Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4: 2b-7 [NIV]
Why do you think God looked with favour on Abel and not on Cain? Perhaps there is more to it than the fact that one was a meat offering and the other vegetarian – it could have something to do with the attitude of the giver. Some people give in an attitude of worship – recognising that God is worthy of everything. Others give through duty or habit and perhaps don’t really have a right attitude or relationship with God. God told Cain that “he did not do what is right” – I am sure Cain was well aware of how he had offended God.
God instructed them to give the “first fruits” or the “firstborn”, and the offering should be a perfect specimen without defect or blemish. We are to give the best, not the scraps.
Cain is not happy with the rejection he experiences, and in his anger he is in danger of succumbing to sin – and as the rest of Genesis 4 makes clear, it results in the first murder in the bible.
What is your attitude to giving? What effect does rejection and jealousy have on you? Is sin crouching at your door? Have you done what is right in relation to your giving back to God?
Heavenly Father, help us to give our finest and best offering to you. Help us to respect and accept the prompting of your Holy Spirit. When we feel anger, keep us from sin. In Jesus name, Amen.
Dave MacLellan
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