all his possessions to the poor and pay back anyone he had cheated four times the amount (v.8).
What was it that prompted Zacchaeus’ radical generosity?
To answer this, we need to take a close look at verses three and four:
Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was and was unable to because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. (Luke 19:3-4 NASB)
Zacchaeus’ story is not just about meeting Jesus—it’s about being seen, known, and called by name. And what happens next reveals the power of grace to unlock radical change.
Has there ever been anyone in your life that you really wanted to meet, and you suddenly found yourself with an opportunity to see them? Maybe it was someone you admired in ministry like Billy Graham, or perhaps a U.S. President, or maybe a member of a band, an artist or other public figure you really admired. Think about the excitement you felt and the effort you took to just catch a glimpse of them…even shake their hand! I think that Zacchaeus is expressing a similar kind of excitement and anticipation about Jesus Christ.
In verse three we see that Zacchaeus was trying to see who Jesus was. The Greek word is Zeteo which means to seek after, seek for, aim at, or strive after. Why would Zacchaeus have been seeking after Jesus? I believe word spread about Jesus to the town of Jericho. Zacchaeus must have heard of this Rabbi who was helping the blind see, the mute hears, forgiving sins and proclaiming the Good News.
Curiosity or Calling?
Verse four shares that he ran on ahead and climbed up a tree. That’s not casual curiosity—that’s eager, even desperate, pursuit. Zacchaeus wanted a front row glimpse of Jesus free from any barriers. Zacchaeus wasn’t just curious—he was spiritually hungry.
The last thing he would have expected was for Jesus to call him by name and stay with him, yet these simple yet intentional acts of Zacchaeus share a glimpse of what was going on in his heart. Zacchaeus was ready—not just to
host Jesus, but to be changed by Him. Because Jesus is God, we know that He was aware of the condition of Zacchaeus’ heart, which is also why He called Him by name. This is confirmed in Jeremiah 29:13, which says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
In verse seven we see that Zacchaeus, “hurried and came down and received Him gladly” and while all those watching were grumbling, he responded to Jesus with a radically generous act found in verse eight:
“Zacchaeus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
An Overflowing Heart Leads to Open Hands
So, what prompted Zacchaeus’ generosity? It was a transformation of heart that prompted his generosity. A transformation deep within that can only be explained by a direct encounter with Jesus Christ. Jesus did not even ask Zacchaeus to give a single dime, yet the overflowing joy and love within His heart resulted in an outpouring of generosity.
Like Zacchaeus, many of us are searching—perhaps even straining—to get a clearer glimpse of Jesus. But when we truly encounter Him, the result is transformation. And from that transformation flows a generosity that doesn’t need to be commanded—it overflows from a heart that has been changed.
What barriers are keeping you from seeing Jesus clearly? What would it look like to respond to Him with joyful generosity today?