Watching Over One Another

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9 (NKJV)

This verse is part of the Biblical account of Cain and Abel. Most people know it, but just in case, I ‘ll summarize it. Cain and Abel were sons of Adam and Eve. Abel was a herdsman, or a keeper of sheep. Cain was a farmer who raised crops. Abel brought his offering to God in accordance with the example God set: to bring an animal as a blood offering. Cain did not. Instead, he brought crops from his fields, and according to some theologians, he brought the last of the crop- the leftovers that were of inferior quality. God accepted Abels’ sacrifice, but rejected Cain’s. Cain then murdered Abel out of jealousy, and God inquired of him about Abel. In reply, Cain famously said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Some versions or translations of this verse use the word guardian instead of keeper. The New Century Version phrases his response as, “Is it my job to take care of my brother?” This helps us to see what Cain was really saying. He was telling the Lord that he really did not believe it was his responsibility to watch out for or take care of his brother. He believed it should be every man for himself.

Many people have used the same phrase, or one like it. Many people believe it is not their job to watch over other people. However, the Bible clearly tells us that we are to watch over one another. For example, the members of the church are to watch over each other to keep each other from sin, and to address it when a brother or sister is involved in sin.

If anyone observes a fellow believer habitually sinning in a way that doesn’t lead to death, you should keep interceding in prayer that God will give that person life. I John 5:16 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer! James 5:16 (TPT)

Finally, as members of God’s beloved family, we must go after the one who wanders from the truth and bring him back.  For the one who restores the sinning believer back to God from the error of his way, gives back to his soul life from the dead, and covers over countless sins by their demonstration of love! James 5:19-20 (TPT)

This shows that we are indeed our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper or guardian. We are to watch out for one another and intercede for each other. And we are also to guard over and intercede for those who are not believers. Of course, each person has their own choices to make and we cannot force people to receive Christ or to live a godly life. But, we are to do our best to cover them in prayer and reach out to them in love. It is up to us to reach out to them and find ways to meet their needs. Reaching out to the hungry, the homeless, and the poor, is one way to be our brother’s keeper.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 (New International Version, NIV)

Let’s be sure not to adopt Cain’s attitude as a cop-out for not watching out for and helping other people. We are definitely our brother’s keeper- and very much so.

Relationships, Giving, Body of Christ, Helping Others, Practical Help, Selflessness, Sin, Guard, Personal growth, Christian maturity, Christian Values, God's Will, love, Witnessing, Bible