Caring for Others
God asked Cain a question that rings in our ears to this day, "Where is Abel, your brother?"(Genesis 4:9) Of course, Cain evaded the question, because he was guilty of murdering his brother in anger. However, his answer gets us to the heart of a problem to which all of us are susceptible. Cain replied, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" He said in essence, "I do not know, and I do not care." He had a totally self-centered attitude about his brother and other people, as well. What a sad commentary on life. We should know, and we should care, but many are too busy and too self-absorbed.
I believe God is asking this type of question to all of us all the time. He is seeking to show us the focus of our hearts. God knew where Abel was. He asked the question for Cain. He was showing Cain why his brother was dead. The apathy and indifference of Cain led all the way from pride to anger to murder. We all must listen to the question, so we can correct these errors and truly care for those with whom we have any kind of relationship.
Do you really know those around you? Do you take time to learn about their feelings, their thoughts, and their actions? If we don't know them, we can't really know how best to help them. This includes knowing how to share the gospel with them and minister to their needs, as well. Yes, it takes time to talk to people and to listen. It takes time to hear what they are saying. However, when we understand them, we can help them with God's Word in the power of the Spirit.
As we seek to know them, our care for them flourishes. We pray for them. We do special things for them. They see that we care, so they will pay attention to what we have to say. See what I mean. Let's not be guilty of being uncaring. If Jesus was anything, He was a caring person. If we are to be like Him, we will take time and make the effort to know people and to care for them, as Jesus has cared for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 7-9.
I believe God is asking this type of question to all of us all the time. He is seeking to show us the focus of our hearts. God knew where Abel was. He asked the question for Cain. He was showing Cain why his brother was dead. The apathy and indifference of Cain led all the way from pride to anger to murder. We all must listen to the question, so we can correct these errors and truly care for those with whom we have any kind of relationship.
Do you really know those around you? Do you take time to learn about their feelings, their thoughts, and their actions? If we don't know them, we can't really know how best to help them. This includes knowing how to share the gospel with them and minister to their needs, as well. Yes, it takes time to talk to people and to listen. It takes time to hear what they are saying. However, when we understand them, we can help them with God's Word in the power of the Spirit.
As we seek to know them, our care for them flourishes. We pray for them. We do special things for them. They see that we care, so they will pay attention to what we have to say. See what I mean. Let's not be guilty of being uncaring. If Jesus was anything, He was a caring person. If we are to be like Him, we will take time and make the effort to know people and to care for them, as Jesus has cared for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 7-9.