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.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Our opening Scripture tells us about the sacrifices or offerings of Cain and Abel which they gave to God. One question that usually comes up when discussing Cain and Abel is why Abel’s sacrifice was better than Cain’s. We are never really given a direct answer to that question. Some will say it is because Cain offered something from the field while Abel offered an animal from his flock. But later in the Old Testament, God commanded sacrifices of both the field and the flock. There may be a hint in Genesis 4:3-4 that may give us the answer: “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 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”. What seems to be the difference between their offerings? It sounds like Abel was more selective in giving God his best, the fat portions from the firstborn of his flock, while Cain just gave God something that just get it done without an eye for quality or the thought of a bigger sacrifice. Have you ever done something for God just to get it done without really thinking about giving Him your best?
Hebrews 11:4 tells us that by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Faith always honours God by putting Him and His Word first. Abel honoured God by giving Him the fat portions from the firstborn of His flock. He had an eye for quality because He wanted to honour God with His offerings. When you honour God from your heart with your offering, that act of faith makes your offering better. Faith makes a better offering. Beloved, God wants our best, not our leftovers. He deserves our best because the earth is His and the fullness thereof, the world and everyone that dwells in it (Psalms 24:1). While most of us don’t herd flocks today, yet we can learn a lot from Abel’s offering. Think about how you can give God your best today. How can you give Him your best today, in career, business, family, ministry, Church service, and in your offerings? God deserves your best. Give it to Him in honour of Him, for that’s what faith demands. Hallelujah!
MY SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
In the Name of Jesus Christ, I give God my best today and forever in honour of Him, because He deserves my very best. I honour God in faith and in my walk, considering His Word all the days of my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
Further Meditation:
Proverbs 3:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.