Reciprocity

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
Proverbs 26:27

In the same way that nobody can escape the rule of the law of gravity, no person may withdraw from the law of reciprocity. With similar words King David reaffirmed the universal principle of reciprocity: “Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.” [1] Given the prevailing selfishness in humans, it should be reason enough to avoid by all means possible to make any kind of evil, however small , to our neighbor. Knowing that the evil act will come back on us should deter us from causing harm to those around us so we can, this way, protect us from evil. And this is something that works as well for good actions. The good you do to others, God returns it to us as a blessing. Therefore the Lord Jesus spoke clearly when he said: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” [2]

Let us consider  our actions at all times. Let us find out what are the chances that what we are doing or have decided to do might cause damage or harm to others. Remember the warning of James, the brother of the Lord: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” [3] This is the correct ethical position. This is how we should behave always, following the teachings of Jesus and the exhortations of the apostle Paul: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” [4] Only to God be the glory!

[1] Psalm 7:14-16
[2] Matthew 7:12
[3] James 4:17
[4] Galatians 6:10