A Gift to be Accepted…

This past Sunday at ESCC we spoke about our call to bring our gifts to Jesus.  And in the process was a challenge to work towards putting God first in our finances.  In today’s Scripture reading (for those who started on Sunday), we find in Gen. 4 that Cain brought an unacceptable sacrifice to the Lord.  Note  that it wasn’t that he brought no sacrifice, but the sacrifice was inadequate.

it says in Gen. 4:3-4:

“In the course of time Cain presented some of the land's produce as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also presented an offering-some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.”                  Genesis 4:3-5 CSB

So Abel gives some of the best from what the Lord has given him, and Cain brings some of the left overs… and God accepts Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s.  And what is Cain’s response?  It isn’t humbly coming back to God asking for forgiveness for his offering, but anger at God for not accepting his seconds.  

From here Cain takes the next step down the chain of sin, and instead of making things right, he commits further sin by killing his brother.  Why?  Because he was unwilling to give God what He is due.  

I wonder how many times we give God our seconds and then get upset when we aren’t getting the response from Him that we desire.  I wonder how many times He is saying to us, “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted?”

Lord, our desire is to put You first in our lives.  But, if we’re honest, this is really hard to do.  We ask You to help us bring You offerings that are acceptable in Your eyes.  Help us to begin to make whatever adjustments You would have us make so that this would be a reality.  Not so that we can get more “stuff” from You, but as a sign that our hearts are in the right place (or moving in the right direction).