REMEMBER CAIN AND HIS OFFERING

Giving offering to God is as old as man. The offering to be considered here is the ones offered by Cain. There are many interpretations of the action of Cain and God's response to his sacrifice. Some said God rejected Cain's sacrifice because it was from fruit. In other words, farmers cannot offer acceptable offering with their produce. Such prejudgement is a contradiction of the Scripture that commands us to give first fruit to God. Jesus uses both animals and fruit to teach about the kingdom of God. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"

Another school of thought believes the sacrifice was bloodless which the reason for rejection was. The implication is that God is bloody. Every sacrifice is an exchange of value; therefore it is not the blood that makes the sacrifice more acceptable. Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

Considering other relevant Bible passage on Cain's offering, it will be discovered that the state of the heart determines God's response rather than substance. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh” ( Hebrew 11:4).

Whatever offering you give without faith is abominable to God. He looks into the heart if you actually honour Him by trusting with all your heart.

An acceptable sacrifice involves the following:

1.     Putting God first in determining what you offer to Him

2.     Giving to God in faith and humility not ostentatiously

3.     The favour of God as supreme over the fatness of offering.

As you offer your sacrifice, remember Cain and his offering. Give your best to God by faith and humility. The Lord shall surely bless you in Jesus name.