Reciprocity: A Paganistic Worldview
Recently, I had a day on my books with some open time. I decided to go spend it at a local thrift store in the area. Since I have been doing a lot of scrapbooking, I have been on the hunt for specific things regarding my newly found hobby. I found several items I wanted to buy and as I approached the counter, I saw a typed-up letter taped near the register. This specific thrift store uses the money from the items they sell to feed the community around us. They were asking people not to try and negotiate prices and that whatever amount was shown on the price tag was the final price. I paid for my items and got into my car. Immediately, I began justifying to myself why the money I had spent was for a good cause. Suddenly, I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He said to me, “You don’t give something to get back something in return. That is not the way it works.”
The act of giving something to get something is not a new concept. It is an ancient Pagan tradition called Reciprocity. It comes from the Latin phrase do ut des which means, “I give so that you may give.” It is actually a very common social custom in society and is met with the hope that some sort of relationship with the mutual gift giver will follow. This is a human driven reciprocity, and not a biblically based one. Jesus challenged this view on multiple occasions, encouraging people to love their enemies and do good to them without expecting a reward (Matthew 5:44). He even points out that if you love those who love you it credits you for nothing, for even sinners do the same thing (Luke 6:32-36).
That afternoon, I picked up my son from school, and he asked me if we could go to the Fall Festival at our church. This gave me the opportunity to share with him what the Lord had just spoken to me about earlier that day. With Halloween right around the corner, and churches opening their facilities for Trunk or Treat events, the example of human reciprocity would be on full display. Most churches who participate in any kind of public event that creates amusement for the masses, practices reciprocity. The Baptist minister Charles Spurgeon speaks on this exact subject saying, “My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’ (Mark 16:15). That is clear enough. So it would have been if He had added, ‘and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel.’ No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to him.”
He continues, “Then again, ‘He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers…, for the work of the ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-12). Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused? The concert has no martyr roll. Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and the life of Christ and all his apostles. What was the attitude of the church to the world? ‘Ye are the salt’ (Matt. 5:13) not the sugar candy---something the world would spit out not swallow.”
Spurgeon points out that Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them but never sought to amuse them. The American churches set up amusements for the world in hopes that others will receive the gospel but that is not what the bible instructs us to do at all. The apostles did not participate in amusements to get people to receive the message because the gospel was and is of itself enough. Entertainment does not produce converts, nor does it set men’s hearts on fire for Jesus Christ. It is a mission that needs no amusements, no alterations and no human insights to further propel the Way, the Truth and the Life. Christ could offer no amusements to the world because the darkness does not mix with the light, nor the truth with a lie. In these volatile times, people need the truth, and they need the gospel. We must not live for Christ halfway in the world and halfway on the narrow path. It’s either one side or the other. There is no in between.
As believers, we are called to live differently—to give without expecting in return, to love without condition, and to serve without seeking applause. Just as in our salon, where we aim to refresh not only outer beauty but also inner spirit, our lives should reflect a heart surrendered to Christ alone. True generosity, true ministry, and true beauty all come from a place of obedience and grace, not from the desire for recognition or reward. May we continue to be a light in our community, offering our gifts, our time, and our talents as acts of worship—freely given, just as Christ freely gave Himself for us.