PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Today, we’re going to talk about giving God our best and checking our hearts when we are tempted otherwise.
In Genesis 4:2-16, we read the account of Abel (who raised livestock) who gave the firstborn of his flock to God.
Abel’s actions pleased God because He was willing to give to God the first and best of what he had.
Cain, on the other hand, was a farmer.
He brought to God “some” of his crops and God rejected Cain’s offering.
God’s rejection wasn’t about what Cain brought, it was because of Cain’s attitude.
The rest of the story is well-known…
In a jealous rage, Cain became the world’s first murderer.
Today though, I want us to focus on God’s warning to Cain before he killed Abel.
Genesis 4:6-7: “The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’”
This is really a “check your heart” reminder for all of us.
God saw the anger in Cain and the potential sin.
In these verses, God warned Cain that he needed to make sure sin didn’t take control of him.
When we allow sin to take control of us, we rob ourselves of future blessings and we also deny God the very best we have to offer.
It boils down to this truth — giving God our best requires humility, but pride causes sin.
This impacts us when we bring a tithe to the church…
Are we giving out of joyful gratitude for all God’s given us?
Or obligation because it’s what’s expected?
Then there are the non-monetary gifts…
Do we give God our first moments of the day?
Do we give Him credit when we complete a big project we’ve prayed about?
Do we give Him credit when he grants healing?
Restored relationships?
Financial windfalls?
Other blessings?
Do we recognize His role in our day-to-day lives?
If we want to follow in Abel’s footsteps, we have to give God our best and our first and as we do that, do it with the spirit of gratitude and ongoing observation of what He is doing in our lives.
Anything less requires us to check ourselves.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Today, as you pray, ask the Holy Spirit to help lead your heart with a genuine desire to honor God with your best from a grateful heart for all He’s done.
If you need a “heart check,” ask the Holy Spirit to help you surrender your pride and approach the Throne of Grace with humility.
Questions to consider:
- Have you offered God your best?
- When the Holy Spirit confronts you about your attitude, do you succumb to humility or pride?
- In what ways does giving God our best honor Him?
One Response
I love this, Denise! Perfect perspective test! ??