The Principle of Reciprocity is God's Rule

In business, the principle of reciprocity is a widely-used practice in sales. The rule is based on solid human behavior, and states that if you do something nice for someone, they will reciprocate and do something nice for you. Even if they really don't want to, they will feel a need (or obligation) deep within them to reciprocate the action.

This principle has worked well for businesses and salespeople for a very long time. Particularly in online sales. How many times have you downloaded a free ebook or newsletter? Of course, you willingly give your e-mail address in exchange for this freebie after which you receive correspondence from the merchandiser. It profits both merchant and potential customer.

Reciprocity is a long established psychological precept. Accepted and used to great gain in the business community, few people really think much more about it than that. But if you examine it from a spiritual viewpoint you will find that it is one of God's rules for living. And it yields more than typically put forward.

God (however you perceive God) asks us to love one another and treat others as we would like to be treated. Most religious traditions teach this in one way or another. As we love each other, we build warm feelings inside of us as well as passing warmth onto someone else in the form of a gift, whether tangible or not. These feelings of warmth do not rely on another person's acceptance of our gift, or whether or not the person responds in kind. That independent feeling of goodness is our gift from God for our loving-kindness.

So what about the other person. The gift from you triggers an urge on their part to reciprocate. As they return your kindness, they too feel the gift of warmth from God. These good feelings may then be passed on to someone else.

But the benefits do not stop there. As well as strengthening your business or personal life, practicing reciprocity also allows you to build your spiritual life. You take part in what God has created and you multiply it when you pass it on.

As with all things that have free will associated with them, reciprocity can backfire. If your gift is not given selflessly but given with the intent of a return, it may break the chain of warm feelings. Self-centered giving will not create warm feelings in anyone.

This is not to say you should stop giving, in your personal life or business, but it does mean that your intent needs to be genuine and authentic. Without it, you might as well not bother with your effort.

God is at work in the principle of reciprocity. Using God's gift as intended will benefit you and bring spiritual rewards as well.