The First And Best

‘Afterward the Lord asked Cain, where is your brother? Where is Abel? I don’t know, Cain responded. Am I my brother’s guardian? Gen.4:9

Sometimes when God asks you a question it does not mean He does not know the answer. Some situations we find ourselves in are questions and we must respond the way that God expects. Read Genesis 4:1-10. The first thing that will jump out at you from this passage of scripture is that it is not enough to bring an offering to God. It is not enough to give God an offering anyway you like. When you are bringing God an offering, never forget that God reserves the right to accept or reject that offering. Remember always to whom you are bringing the offering. Because an accepted offering is an accepted person, and a rejected offering is a rejected person. Cain thought it was just enough to give an offering but God says it is not just enough to bring an offering. God is God and He must be honored. It is the principle of priority. God must be honored. It is also the foundation that guides the principle of first fruits – God must be honored. ‘When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift-the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift’ Gen.4:3-4. Cain decided to give God some of his stock but Abel on the other hand decided that it was not just enough to give God some of his stock. Abel decided to give God the first and the best. Big difference! God rejected Cain and accepted Abel. David also understood this principle. If you get this principle, your life with God will be enviable. David said ‘how can I offer to God that which does not cost me?’ Any one that walks with God knows that God is a God of sacrifices. God smells sacrifices. You will never hear me say if your neighbor does not have an offering put some money in his hands because my question is what is the cost to him? A lot of us have the same attitude Cain had. We do things without putting in our best and we believe that God should be happy with it. My question to you today is He is the Almighty God, is that the best you can give to Him? Or will you learn from Abel and bring your first and your best?

Thought: The Word of God says we should do all things as unto God. What has been your attitude towards the works of your hands so far?