Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-29
Sunday School Lesson
By
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

difficulty OF rich man entering the
kingdom. In this weeks study we learn
how rich man was converted Luke
does not tell lis as much as we would
like to know about the conversation
that the Master had with Zacchaeus
either in the courtyard of the publi-
cans home or upon the roof OF his
palace, where the breeze of the palms
would cool the heated atmosphere. We
know that our Lord understood the art
OF modern salesmanship so we'll that in
all probability the conversation, that re-
suited in the conversion of Zacchaeus.
was carried on when they were alone.
From the moment that the eyes of
Jesus had aroused intense desire upon
the part OF the publican to be like the
Master. whose genial words of COM
mana had made MIN hasten to comply
with the Lords orders and to try to
give the unexpected guest a royal well
come, the spirit of God had been work.
Ing nightly in the heart of Zacchaeus.
Evidently, he felt keenly the charge
That he had been an eXtortioner, who
had taken from his countrymen more
than he ought to have collected in
taxes. He faced the issue when ne ac-
cepted Jesus as his Lord. for he proved
his repentance by changing completely
his business policies and practices.
There could be no question of his con-
version when he proposed to devote
half of his wealth to the poor, Thereby
proving himself to be more generous
than the Pharisees, who prided them
selves upon doubling the 1.-THE and CIV
ing fifth in aims" He must have
felt the necessity of rectifying, as far
as was possible, any wrongs that he
urha he -
restore fourfold to any man If he had
''wrongfully exacted aught" from any
person. In proposing fourfold resto-
ration, the converted business man
proposed to make ''the highest reStitu-
ton that the Romans demanded, while
the Jewish law ordinarily required only
twofold."
Christ Confirms His Conversion.
1t was joyful news that Jesus
brought to Zacchaeus when He de-
clared unto him, To-day is salvation
come to this house" The publican had
proven his repentance and faith by his
proposals. No matter what the COM
munity thought about ZacchaeuS, the
Lord proclaimed him to be "a son of
Abraham" Christ had seen in the
changed attitude of his host the evil
dence that the business man. who had
d5dAAob LID OWIl COuLlJI Was
entitled to be called "a son of Abra-
ham," not on account of his birth and
descent, but because he had proven be-
yond doubt that he was a true believer.
The foundation of the business mans
salvation, like that of every other per-
son being born again, is due to the
Masters mission, For the Son of Man
came to seek and to save that which
was lost"
Slowly but steadily through the CEN
turtles the gospel of the Lord Jesus has
been demonstrating its power over the
lives of business men. More and more
the principles of the Master can be
seen III changing the practices and
policies of the commercial world, that
Is coming to recognize that the best
way to make success OF ones business
is to conduct it in accordance with the
will and program of the Christ. Every
advancement in the relation of business
men to the world can be traced to the
power of the gospel to transform the
character of men and change the cur
rents of the worlds business along the
lines of the Master. The greatest ousi-
ness of the world is the work of the
church, that seeks to save individuals
and society. When the business of the
world is conducted in accordance with
the principles of the Lord Jesus men
will then enjoy the abundant life that
Christ has brought to the world.