SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1245

“Cain and Abel”

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. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So, Cain was very angry, and his face fell. – Genesis 4:3-4

The biblical account of Cain and Abel has several lessons that are relevant and applicable to our lives today. Both Cain and Abel knew God’s directive for offerings. Abel obeyed with a heart of worship, reverence, and thanksgiving, bringing to God the best of the best of his flocks – the fruit of his labor.

Cain, on the hand, went through the motions to grudgingly obey and bring ‘some’ of his crops – probably the damaged and blemished items from his harvest – essentially, the stuff he did not want.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 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 contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7

Cain knew what was right to do and chose not to do it. He knew he acted inappropriately and rather than repent, he directed his displeasure toward his brother. Cain chose to be a victim rather than a victor over his sin and envy gave rise to murder.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – 1 John 5:4

The lesson for us: Worship and giving are a matter of the heart.

And Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. – 1 Samuel 15:22

Bringing tithes and offerings is an act of worship. Some of us tithe in a manner of speaking. Some withhold their tithe, earning interest until the end of the year and pay it in a lump sum in order to benefit from a tax deduction. Others meticulously calculate their tithe to the penny and not a penny more. Still others calculate their tithe on their net income giving the government tax collectors priority over the gross amount that the Lord provided for them. This is not worship.

Again, God is not concerned with the amount – He is concerned with our heart attitude – our faith, reverence, and trust in Him as Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:1-4

The lesson for us: Entitlement leads to envy and envy leads to sin.

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. – Genesis 4:8

The sin of Cain is prevalent in our society today. People want what others have and worked for. They do not want to put the effort in for themselves, so they envy, feel disrespected, and entitled. This is the sin that is ‘crouching at our door’ whose desire is contrary to our spiritual well-being.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

The lesson for us: God is a God of second chances.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. – Genesis 4:9-10

God gave Cain a chance to own up to his sin and repent. Instead, Cain responded in a belligerent and sarcastic manner to the Lord which is indicative of his victim mentality and to where his heart was.

The lesson for us: Sin always has a consequence.

Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:16

In spite of God’s coaching and readiness to forgive, Cain’s heart was hardened, and the consequence of his sin was to be away from the presence of the Lord. This is true of us today. If you feel distant from God’s presence it is not because God abandoned you, it is because you abandoned God and have harbored unrepented sin in your heart.

If you are unsettled in your spirit and feel the void in your heart that only God can fill, search your heart and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit to acknowledge your sin, repent and return to Him.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

The lesson for us: No matter our sin, God’s grace is extended to us.

…Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:10-16

Even in his hardened heart and sinful state, God responded to Cain’s plea and made provision to protect him from being murdered by others.

Conclusion:

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. – Hebrews 11:4

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. – 1 John 3:12

I have often encouraged people not to ‘give’ their tithes and offerings. Rather, we should ‘bring’ them to God. We cannot give what is not ours in the first place. We can, however, cheerfully bring the best of the best of the first fruits that the Lord has provided for us as an offering and an act of faith and trust in Him. We are stewards of His provision, and we worship Him by being faithful stewards administering His gifts to those in need as He directs.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: – 1 Peter 4:10

In addition, we must always seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, learning to be content in whatever circumstances we are in. Envy and its sin consequences cannot take root in the heart of believers with the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in them.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23