A People Set Apart | Men's Devotionalნიმუში

Yes, You Are Your Brother’s Keeper

Men, let's just face the facts:

As much as we may want to say that responsibility is a personal thing—that everyone needs to look out for themselves, and we'll do the same—that's just not God's way.

From the very beginning, we were meant to look after each other.

When Cain killed Abel in a fit of jealousy, God asked him where his brother was. Cain's evasive and deflecting response was, “Am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:1-16). While it's true that God doesn't answer that question directly, the question “Where is your brother?” implies that, yes, we are our brother's keeper.

Even when we don't like it.

We've already mentioned some of the factions and divisions the church in Corinth struggled with. One of them was a bit of elitism based on the gifting that the Spirit had bestowed on different believers.

It's hard not to imagine Paul being utterly exasperated by this particular issue.

Perhaps with a hand over his forehead, Paul reminds the church that the Spirit's gifts are meant for the good of the whole. They are not status symbols. They are tools with which to serve. They are the currency that can be used to pay the debt of mutual love.

It is disheartening to think that the generosity of the Spirit could be abused for personal gain or to separate the Body of Christ.

Disheartening, but perhaps not surprising.

As we think about our interactions today in the Body of Christ, we are forced to reckon with the same question that Cain posed. To meet this responsibility, the Spirit graciously gives gifts—vast and varied—to the members of Christ’s Body so that we can serve one another for the good of the whole.

Men, how do you use your gift(s)? Do you know how the Spirit has gifted you?

Prayer: God, thank You for the generous gifts Your Spirit has given to the members of the Church. Help me to know and use my gifts for the good of others in the Body. Amen.

Reflection: Find one way this week to use the gift(s) God has given you to serve someone else.