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Genesis 4:2-7
Later she gave birth to his
brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain
worked the soil. In the course of time Cain
brought some of the fruits of the soil as an
offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat
portions from some of the firstborn of his
flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and
his offering, but on Cain and his offering he
did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry,
and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to
Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face
downcast? If you do what is right, will you not
be accepted? But if you do not do what is right,
sin is crouching at your door; it desires to
have you, but you must master it."
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March 1
What is Right
If you know the story of
Cain and Abel, you know that this doesn't end
well. But what was the source of the
problem? Both Cain and Abel brought forth
a sacrifice to the Lord. But note the
attitude that was behind the giving of the
sacrifices.
Abel brought the best of
his flock while Cain brought some of his fruits
of the soil. God looked with favor on
Abel's sacrifices but had a warning for Cain.
Cain tried to get away with giving the least he
could but it wasn't acceptable to God.
God asks for the best from
us, not our leftovers. God responds to our
worship according to how we respond to Him.
If we give God our leftovers, what right do we
have to expect the best from Him?
But if we do what is
right, then we know that God will be pleased
with us. What is right? Abel gave
the best that he had to God. We don't make
animal sacrifices today but it means that we
give to the church our time, our talents, and
our tithe.
Micah 6:8 explains what is
right as well. "And what does the LORD
require of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." If we
do these things, we'll be doing what is
acceptable. |
