Am I My Sister’s Keeper?

“Am I my brother’s keeper?” Those were the words spoken by Cain when the Lord inquired, concerning Abel’s whereabouts.

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" The LORD said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground (Genesis 4:9-10).

Cain’s words: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” were words spoken by a person who was unconcerned with his brother and who was unwilling to accept responsibility for his brother’s welfare. Jealousy, bitterness, and envy led him to mumble against his brother, assume the worst about him, plot against him, and eventually murder him because God had accepted Abel's offering, but not his.

If only he understood:

• Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9).



• Jesus’ words, For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).



• There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear… (1 John 4:18)

If he had understood these points, do you think he would have responded differently?

When the pain of you sister cries out from Darfur, a broken relationship, cancer, the death of a loved one, loneliness, or from the remnants of a failed business venture; what do you say? What do you do? Do you feel a since of responsibility to watch out for, care for, or pray for her?.

The story of the Good Samaritan gives a wonderful example of what it is to truly be your sister’s (or brother’s) keeper:

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” (Luke 10:30-36).


Your Call to Order...
Do you believe that you are your sister’s keeper? If you have failed to show a lack of concern for your sister:

• Repent of your lack of concern, your inactivity, or the fear that has hindered you from reaching out.



• Confess to God your weakness in this area, and ask Him for wisdom and guideance.



• Resolve to be your sister's keeper.

Power Verses:

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:44-45).

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Galatians 5:14).