Acceptable Offerings

Genesis 4:3-8 – And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Though Cain’s offering had nothing to do with his brother’s, he became angry. God provided Cain with an opportunity to provide a respectful offering, he only needed to do well. However, instead of desiring to do well to change how God viewed his next offering, he sought to kill his brother out of his anger.

1. Talented people are all around us. When we look around us everyday, there are people that accomplish respectful work. Through their gifts, talents, and purity of heart, we witness acceptable offerings, service, and work of others. Instead of looking at others’ gifts, talents, and work with jealousy, anger, and envy, we would strive to do our every best with the materials, gifts, talents, and work we can.

2. Change your definition of quality work and service. God did not tell Cain that he needed to provide firstlings of a flock as his brother. He only needed to do well. Cain’s ‘doing well’ could have encompassed the quality of the offerings he had as a tiller of the ground. Maybe Cain only needed to provide the first fruits of his harvest in order for God to consider his offering as respectful.

3. Be the best YOU possible! Maybe we’re not as good as someone else in a particular area. Maybe you don’t have the money or resources to provide something grand (in the world’s view) to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1-4). Instead of looking on others with anger and jealousy, do the best you can with what you have. You don’t have to mimic someone else’s gift or talent. Consider the poor widow at the treasury:

Mark 12:41-44 – And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

In everything you do, YOU are to do it unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31). As long as you do the every best you can for God, you can rest easy even though those around you may not approve. Live to please God not people.

^{Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/DavidMcGovern}