Law of Reciprocity
     1.   “Reciprocate” means to give and take mutually; to return in kind (even in another kind)
     or degree.
     2.   Very clear principle in scripture:
               a.   in kind
                         i.   Mt 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” — we
               receive “in kind”; we receive what we give away.
                         ii.  Lk 6:31 (Golden Rule) “Do to others as you would have them do to
               you.”
               b.   not in kind
                         i.   Mt 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
               things will be given to you as well.”
                         ii.  We give God what he asks for: righteousness, sensitivity to his will
               (kingdom)
                         iii. He in turn provides us things we need: food, clothing, drink, necessities
               of life
                         iv.  Ps 37:25 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the
               righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
                         v.   These examples not “in kind”
                         vi.  Is this not simply God’s care for his people? Yes, God does care for his
               people, however, works within the system he created.
                         vii. God’s provision for saints is part of covenant, which is based on
               reciprocity
               c.   in degree
                         i.   Mt 7:1-2 “do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way
               you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it
               will be measured to you.” — complete definition of reciprocity: in kind
               and in degree.
                         ii.  2 Co 9:6, 8 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
               sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously....
               And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at
               all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good
               work.”
                                   (1)  Shows that reciprocity applies to finances; context: contributions
                                   (2)  Same principle and application in Mal 3:10 “Bring the whole
                    tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
                    Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not
                    throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much
                    blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
                         iii. You can’t out-give God.
                         iv.  You give in relation to your ability and he gives in relation to his ability;
               but his ability is infinitely greater than yours.
     3.   Reciprocity presents a real paradox
               a.   If you need more than you have, give away what you do have
               b.   Logic says we should keep what little we have and add to it.
               c.   Did God set up his kingdom to work backwards from reality just to be
          obviously different? No. God’s way was first and best; sin has messed up man’s
          thinking so badly that God’s way doesn’t seem right any more. That’s proof of
          sin’s effect on us.
               d.   World’s perspective: collect what you can, consume it yourself.
               e.   God’s system:
                         i.   be a channel to serve others
                         ii.  set resources in motion, you will receive
                         iii. your action sets spiritual forces into motion; this is a spiritual law
     4.   Gal 6:7-10 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
     The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;
     the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not
     become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not
     give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to
     those who belong to the family of believers.”
               a.   Powerful!
               b.   How many people do you know (including yourself, maybe) who think they’re
          different, they won’t be affected by the things that destroy so many other
          people?
               c.   “God cannot be mocked.” His laws apply equally to everyone. Universality.
               d.   “Sows to please his sinful nature”:
                         i.   keeping what you have to accumulate more; pleases sinful nature
                         ii.  criticizing others to improve your own image
                         iii. working longer hours to earn more money, to the detriment of your
               family and self
                         iv.  These are things your sinful nature says you should do. Sowing to your
               sinful nature.
               e.   “At the proper time we will reap a harvest”:
                         i.   reciprocity isn’t instantaneous; “if we do not give up.”
                         ii.  May say, “I tried it once and it didn’t work.” Persistence is vital.
               f.   “Let us do good to all people”
                         i.   Notice how pleasing the Spirit is related to how we treat each other
                         ii.  Also notice, “all people” includes all people
                         iii. Some think we should serve only other believers; not so.
               g.   “Especially to those who belong to the family of believers”
                         i.   we need to practice on people who know what we’re trying to do;
               similar to role-playing, and they’re more forgiving if we goof.
                         ii.  it’s easier to learn a principle if you see more immediate results;
               believers more likely to respond directly, and we make the association
               faster.
                         iii. Believers are your spiritual family; family has high priority.
                         iv.  Building other believers up helps them participate in God’s kingdom;
               very high priority.

Universal Law
     1.   applies to non-believers
               a.   different spiritual forces involved
               b.   instead of redeemed human spirit and HS, unredeemed human spirit and evil
          spirits.
     2.   produces different spiritual results, but still  causes results

Discussion questions
     1.   How does the Law of Reciprocity apply to us corporately as a church?
     2.   How should we use it in our activities and business? What results should we expect?
     3.   How does the Law apply to us as families? How should we use it and what results
     should we expect?

Activity
Everyone stand. Ladies turn to men and give your prettiest smile. Men can’t resist;
automatically respond, example of reciprocity