Are we supposed to be our brothers/sisters’ keepers?

Are we supposed to be our brothers/sisters’ keepers?

One major characteristic of the early Christian community was their deep and sincere concern for each other’s welfare. This was so because, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ Himself, Christianity is all about seeking the good of mankind. We must remember that a mind that has no love cannot do any good to a relation, friend, neighbor, or colleague. In practical terms, love is the foundation for unity, peace, prosperity, and joy. If our political leaders have love in their hearts, the masses will taste the dividends of democracy. No wonder, the Bible says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2). It also means that when Christians live righteous lives, the people around them will all be happy. Is this what is happening today? The answer is definitely NO! So many people are suffering on the face of the earth because too many Christians have refused to be their brothers and sisters’ keepers.

In most developed countries, there is what they call Social Security Benefit. This is a program to take care of the basic needs of the unemployed among them. This is a good example of “being our brothers/sisters’ keepers.” Let this be a genuine challenge to all Christians to make it a lifestyle to identify with the needs of the poor, widows, and orphans around them.

We are living in a generation where instead of responding positively to God’s desire concerning showing love and kindness to our brothers, sisters, and neighbors in need; we chose to join spirit with Cain who never saw any reason why he should be responsible for his brother’s good. That was the simple reason why Cain could boldly ask God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” As Christians, we are all expected to be our brothers and sisters’ keepers. By doing so, we are sowing joy and happiness in the lives of the people around us. Since He God is not a liar, He will definitely water our lives and cause us to reap a hundred fold of whatever we have sown in other people’s lives. It is not late. Let us be wise and win God’s heart and get our prayers answered today.  

We cannot claim to love God and yet allow the people He created in His own image and likeness to suffer poverty and neglect. Let us consider what is recorded in 1 John 4:20. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

There is also a message for those who are afraid of doing good mainly because of some nasty experiences they suffered because of their benevolence in the past. This is what the Bible says in 1 Peter 3: 13-17.  “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”