Offering?

For 2021, I am reading through the Bible with the Bible Project-Biblical Storyline Reading Plan on the YouVersion App. This devotional will follow along with the daily reading.

Today's reading is: Genesis 4-7

What do you give God who has everything?

What did Cain get wrong about worship?

In Genesis 4:5, God had no regard for Cain's offering.  I don't know what was wrong with Cain's offering. I do know that Cain's attitude about God was quite a bit different than this attitude I read about in Godric by Frederick Buechner:

"God was the cause, for he and I were like a couple newly wed.  I ever spoke my love to him.  I bared my heart for him to cleanse.  I sought to please him any way I could, and since there were no riches I could give to him whose coffers hold the sun and moon, I'd give instead by taking from myself. 

Elric taught me this.  The fire that I didn't build for heat, the wool for warmth I went without, the food I didn't eat—all these were like the trinkets that a man gives to a maid.  More precious still, I gave him all the cheer I might have had with other mortals like myself.  Sitting by a flaming hearth with bowls of broth and talk of times gone by, how we’d have laughed the winter wind to shame!  And yet, instead, I gave it like a bright and fiery gem for God to pin upon his gown or deck some starless corner of the sky. "

It could not matter what material the offering was made of. God owns all the materials anyway. Including me! Really, what I find in Cain is that his offering came with expectations. I do this, and You honor me. God has a very different concern for Cain. 

Genesis 4:6-7 NASB - Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 

What good is it to be honored when there is sin lurking in you?

Cain had a choice to make in this trial. He could admit that he had darkness in him, or he could remove the brother who made him look bad. I have not killed anyone, but there are plenty of people who seem to be doing a lot better than me. These days, I can just as easily avoid those who make me look bad. 

2 Corinthians 10:12 BSB - We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they show their ignorance.

What do I do instead of comparing people with other people?

1. God made me for a specific purpose. 

Ephesians 2:10 ESV - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

2. God's will for me is good, pleasing, and perfect. 

Romans 12:2 BSB - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

3. God is for me, not against me. I live to be taught by Him.

Isaiah 48:17 CSB - This is what the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your benefit, who leads you in the way you should go.

4. I work whole-heartedly for the Lord, not for people.

Colossians 3:23 NIV - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

5. I give God praise and confess His goodness in my life.

Hebrews 13:15 NLT - Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.