Because of God's best gift ever we should give our best gift.
Genesis 4:1-5 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, "With the LORD's help, I have produced a man!"
2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground.
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD.
4 Abel also brought a gift--the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift,
5 but He did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
Imagine living in paradise and then having it taken from you, then imagine having to explain that to your children, they will probably have a difficult time understanding why you were not content with what you had.
When Adam and Eve told their children about the good old days there wasn't any chance that they could exaggerate or stretch the truth. Their home in the garden with daily visits from God was the best but contentment wasn't their greatest attribute.
It is difficult for us to understand how good it was to live in a world without the terrible effects of sin, Cain would have to struggle with the weeds that would grow in the middle of his crops and Abel would have to protect his livestock from the wild animals.
The boys learned that because of sin God required an offering as a part of their worship. They were required to sacrifice the best gift that they had earned from their labor. One of them brought the perfect gift and the other offered a gift that was less than the best.
Just like their parents, Cain and Abel both knew the right thing to do, but there was still the opportunity to exercise their will and do the wrong thing. The condition of their heart and their attitude toward God was reflected in their gift giving.
If God gives you a chance to fix something wouldn't you just do it?
Genesis 4:6-7 "Why are you so angry?" the LORD asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."
God let Cain know that he needed to change his attitude and he gave him the opportunity to do so but Cain ignored God's advice. Cain didn't offer God a satisfactory gift and he didn't appreciate the undeserved grace from God to make things right.
Cain decided that he loved his sin more than God and instead of being grateful for grace he complained about the severity of his punishment. Cain thought that he should be the one that gets to make the rules. (Genesis 4:13)
Back to my question: If God talks to you and gives you a chance to fix something wouldn't you just do it? Don't answer too quick, the Bible is full of examples of God giving and man rejecting, it is the underlying theme of God's word. Over and over again God gives his best and we don't appreciate it.
The good news is that God has told us what is wrong and how to fix it!
Romans 3:21-23 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
God didn't remain silent, just as he let Cain know how to make things right, he has let us know as well. God spoke to Cain and he was ignored, he spoke to Israel through the Old Testament prophets and he was ignored, and he still speaks to us today and we ignore him the same as the rest of mankind before us. (1 Samuel 8:7 / Isaiah 66:4 / John 12:48 / 1 Thessalonians 4:8)
The gospel is the answer for everything that is wrong with this world. God cared enough to send his very best but just like Cain we get to decide to accept the gift or reject it. God has made it crystal clear and extremely easy to make things right and enjoy a peaceful relationship with him but we refuse to accept his gift of grace and mercy.
What kind of gift do I give? Too often it isn't my best gift.
Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
I need to learn from the best how to be a better gift giver. I am just like Cain, I don't like to admit that I am a terrible gift giver, I tend to give God less than the best gift even though I know how to please him.
Sometimes I give him my time but it is only after everything else is done and I am too tired. Sometimes I give him my spare change instead of giving financially with generosity. Sometimes I use my talents for ministry but often my abilities are used to serve myself.
I need to follow God's example and give myself completely to him. How can I dare give him anything less? I need to show God how much he means to me by what I give back to him.
Have you accepted what God says is wrong with your relationship with him? Have you done what he requires to repair your relationship?
