Are You More Like Cain or Abel?

"Now Adam slept with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When the time came, she gave birth to Cain, and she said, "With the Lord's help, I have brought forth a man!" Later she gave birth to a second son and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. At harvesttime Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected. "Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked him. "Why do you look so dejected? Gen 4:1-6 (NLT)

The two sons of Adam and Eve came to worship God. It is clear from the Scripture that neither of these men had forgotten his Creator. It seemed logical that Cain, a tiller of the ground (farmer) would bring something from his crop; and that Abel, a shepherd, would bring from his flock. Why, then, was God displeased with Cain's offering?

I think by this Scripture, we can see the importance that God places on worship. Worship must not be just what we want to do to honor God, but what God has asked us to do to honor Him.

We are not really told in this Scripture why Cain's offering of worship was rejected by God. We do know that Abel gave of his "firstfruits" meaning of his very best. Perhaps Cain held something back and gave just enough to get him by--or so he thought. Maybe Abel's heart was filled with joy and Cain's was a little bitter--being put out that he had to give something. Maybe Cain felt he was giving only because he was obligated to give. Abel brought so much more than just the newest to the flock--he brought their "fat" portions. What this tells me is that he put quite a bit of care, effort and concern into his offering. He had taken the time to be certain that he was giving to the Lord what the Lord really deserved. Perhaps Cain rushed thru his thought process and just gave from what first entered his mind. We could make a lot of speculations as to why Abel's offering was accepted and Cain's was not. However, I think we would miss the application. How does this story apply to you and I?

Actually, that is for you to answer, but here are some questions that might help you answer it.

1. Do I always give God my best when it comes to worship?
2. Do I prayerfully consider what I can give God?
3. Do I rush thru my worship and give Him what first comes to mind?
4. Do I view my worship as an offering to God?
5. Do I really know who God is in order to give Him my best?

Only you can decide the answers to these questions. But know this: God is interested in your very best. He deserves it! When it is anything but our best (and joyful best at that), we are robbing God. Let's make a commitment to really give God our all, not just our leftovers.