His encounter with Jesus completely changed his life

When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today. (Luke 19:5 CEV)

 While Zacchaeus was happy to have Jesus come to his home, the others present began to grumble and complain. In calling Zacchaeus a “sinner,” the crowd was likely expressing their opinion about tax collectors and venting their feelings about the way they took advantage of those from whom they collected taxes. They also charged Jesus with associating with sinners.
 Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.”
 Zacchaeus’ interaction with Jesus radically changed his handling of money; he moved from taking advantage of others to helping and serving them.
 Zacchaeus seemed like an unlikely candidate for salvation. He was not only a sinner, but he worked for the oppressive Roman Empire, enriching himself at the expense of his own people. However, his encounter with Jesus completely changed his life. Jesus was willing to look beyond who and what a person was; He was willing to interact with someone despised and rejected by society and give him the opportunity to receive salvation.
 May we all reflect Jesus when we encounter those who are looked down upon, and even those who have wronged us or others. May we show love, tolerance, and forgiveness to all we come

 Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.  —Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

[1] Activated Jesus—His Life and Message: Zacchaeus