Saturday, October 2, 2010

Cain and Abel's Sacrifices to God

Are Your Offerings Acceptable to God?
Gen. 4:3-7
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:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Your offerings can be unacceptable unto God. Your offerings and tithes are to be Holy unto the Lord, as an act of worship. The money you give represents you, just like the sacrifices that were offered in the Old Testament. God wants you to give to him freely. He wants you to give from your heart because of your love for him. He doesn't want you to feel pressured into giving, because he loves cheerful givers. (2 Cor. 9:7)

Cain's offering was of the fruit of the grund. Abel's offering was the firstlings of his flock, and the fat thereof. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable, and it was accounted unto him as righteousness. (1 John 3:2) It was also offered in faith. (Heb. 11:4) It was sort of a primeval picture of the atoning death of Christ. It was an atonement offering, and Cain's offering was a Thank offering.

The Lord respected Abel's offering, and not Cain's. It wasn't Cain's best offering. Cain became angry and his countenance fell. God accepted Abel's sacrifice because he was righteous, and because he offered it in faith. It was the right kind of offering to do at the time, and it pleased God. If you want God to accept your offerings and tithes, make sure you have confessed all your sins unto Him, and repent. 

Do you give God your best offerings? These scriptures show that God doesn't accept all of our offerings. Do you put God first in your giving? Do you give to him willingly, without being forced to? Do you have the right motives in your giving?

Today, we don't sacrifice animals or follow the old laws of the Old Testament, because Jesus Christ fullfilled the law when he died on the cross for us. Today, we give money to support God's work. Our money represents us. When we give to God, it is supposed to be from a loving heart. God loves a cheerful giver.

When you plant seeds for God, give him your best offerings. He will multiply them back to you.
Luke 6:38:
 "Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Do you need for God to bless you in your finances?
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Give God your best, and then you can expect the Best from Him. A lot of people stop giving to God when they are having trouble in their finances. That isn't the way to get God to move for you. Take that step of faith, and give the devil a black eye by showing him that you believe God.

Also, search your heart and ask God to show you if there is anything in your heart and life that you need to take care of. Unforgiveness in your heart can hinder your harvest in your finances, and in the rest of your needs being met. Finally, give in faith, knowing that God "will open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that you won't be able to receive." (Mal. 3:8)

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