Am I My Brother's Keeper

English Standard Version Chapter 4

4 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

What a question? Am I My Brother’s Keeper? This sarcastic question from Cain can now be answered in the affirmative. We should understand that we have a responsibility for each other. It was near the end of that black classic film New Jack City when Nino pulls out his gun and points it at G-Money and G-Money says Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Nino says Yes I am before he shoots him.

This scene which has been view by many of us paints the scenario that the world seems to follow. No forgiveness and No mercy! What we have failed to understand is A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

When we read it in Genesis 4:9 it is Cain’s response to God when asked, Where is your brother Abel? He lies and said He did not know but had the nerve to be flippant with God. Am I my brother’s keeper? Cain is thee epitome of the one Jesus addresses in John 8 when he addresses his critics

English Standard Version Chapter 8

If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Cain is a liar and a murderer. He murders his brother out of jealousy and then lies about it.

When God comes to Cain its not because God did not know what happen he was giving Cain an opportunity to come clean. God knows what Cain had done. He lead his brother to the field and killed him. I preached a sermon some years ago Cain was not Able. It appears Cain was innately evil. The Bible says The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. John describes Cain . 1John 3:12 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Gifts Matter

English Standard Version Chapter 4

3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

As much as we don’t like it gifts matter. How and what you bring to the Lord matters. God really does know your heart. Gifts come in many forms, from talents to blessings, and the Bible encourages us to use them wisely. We have been given gifts from God so we should be mindful of what we bring to him. Cain like brought God any ole thing. The word said God had no respect for Cain’s gift.

I know some would say well he brought him something. God doesn’t deserve just something. He deserves our best because he gave us his best. Consider what you are bringing to God. In you time, talent and treasures. We must bring our best and not get mad when someone who brought their best gets honored more than us. Roman 3-6 says

English Standard Version Chapter 12

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness

Let a man examine himself. And even thou that scripture relates to taking communion it would benefit all of us to do a heart check. A motive check.

When I have given my best in service

 If when you give the best of your service, Telling the world that the Savior is come, Be not dismayed when they do not believe you; He understands, he'll say, "Well done."

Refrain: Oh, when I come to the end of my journey, Weary of life and the battle is won; Carrying the staff and the cross of redemption, He'll understand and say, "Well done."

2. Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners, Hung on the cross; He was God's only Son; Oh! hear him calling his Father in Heaven, "Let not my will, but yours be done." [Refrain]

3. If when this life of labor in ended, And the reward of the race you have run; Oh! the sweet rest that's prepared for the faithful Will be their blest and last "Well done." [Refrain]

4. But if you try and fail in your trying, Hands sore and scarred from the work you've begun, Take up your cross and run quickly to meet him; He'll understand, he'll say, "Well done." [Refrain]

Genuine faith should be accompanied when giving gifts.

Don’t let sin get the best of you

English Standard Version Chapter 4

6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Cain became angry because God rejected his gift.

God said if you do well your gift will be accept. How do we do well? If you give from the heart. If you give your best. Luke 21:1-4 21 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2 and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

We have a responsibility to lay a side the weight and sin that so easily beset us.

The first murder was the result of the sin of jealousy. Envy is a dangerous. Copilot Answer

The Bible teaches us to guard against envy and jealousy. We can overcome these emotions by submitting to God, resisting the enemy’s schemes, and drawing near to God. We should also take control of our mind, get rid of envy and jealousy, and be content. According to Proverbs 14:30, envy is the rottenness of the bones. James 3:16 says that where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. We should trust in the Lord, love others as God loves us, and practice forgiveness. 

What God has for you is for you. You don’t have to jealous of your neighbor. If you do well…

Finally You are your brother’s keeper

English Standard Version Chapter 4

9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?”

Cain was being sarcastic. Instead of taking accountability for his actions he deflected! We have a responsibility to care for each other. Remember what Jesus said what you . done unto the least of them you done unto me. We must learn to live peaceably with each other.

Being your brother’s keeper means:

Taking responsibility when others are in need

Standing up for those who can’t speak for themselves

Acting with empathy and compassion

We cant stand quiet when government cuts Medicaid and Snap benefits while giving the rich yet another tax break.

We cant be killing each other.

We need empathy How would i feel in that same situation.