READ: Psalm 35:19-28
“…and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” – Luke 19:8
When Zacchaeus repented he gave himself away and let the whole world know what he had been up to. The confessions of Zacchaeus are a revelation about the purpose and powerful effect of accusations.
Zacchaeus revealed that he had been accusing people, telling lies about them to take things from them. He took things away from people by falsely accusing them.
Perhaps he would accuse one of evading tax and based on that he would seize the person’s goods. He would accuse another of getting his contract in the wrong way and through that he would take away their contracts. Systematically, through false accusation and intimidation, he took away the wealth and possessions of many people.
This is why ministers of the Gospel are accused of different things – in order to take away their members. Ministers are accused of immorality because it is a good reason for people to leave their folds and desert them. Ministers are accused of immorality so that people do not stay with them any longer. Why would you want to stay with an immoral person? Ministers are accused of misappropriating money so that people lose confidence in them and leave them. Why should you have a thief as a pastor? Ministers are accused of homosexuality. Why should you follow a pastor who is a homosexual? Ministers are accused of being racist so that people from other races will turn away from them. Ministers are accused of being bad leaders. Why should you follow a bad leader?