How many times have you read the story in Genesis about Cain and Abel bringing two sacrifices to God, one that was pleasing to God and one that displeased Him? Maybe you even wondered why God was so hard on Cain, especially since he did bring something. But have you ever stopped to wonder if you are more like Cain or Abel?
It might be easier to think about the story in comparison to your life today if it had been about Jane and Mary, two sisters instead of two brothers. Or maybe it’s just the fact that it is in the Old Testament that we often fail to see its application in the present. But the question to ask yourself is, “Do I bring God the sacrifice He requests or what I want to give Him?”
A Closer Look at Cain
The passage about Cain and Abel’s sacrifice to the Lord is quite short. It appears in Genesis 4:2-6. Very little is said about the instructions for the sacrifice. The Bible does tell us what Abel and Cain did for a living. Abel cared for the sheep and Cain worked the ground. Each man brought a portion of his livelihood as his sacrifice.
The Bible says that God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice but displeased with what Cain brought. Too many theologians have speculated on why God wasn’t happy with Cain’s sacrifice. Perhaps it was his attitude, or the quality of his sacrifice. He may have even been directed by God to bring something other than the fruits of his harvest.
The reason for God’s displeasure is not important to us. Our focus should be on the fact that Cain obviously brought what he wanted rather than following God’s direction. To learn more about this story and its relevance to our lives today, you can also look at the single verse in Hebrews 11 that mentions Abel. It says that by faith, Abel’s sacrifice was better than Cain’s. When do we offer something to God that takes faith?
What Our Sacrifice Says About Us
When you go shopping for a gift for someone, do you buy what you’d like to receive or do you pick out something that would please the recipient? Do you choose something you know would make them happy because you know their likes and dislikes? That same attitude should be shown in our service to God. It should be a sacrifice we know He wants to receive because we’ve taken the time to develop a relationship with Him and understand who He is.
Rather than giving God what we think He should want, shouldn’t we take the time to get to know Him and what He expects from us? And then, shouldn’t we step out in faith to present that sacrificial offering to Him? After all, He will bless that gift far better than one that we bring on our own.
