May 7th-Morning | SIBLING RIVALRY

1 John 4:20 if a man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? Rivalry is common among siblings. The first brothers, Cain and Abel were not exempted, to the point that Cain killed his brother. The foundation of rivalry is envy. A story was told about an old man who met two travelers along the road. One was greedy, materialistic, and covetous; the other was jealous and envious. When they came to a cross road the old man said he would give them a gift before they separate. Here’s the gift: the first wisher would have his wish fulfilled and the other man would get a double portion of what the first had asked. So each waited for the other to wish first until the greedy man took his fellow by the throat, saying he would choke him to death unless he made his wish. The envious man said, alright, I will make my wish. I wish to be made blind in one eye.”  Immediately he lost the sight of his eye—and his companion went blind in both eyes.” 1 John 4:21“God himself has commanded that we must love not only him but our Christian brothers and sisters, too. The cure for envy and rivalry is love.