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What does the Bible say about taking care of siblings?

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The Bible teaches that we should care for our siblings with faithful love, practical help, patience, and a sense of God-given responsibility. Scripture especially calls believers to provide for their own households, warning in 1 Timothy 5:8 against neglecting family needs. Cain's question in Genesis 4:9 exposes the sin of refusing concern for a brother, while Proverbs 17:17 commends steadfast family love. Galatians 6:2 and 1 John 3:16-18 urge us to bear burdens and meet needs in deed and truth, not words alone. Yet Christ teaches in Matthew 12:48-50 that the church is also a spiritual family, so care for siblings should reflect the self-giving love of Christ toward all God's people.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Timothy 5:8

    But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • Genesis 4:9

    Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel, your brother?" He said, "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

  • Proverbs 17:17

    A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.

  • Galatians 6:2

    Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

  • 1 John 3:16-18

    [16] By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. [17] But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? [18] My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

  • Matthew 12:48-50

    [48] But he answered him who spoke to him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" [49] He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, "Behold, my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."

  • Psalms 133:1

    > See how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity!

  • 1 John 4:20-21

    [20] If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

  • Ruth 1:16-17

    [16] Ruth said, "Don't entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; [17] where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried: Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me."

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,

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