Restitution: A Fruit of True Repentance

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Saturday, November 18, 2025

Today's Text: Luke 19:1-10

Key Verse: Luke 19:8 (KJV): "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."

The encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus is a powerful illustration of the transformative work of God's grace and the necessary evidence of genuine repentance. Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, was a symbol of greed and exploitation, having made his fortune by overcharging his own people under Roman authority. But, when the Savior came to his house, everything changed. This change wasn't merely a verbal confession of sin or a change in religious practice; it was demonstrated by a radical, voluntary act of restitution.

Restitution, in its spiritual context, is the act of restoring something taken unjustly or compensating for injury or loss inflicted upon another. It is the practical, tangible way we confess a sin that has harmed another person. The Law of Moses was very clear on this: an offender not only has to restore what was taken but also to add a percentage as a penalty (Leviticus 6:1-5; Numbers 5:6-7). Zacchaeus went far beyond the minimal legal requirement, offering to give half his goods to the poor and restore fourfold to anyone he had defrauded.

This fourfold restoration (the amount required for stealing and slaughtering a sheep or ox, Exodus 22:1) was a sign of his deep contrition and desire to make things right, even at personal financial ruin. That's the spirit of restitution. It is not about earning salvation; it is the natural fruit of it. Jesus declared, "This day is salvation come to this house" (verse 9) after Zacchaeus made his declaration of restitution. His action validated his repentance, proving that the change was from the heart and not merely from the lips.

Genuine faith impacts our finances, our relationships, and our integrity. If we have truly repented of theft, fraud, slander, or any sin that caused another person material or relational harm, the love of God compels us to actively seek to repair that damage. We cannot truly hold on to ill-gotten gains while claiming to embrace the righteousness of Christ. The difficulty of restitution often reveals the shallowness of our repentance. It challenges our pride, our desire for comfort, and our love for money. Yet, without it, our confession of sin is incomplete, and our claim to faith may be lacking the vital evidence of a transformed life.

Let this scripture truth guide us. Our hearts must be so overwhelmed by the grace of Christ that we'd be willing to pay any cost to correct past wrongs and live with integrity. This is a key aspect of repentance, rooted in Old Testament principles and reinforced by Zacchaeus's example in the New Testament. This is a call for us to examine our past actions, identify instances of harm or wrongdoing, and take concrete steps to make amends, whether through restoring what was taken or apologizing and repairing damage. This demonstrates a commitment to Christ's righteousness and a desire to live ethically and justly. It is the way to experience healing, restoration, and a deeper walk with God.

Action Steps: Examine your heart and your past dealings with others. Prayerfully consider any outstanding instances where you may have caused material or significant relational harm to another person through dishonesty, theft, or slander. If so, take concrete steps to make restitution—to restore what was taken or to apologize and repair the damage, making things right—as an evidence of your commitment to Christ's righteousness. Pray for wisdom and guidance on how to make amends and live with integrity. Implement changes in your lifestyle to prevent similar harm or wrongdoing in the future

Quote for the Day: "Restitution is the outward sign of an inward grace—the true test of a repentant heart. Faith that does not touch our attitude to money, material and integrity needs a second touch." (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Gracious and Transforming Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your grace and mercy that bring salvation through Jesus Christ. Your Word reminds me that true repentance is not only a matter of the heart but is also evidenced by my actions toward others. Forgive me for the times I have been dishonest, selfish, or caused harm to others. I pray for the courage and humility to confront any needed acts of restitution, to willingly give up what is unjustly mine, and to seek reconciliation wherever my past actions have caused injury. Grant me a radical, Zacchaeus-like commitment to your righteousness, in Jesus's mighty name. Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this journey to deeper faith. For additional readings on the themes of righteousness and repentance, read: Ezekiel 33:14-16, Matthew 5:23-24, Philippians 4:8.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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