The Rich Young Ruler goes away sad because he cannot respond to Jesus' call to give away his possessions and follow Jesus. Zacchaeus the tax collector spontaneously declares that he will give half of what he has to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated four times over. Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house. Ruth reflects on the connection between these two passages and the way in which repentance is identified by what the two individuals choose to do with their worldly wealth once they encounter Jesus.