“Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” Matthew 18:33.

No one walks this journey of life alone; and it is just nice to be nice. The spiritual seeds that we sow in the life of others of kindness, mercy, compassion, good-will and love…are sure to find their way back in our own lives by the grace of God. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7.

The Law of Reciprocity, also known as the Law of Sowing and Reaping, is defined as receiving something as a result of what we give or do. The Bible makes it clear that we might receive the same as we give, such as mercy; Or we might not receive in kind, such as receiving what we need from God as we make His kingdom our main focus. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33.

Keeping the thought of reciprocity in mind, it behooves us to be careful in our motives and actions when dealing with others. In the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus teaches His disciples a lesson on being humble and forgiving one another. He shares a parable, that He associates with the kingdom of Heaven. “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.” Matthew 18:23. The King of Kings will return one day, and we will all give an account.

The king required that one of his servants repay the ten thousand talents that he owed him, unfortunately the servant did not have the amount to pay the debt. The king sentenced him, his wife, his children, and all that he had would be sold to repay the debt. The servant pleaded with the king to have mercy on him, and he would repay the debt. The lord of the servant was moved with compassion for him and let him go. “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:27.

How wonderful the analogy is going at this juncture; but it certainly does not end there; the servant with an unforgiving heart turned around, found one of his own servants and mercilessly required payment of a debt owed him, with absolutely no compassion; and when his lord was told what he had done, he was recalled before the king and delivered over into the hands of the tormentors. “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.” Matthew 18:32-34.

How are you living with others today; are you forgiving and showing compassion to others who may offend you- or has your heart grown lukewarm and selfishly seeks to gain only what concerns you and yours… “I got mind, and you better get yours,” some will carelessly dare to say! But God have mercy own our souls, for He will return one day…and we too will give an account for the deeds in this life.

Our Lord, and Master unlimitedly forgives us of our offenses, and we are to do the same to our fellowman. The scripture lesson in Matthew 18:35 ends with these words of warning: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

In response to His Word, let us pray to be careful of how we treat others, preferring to be conduits of God’s love, compassion, mercy, and amazing grace to all we meet along this journey of life.

God’s peace and protection be with us all.