9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

Obviously the Lord knew the answer to His own question. He knew all along what Cain had done and what he was about to do. He wanted Cain to admit his guilt, but Cain doubled down. No way was he going to confess. Did he think he wouldn’t be caught by the very God who created him?

Cain’s arrogant question to the Lord is relevant to us, isn’t it, that is, without the arrogant undertones. To what extent are we our brother’s keeper? How much are we to look out for those we know are struggling? What is our level of commitment to the elderly?

The other day I was scrolling through my phone and was about ready to call an elderly family friend I’ve known since I was 5. I didn’t call her. Why not? I made some excuse that I was waiting for another call or something, but how much would that have meant to her since I hadn’t spoken with her in a few months?

Being your “brother’s keeper” doesn’t have to be much more complex than that phone call (that I didn’t make). Don’t underestimate the value of a simple act like that.