LightGrams
August 13, 2026
Volume 30, Number 28
A bookstore in Old Towne Eureka, California recently received a package. Inside was a book that had been stolen 40 years ago; also included was a note of apology and a $100 bill. The note explained that the theft occurred when the man was a college student and had a drug habit. He was in need of money, and this was a potential source of income.
The book was never turned into cash and ended up in a box in the man’s basement. When he came across it he was moved to set things right. “I was so happy to find that the store was still in business so I could return the book and tell you how sorry I am for my utter lack of principles,” he wrote.
Are there hard feelings on the part of the bookstore owner? Not at all. In an interview with a local paper, she called his actions “exceptional”. After so many years, she understood the man still having bad feelings about his transgression, but acting on those feelings sets him apart.
Jesus spent the day with a man who was known for taking money that was not rightfully his. Zacchaeus could have argued, “I’m just doing my job.” Most tax collectors in that era took more than the Roman government required. But this man’s response shows a change of heart.
“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8). Jesus was pleased with the man’s change and declared that “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Yes, justice was overdue, but Zacchaeus was determined to make things right.
Behind such changes is usually a thing called “conscience”. Conscience might be compared to a smoke alarm; when it detects an injustice that we have committed – a lie, a theft, or an injury – an alarm goes off in our minds and we feel uncomfortable. But often we choose to ignore that discomfort and try to just go on with our lives with no attempt to set things straight. Over time, the discomfort fades and we may even forget the harm we committed.
That’s a dangerous condition to accept. “… having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:19). A shipwreck is a major event that cannot be viewed as good in any way. Paul’s point is about the shipwreck of a soul, and that’s about as catastrophic as any event. And it happens because conscience has been rejected.
Is it time to “examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5)? A long time may have passed since an injustice was committed. There’s still time for us to make things right.
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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