Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."
We all remember the account of Cain and Abel. I've often wondered about
the difference in their offerings. The law had not been given at that time
concerning sacrificial offerings, so we cannot use the law as judgment for or
against either of these sons of Adam and Eve. But we will use it in trying to
examine the difference between their offerings. For there is a principle that
should be applied before the law was given, after the law was given, and even
today when the law has been fulfilled by Christ. That principle of heart and
mind tells us that we should always give our best unto the Lord. He gave His
best to us.
Why would I bring that principle into this particular devotion? We look at the
two offerings made by Cain and Abel. Some say God accepted Abel's sacrifice
because the lamb was slain and blood was shed. That is a viable reason and I
won't completely discount it. But in my opinion, there was a little more to be
considered. Let me bring in the account in Genesis. "And in
process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground
an offering unto the LORD. (4) 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." (Genesis 4:3-4) We cannot totally say God
had respect unto Abel because of the blood offering; for Cain was a tiller of
the ground. He was a farmer. We cannot use the law as our only judgment;
yet, under the law God made provision for the feast of the ingathering of the
crops. There was a time when they would bring the first of the sheaves and wave
them before the Lord in thanksgiving.
So, why did God not have respect to Cain's offering? According to our
text today, Cain did not make his offering by faith. When you look at the
Genesis account, we read Cain brought his offering "in the process of time."
Other than the fact God's Word does not tell us Cain offered by faith, we
can know he didn't because he did not bring of the firstfruits of the
harvest. He brought "leftovers" to God. Abel "brought of
the firstlings of his flock." Abel had respect unto the Lord and
brought the best he had. God testifies, even to this day, of the faith of Abel.
God is not calling us to bring him the leftovers of our time and efforts.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1) Our Heavenly Father gave His
very best to us. He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Should we
not give our best efforts to Him?