Cain's dilemma

Cain was the first son of Adam who was mentioned in the bible. It is not certain if Adam had other children before Cain. But let's just assume that he was the first child.

Cain was a tiller of the ground or in otherwords, a farmer.

Cain had a brother named Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, what we might refer to as a rancher.

The two brothers gave offerings of their labors to God. Cain would offer grain, fruit, or vegetables that he had grown in his field and Abel offered some of the firstborn sheep of his flock. Over time, things must have changed in Cain's offerings.

The bible mentions that Abel offered the firstborn from his flock, but it does not say what Cain offered besides the fruits of his labor from the ground. This should make us think of what we offer to God.

Abel's offering was given to God before anything else. That is evident from the passage of his flock's firstborn sheep. Cain on the otherhand, must have had other thoughts and motives for his offerings.

Perhaps Cain gave his best at first but maybe he slacked off and started offering what was left on the barn floor. What comes to mind with this is all the dirt, mold, or chaffe that is left on the bottom of the pile.

God had respect for Abel's offerings but not Cain's. Was Able's offering more genuine and willing as opposed to Cain's who only gave his second best or less? This reflects our society today. We don't always give our best. We stop shy of giving unless we have an abundance. Some people don't even give when they are able to.

Cain grew angry at his brother because God had more respect for Abel. Abel is then murdered by Cain because of Cain's jealousy and rage.

As you read this and ponder, ask yourself, why did Cain lash out at Abel? What infuriated Cain so much that he had to take it out on his brother?

Many of us are like Cain. We feel that we are being treated unfairly and someone else is getting all of the credit or breaks. What we do not think about is who's fault it really is.

Look in a mirror and you will see who's fault it is. We accept that we have given our best. Then we feel cheated when we get passed over. Do we really give our best or do we give whatever we have left over? Do we keep the best for ourselves and offer the broken pieces to our neighbor?