The tax collector Zacchaeus declared that he would make things right with his fellowman by giving half his wealth to the poor and restoring fourfold anything dishonestly gained. He was acting with a social response to the good news of the Kingdom that Jesus was announcing. Restitution was his manifestation of repentance. The Kingdom of God includes restored relationships with God, lived out as restored relationships with other humans. Working on human relationships, asking for forgiveness and seeking to right wrongs is evidence of the Kingdom’s presence.
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” And Jesus said unto him, “This day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is a son of Abraham.” Luke 19:8-9 (KJV)
