Zacchaeus was a “wee-little-man” as the children’s song goes, but he had a big plan for getting ahead in life (hence the position as the hated Chief Tax Collector). Whether driven by the desire to “get even” with childhood bullies or old-fashioned greed; he had no problem working for the Romans to oversee the taxing of fellow Jews.

However, when Jesus came along, everything changed. Zacchaeus found something he didn’t even know he needed; forgiveness. And after his encounter with Christ, he wanted to give away his wealth from the overflow of a new heart. No longer was there a big need to get ahead. Instead, there was a big smile as Jesus spoke these words:

“Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” – Luke 19:9-10 NKJV

What’s “big” in your life? Is it wealth? Recognition? Or the joy of God’s forgiveness? May our smiles be big today when we think of His amazing grace, and may our influence be big for the sake of His name.