LightGrams
November 20, 2025
Volume 29, Number 37
Chickasha, a small city in Oklahoma, is renewing a drive this year to encourage people to give food to their local food bank. For a few weeks, people may have some or all of their traffic or municipal fines forgiven by bringing in nonperishable foods. According to the city’s website, fines can be forgiven up to $100. The Chickasha Public Library is also joining in, offering to forgive any fines for overdue books for those who donate food.
This is the second year Chickasha will conduct this campaign of mercy. Last year 30 individuals participated, donating food supplies worth $2,826.50. Some of those who gave did not owe any fines at all but chose to share from their personal bounty.
The United Press article noted that the St. Johns County Public Library System in Florida has been conducting a similar effort since 2009. Donations there will lead to a $2 reduction in library fines. If patrons prefer, they can make cash donations on their overdue fines which will help purchase bicycle lights for children and their families.
Some may wonder if heaven provides a similar program. Can we donate food or other needed supplies to “pay our fines” to God? Will good works prepare us for Judgment Day?
Paul addressed such thinking in Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” “Paying our fines” to God cannot be done through good works, Paul teaches. Fines can be paid, but only by the grace of God through our faith.
On the night of His arrest, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and made this observation about His blood: “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). John was given a vision of those who were faithful to Jesus to the point of death: “And they overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony …” (Revelation 12:11). In Revelation 7:14 we’re told that these saints “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” No, our good works can’t cover the penalties of our sins.
But go back to Ephesians 2 and see what Paul went on to say: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Charitable deeds won’t save anyone, but those who are saved by the blood of Jesus are called to become people who help others. Matthew 25:34-40 shows that such gestures of compassion and love will be remembered by the Lord on the Day of Judgment.
Salvation comes only by the grace of God. But it also calls for us to show enough faith in Him to submit to anything He asks of us.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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