Valuing Others

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "

8But 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."

9Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Reflection of Bee:

Most people tend to look at others' weaknesses rather than their strengths. I was no difference in the past till something that Tommy told me about a year ago changed the way I look at a person. Though he was referring to his own learning and doing the things that capitalize on his own strength and do well, I used it to apply on the way I should view my colleagues.

Example, my boss tends to write off certain staff he deems as not suitable for some positions, yet I beg to differ. I tend to see their potentials and strengths rather than their weaknesses. I feel I should give them a second chance and help them succeed in doing what they may be good at. I believe such attitude I have comes from the Lord. For my God is a God of compassion and mercy. He came for the 'sick' not the 'well', of whom I am one of them, a wretched soul saved by grace. I am where I am because of His unfailing love.

As I was talking to one of my colleagues, she remarked that God has put me in my present company and position so that I can reach out to others that need help. Yes, I feel I am just like Joseph the 'dreamer'. :P


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your grace and compassion for the 'sick' and the 'lost'.
Thank You for looking beyond my faults and see my needs.
Thank You for Your wonderful grace to me.
I will show grace to others that they may know You.
Thank You for placing me in my working place and in a position of influence.
Thank You for those whom I met and work with in my work place.
For those who do not know You, I pray that they may know You by and by.
For those who have back slided I pray You will restore them to Yourselves.

I pray all these in Jesus' name. Amen