3-5 Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk. (The Message)
When I read this story of Cain and Abel I have to admit that at first glance it doesn't seem fair at all. Why would God choose one offering over another? Weren't both offerings brought with good intentions and given freely, if so why was Abel's gift liked but apparently not Cains?
There seem to be a couple of clues that might help us understand this in a deeper way.
- Abel brings the first of what he has. When you bring something that is first you do so without knowing how the rest of things are going to turn out. Abel didn't know if the other animals would be born healthy but even so he brought what was best and not what was left.
- Cain brought an offering from amongst everything he had. He picked not what he would miss most or was the best in bringing his offering.
- Cain saw the offering as a competition and thought that he had lost.
- Cain chose not to look at his relationship with God but rather took his disappointed out on his brother.
All of these responses can be our responses as well. It isn't always comfortable in examining the offerings we bring to God, however when we refuse to be honest with ourselves and God in what we give and why we are the one's that lose out.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- Have you ever received a gift that you could tell was not thoughtfully considered? How did it make you feel?
- When you want someone to know how much they mean to you how do you try to express that feeling?
- Do you give to God like Abel from the first of what you have or like Cain from the rest of what you have?
- How might you become more like Abel and less like Cain?
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