How do you approach life? Are you strong-willed and self-directed. Then you might be a Cain. I was shocked when I was first confronted with the idea that I might be more like Cain than Abel in my worship of God.
Don’t I love Jesus? Don’t I serve in my church? Don’t I regularly attend church services? Don’t I support my church financially? My answer is yes to all of these. But, am I really more like Cain than Abel?
Genesis 4 tells us that Cain brought his offering as a duty while Abel gave his best.
In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. Genesis 4:3-4a
Cain was performing his duty. He did not follow God’s directions to offer the best he had to offer. Instead Cain gave something in the manner he wanted to give it. In other words, Cain was unwilling to worship as God commanded. Cain was self-directed and self-important while Abel humbly submitted to God’s instructions.
God used the offering incident as an opportunity to draw Cain to repentance and to warn him of the dangers of dabbling in sin.
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it. Genesis 4:7
Cain chose to allow jealousy to rule his unrepentant heart.
As you worship God, do you offer him your best or your leftovers? What place does God hold in your life? Don’t just give a quick answer. Examine your heart and your actions.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. Proverbs 3:9a