LightGrams
February 5, 2026
Volume 30, Number 6
Food pantries are not uncommon in our land. Our church maintains one, serving those who can’t meet expenses. But most of the people we serve understand that we don’t carry a wide selection of items. Canned goods and other non-perishable items are mainly what we have to offer.
A marketing company called Polymarket has announced plans to open a free grocery store in Manhattan on February 12. It has been described as “fully stocked” and requiring no purchases. There will be a wide selection of items, too, including milk, eggs, bread, produce, and snack items like Pringles and Oreos. One photo we’ve seen makes it look like an average supermarket.
There’s one thing you need to understand, however: This store is for a limited time only. After opening on February 12, it will close on February 16. Of course, its location in Manhattan, New York City assures that it will have brisk business during those few days. But at the end of the day on the 16th, this store will be history. It’s unclear what their rationale is; perhaps it’s strictly for marketing the name of the corporation – Polymarket.
I’m happy for those New Yorkers who will benefit from this promotion, but I know of a superior offer of free staple items. Isaiah 55:1-3 speaks of that offer: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” Notice the emphasis in that passage on “without money and without price”. This is a free offer! Does that get our attention?
Verses 2 and 3 continue: “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear to Me, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live.” Now we begin to see that this is not speaking of physical food, but of something better. By listening to the Lord, our souls will live.
Are you already thinking about Jesus’ response to the devil in Matthew 4:4? The devil had just tempted Jesus to end His 40-day fast by turning the stones into bread. That was well within the power of Jesus to do, but Jesus refused with this explanation: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Think about the contrasts we normally see: Food that sustains mortal life is normally sold at a price, and some are therefore turned away. But the food that sustains spiritual and eternal life is offered by God without price. No one will be turned away. Everyone is welcome to come!
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, 2026, 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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