“But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile.” – Genesis 4:4-5 (AMP)

In the early years of human existence, after the fall of man, two brothers, descendants of Adam, decided to put in an effort of worship by giving offering to God. Worship has always been about giving. There are many things to give as a means of worshipping God and this is what these brothers did. Their knowledge of God must have stemmed from their father and mother, Adam and Eve, who knew God and how He relates with man. And by this time, the knowledge of good and evil had already been passed to them, and so they know what is good and what is not.

Cain, being the eldest of the two, brought offering to God from the fruit of the ground because he was a farmer and Abel brought an offering of the finest firstborn of his flock for he was a shepherd but something devastating happened. Abel and his offering was accepted but Cain and his offering was not accepted, and this caused him to be sad and angry.

Every giving comes from the heart but the posture of the heart matters a lot in worship. Checking the progression of the story, what God first had respect unto was Abel before his offering was mentioned. This means that God accepted his person before his offering. Many people must have thought that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was the finest but before that, Abel was in good term with God. His heart posture made God accept him.

But Cain? His heart was not right and that affected his offering. Giving massively to God is good and rewarding but what kind of life do you live? What is the content of your heart? One whose heart is not right cannot bring an acceptable offering or to a purpose say that one whose heart is not right cannot worship God acceptably. Before you measure your offering or gifts in worship, consider the state of your heart.

What makes your songs, prayers, acts of service and many other things you do as forms of worship acceptable is the condition of your heart. What you should pay more attention to is your heart. Let nothing make your heart impure and unacceptable before God.

Practical Application: Have you ever tried to worship God and your heart seemed far away from Him even in worship? What is the greatest gift you think you have ever given God and did you think it was counted as worthy before God?

Confession: My heart is made right. I declare that no seed of evil germinate in me. I uproot every bitterness and sinfulness in me. My heart is humble and graceful.

Related Scripture: Genesis 4:1-8

Bible Reading: Acts 5