Genesis 4:9 “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ And he said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’”
WHERE’S YOUR BROTHER?
I grew up with an older brother. Boy, did we have some fights. I guess most of that is normal. After all, it’s been going on since creation, right? But do you know why? Because of the fall of man. If sin had not entered the world, Cain and Abel would have been fine.
It all came down to greed and jealousy. Cain’s offering “of” his fruits was not received by the Lord while Abel’s offering from the “firstlings of his flock” was. Cain obviously did not give God the first fruits. Man, that sounds like my fights with my brother. Most of them were over greed or jealously. Nothing much has changed.
TEACHING MOMENT
If your kids don’t fight, count your blessings. But it’s pretty safe to say that at some point they have disagreements. This passage about Cain and Abel is the perfect story to read to them. Now make sure you point out that the way Cain solved the problem was NOT the correct way. We don’t want little Johnny or Susie taking a rock to their sibling’s head, do we?
Explain to them that their fighting is part of the old sin nature. As believers, that old nature has been defeated by the blood of Christ. They need to know that it has no more power over them, if they have given their life to Christ. There is no need to yield to the temptation.
But how about your greed or jealousy or strife? Do you still battle those hot-headed emotions? We all do, unless we are surrendered to His Will and His Way. Show your children how to die to self and allow the love of Christ to be your guide.
A Moment In Time 