Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in the process of time, it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell (Genesis 4:3-5).

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground (Genesis 4:8-10).

Jealousy and envy stem mainly from comparison. We are familiar with that feeling whether it is because someone we know, a partner or close friend pays more attention to someone else or a promotion that you wanted. Many of us have behaved poorly because of these feelings. Usually, it does not lead to murder, but it could.

The results are the same. Irresponsible behavior leads to unintended negative repercussions to self and others. Roger Martin, in his book The Responsibility Virus (2003), describes the issue at the corporate level. There are also lots of scriptures that address this dilemma.

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12).

So, from the very beginning of the Bible (Genesis 4:1-13) to the very end, God’s message has not changed. We are to be our brother’s/sister’s keeper demonstrated by our actions. But not as Cain treated his brother. He didn’t love Abel more than himself. That runs counter to “group think”.

Group-think, the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility. “Theres always a danger of groupthink when two leaders are so alike.” Instead of the Holy Bible, you can watch, listen or read this behavior in the daily media.