You Are Your Brother's Keeper!

Genesis 4:9 - And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

The question Cain asked God is, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
This question can be paraphrased as “Is Abel my responsibility?” or “Is Abel my business?”

Life is about responsibilities. Not only to ourselves but to others too!

Human survival is hedged on the principle of INTERDEPENDENCE. As a matter of facts, there is an internal recognition in our spirit that we are not an island. We are part of a whole.

It is dangerous not to be our brother’s keeper. When we ignore our fellow human beings, we run the risk of inviting other dangers in our society. Let me use some Biblical examples to illustrate this.

1.     Eve Was Created To Be A Help Meet For Adam.When Eve ate the forbidden fruit, contrary to the instruction given to her by Adam, she failed in her responsibility of being he “husbands keeper” and that acts alone brought too much suffering to whole humanity.

2.     Adam Was To Offer Leadership In The Family.When Adam ate the forbidden fruit under the “leadership” of Eve, he failed in his responsibility as the head of his family. In this instant he failed to be “his wife’s keeper”.  That negligence brought misery to humanity.

3.     King David As The Chief Captain Of His Army Had The Responsibility Of Protecting The Interest of every solder.  But David took Bathsheba from Uriah his solder and organised to have Uriah dead and that act alone brought death and great suffering in Israel- 2 Samuel 11:1 – 17

What we learn from these examples is that people who are not their brother’s keeper can easily become their brother’s killer, their brother’s murderers, their brother’s slayers. Cain is a perfect example.

Watch around you and you will notice that those who kill others start by exhibiting a “don’t care attitude” towards some of their fellow family members or colleagues.

Who Are These Brothers To Keep?

1. Our relatives
   Genesis 4:9 - And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
2. Our Parents
   Ephesians 6:2 - Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
3. Our Household (Our Immediate family)
   I Timothy 5:8 - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
4. Fellow Christians
   Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
   A Classic example is the Church in MACEDONIA when they sent help from Europe to brethrens in JUDEA2 Corinthians 8:1 – 5
   Verse 44 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (KJV)(Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints: (BBE))
   
   
5. Strangers In Need
   A Classic example is the parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30 – 3730 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
   31 And by chance there came down a certain PRIEST that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
   32 And likewise a LEVITE, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
   33 But a certain SAMARITAN, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he HAD COMPASSION ON HIM,
   34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
   35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
   36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
   37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, GO, AND DO THOU LIKEWISE.

Let me conclude by giving you a challenge. 
What would you feel if you were the WOUNDED MAN in this parable? Put yourself in the wounded man’s shoe and see how your perception about this parable will change.

Never ignore a man in a needy situation unless you are so sure that your help will not help him (which is very rarely).

Let me also caution any lazy person who keeps waiting for a Good Samaritan. Good Samaritans are “directed by God” and they only meet people who fall into problems by accident. Not people who refuse to take responsibilities for their lives.

Remain Blessed.