Who Needs Brothers?

Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 2:10-11; 13:1

Carley felt a sharp poke under the table. “Knock it off, Brooks!” she hissed, aiming a kick back at her brother. He scowled at her and then snuck a look at Dad, who was reading a Bible passage for family devotions.

“A friend loves at all times,” Dad read, “and a brother is born for adversity.” He looked up. “That is, for hard times,” he explained.

“You can say that again!” said Carley. “Brothers are good for nothing but giving you a hard time.”

“Hold it!” said Dad. “That’s not what the verse is saying. One translation of the Bible says, ‘A brother is born to help in time of need.’ It means times like…well, like the time you fell off the slide at school, Carley, and your brother ran and got a teacher and then stayed with you.”

“Yeah, Carley!” Brooks piped up, poking his sister again.

Mom turned to look at Brooks. “And remember what happened yesterday when you dropped your notebook? Who ran after all those papers that were blowing away down the street?” she asked, catching her son by surprise.

“Uh, well…Carley did,” Brooks replied. Then he quickly added, “But that verse isn’t talking about sisters.”

“Oh, I think it includes them,” said Dad. “The phrase ‘a brother is born

for adversity’ means that God gave us siblings to be there to help us when trouble comes.”

Mom chimed in. “All brothers and sisters argue now and then, but you should learn to appreciate each other in spite of that. God wants brothers and sisters to love and support each other—in individual families and also in God’s family.”

Dad nodded. “The Bible says Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. He made us all part of His family so we could love and care for one another and offer help in hard times.” Dad grinned. “So you two should love and help each other because you’re siblings in two families—ours and God’s.”

Brooks’ eyes twinkled. “Hey, Carley, I’m gonna have an awful hard time tonight getting all the trash out to the road so it will be ready for garbage pickup tomorrow!”

“Yes, you are!” said Carley. Then she grinned. “Okay. I’ll help you.”

-Sara L. Nelson

How About You?

Do you appreciate your siblings? God gave them to you so you could love and care for each other and help one another through hard times. If you trust in Jesus and they do too, they’re also your brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank God for your brothers and sisters—both in your family and in His family. They’re an important part of your life.

Today’s Key Verse:
Proverbs 17:17 A brother [or sister] is born to help in time of need. (NLT)

Today’s Key Thought:

Appreciate your brothers and sisters