THE NEXT RIGHT THING
Kendra Intihar
Today's Scripture: “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.” Genesis 4:3-5, ESV
Theme: To us offerings may look the same, but God sees true sacrifice and acceptable offerings.
(UN)ACCEPTABLE OFFERINGS
The story of Cain and Abel has always been a tough one for me because Scripture never really tells us why the Lord accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. God is a much better parent than I am, yet if two of my children each brought me an unsolicited gift of any kind, even if I perceived one to be better than the other, I would be enthusiastically grateful.
Bible commentaries, biblical scholars, pastors, and other resources such as Jewish Midrashic texts have attempted to fill in the gap in this story—often with speculation about how Abel’s gift was a firstfruit and Cain’s, therefore, must not have been. But we won’t know for sure unless and until we have the opportunity to make inquiries about it when we finally see the Lord face-to-face. I’ve got a whole list of questions for Him, and this one is certainly among them!
GENTLE CORRECTION
I believe that Scripture was written just as God intended, including these snags we hit in the text where we’re just not sure what God was up to. And since I believe that those are purposeful, then I must also believe that God was right in judging Cain and Abel’s gifts the way that He did. God is both a good father and a righteous judge.
Regardless of the “why” behind this judgment, there are a few things we can know for certain about Cain’s offering. For one thing, God saw that Cain was downcast after His disapproval, and in Genesis 4, He asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” What a wonderful, gentle correction from the Lord. It’s the way I would hope to talk to my own children—“Hey kiddo… you’re letting your anger/disappointment/frustration get in the way of being the person you were designed to be.” God is urging Cain to lay down his anger and bring the offering he’s capable of bringing. He doesn’t need to be angry; God loves him. He just needs to do the next right thing.
WHERE IS YOUR HEART?
Of course, we know that Cain succumbed to his insecurities. Instead of trusting God’s good plan, he let anger get the best of him, and the story ended tragically with Cain murdering his brother Abel. As horrific as that is, I believe that’s actually the part of the story that is most relatable for us—succumbing to our insecurities and thereby dishonoring God. We all have a past. We all know what it’s like to mess up. And we all know what it’s like to either choose to wallow in it or to choose the path that would be the “next right thing.”
When we bring an offering to the Lord, just as God did with Cain and Abel, He can see right through to our hearts. God knows when we’re giving begrudgingly, when we’re giving with a spirit of anger, when we desire recognition or accolades, and when we are not representing His generosity with our gifts. I admit that I have personally offered half-hearted gifts to God a thousand times, but God, in His goodness, continues to gently remind me that I’m capable of more—that the posture of my heart matters to Him.
Thank God, His mercies are new every morning. If you, like me (and like Cain) struggle to bring your best before the Lord, then this is good news for us both. God loves you just as much in your moments of failure and inadequacy as He does when you’re at your very best. He beckons us in those moments to just do the next right thing.
Make it Personal: What Is your motivation when you bring an offering to the Lord? If you are facing insecurities or frustration, as Cain was, ask God to help you trust His plan. He is gently inviting us to always bring our best and to align our hearts with His purposes.
Pray: Lord, we are the tenants and workers in Your good land, and we know You are owed the firstfruits of the work of our hands. Make us cheerfully generous, and let us be people of abundance who bring only our best gifts and attitudes to honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Genesis 4:1-16
Weekly Memory Verse: “But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10, NLT