RAISING CAIN’S QUESTION

READING: ROMANS 14:14-23

Verse 21: “It is good to neither eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.”

In Genesis 4:9, with a sarcastic tone, Cain asked God a question. He said “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The context surrounding this verse responds to Cain’s question, but does not answer it directly. However, there are passages in the Bible that do fully answer the question about our responsibility for others. For example, Romans 14:12 demonstrates a manner in which we are to be our brothers’ keepers. We are instructed to do nothing that will induce another to sin, that will entice another to sin; or that will create doubt for another about what constitutes righteous behavior. Obedience to this verse can become very demanding. The standard it establishes positions a person to not stop with a relaxed level of seeing to the wellbeing of someone else. It can require that caring for another be done at a sacrificial cost. We must be prepared to give up what is comfortable, desirable, or even necessary, in order to faithfully care for others. Another way to put it is to state that the obedient Christian may need to go the second mile. This verse and others provide the answer to Cain’s question. Frequently we are to be our brothers’ keepers! That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What should we expect to result from being a brother’s keeper?

2. How can a person know they are causing someone to stumble, be offended or made weak?