Passage: Genesis 4:1-16
1. Abel cared for the flock and brought to the Lord a better offering, the first born of the flock.
2. Cain was a farmer and brought from the fruit of the ground.
3. Because God regarded Abel’s offering above Cain’s offering, Cain became angry and killed Abel. Cain was then cursed from the ground and it would not yield a harvest for him.
Personalize
The thought comes to mind, “Does God consider cattlemen over farmers and meat over vegetables?”. This is the wrong question. The question should be, “What was the condition of their heart and their motives?”. The answer is found in the heart condition of the one giving the offering. Abel revealed his full commitment to the Lord by giving Him the first born of the flock. The first was the ultimate gift and the sign of full ownership. The Lord owned it all and Abel gave the first to the Lord. On the other hand Cain reveals his heart condition and motive for his giving by how he responds to the Lord.
Cain becomes angry that Abel’s offering was considered above his own. This anger surfaced and led to the murder of his brother Abel. The anger reveals the motive behind his gift. It was not to glorify or honor the Lord. His gift was given to exalt himself and to receive personal honor and recognition. His offering was selfishly given which is revealed in his uncontrollable anger. Cain’s action led to the worst consequence. The ground that he tilled and planted would no longer yield to him. The one thing he trusted to give him value was now cursed.
In a recent blog, Seth Godin writes:
“More often than not, the selfish person is insecure, fearful and filled with doubt. The selfishness springs from his belief that this is his only good idea, his last dollar, his one and only chance to avoid failure. “I need this, not you,” he says, because he truly believes he’s got nothing else going on, no other chance, no hope.
The irony, of course, is that selflessness (not selfishness, its opposite) is precisely the posture that leads to more success. The person with the confidence to support others and to share is repaid by getting more in return than his selfish counterpart.”
Link: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2012/02/the-sad-irony-of-selfishness.html
Prayer
Lord may our motives of service be one of service and love for you and others. May we not seek personal gain in our offerings but may we honor and glorify you.
