Genesis 4:3-4
v3. “In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”
This is a famous passage from scripture. After Cain brings his offering that the Lord does not find favor with, his face is down cast. God speaks to Cain and says, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” Then he convinces his brother Abel to go out in the field with him where he attacked him and killed him.
What does this passage say about worship? Abel’s offering was a beautiful act of worship in which God found favor. Hebrews 11 describes Abels offering: “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.” It was an acceptable sacrifice that pleased the Lord, and yet, It got him killed. We would like to believe that our worship would usher in God’s protection. But Abels offering offered him no protection and no extra blessing. Similarly our worship, our giving, our good works and our acts of kindness, do not gaurentee our safety or God’s protection.
Worship isn’t prescription for prosperity, but rather a privilege of the sons and daughters of the Most High. We worship not because we will receive from God, but rather because we can present and offering to a holy God who is worthy of our best offering; one that he will accept and find pleasing. Our best offering, offered in faith is an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
Are our motives for worship pure? Are we offering the types of offerings by faith that will be accepted?
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