First Fruits | Part 1

(Genesis 4:1 – 8 CSB) The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived

and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the LORD’s help.” She

also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain

worked the ground. In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce

as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also presented an offering – some of the

firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The LORD had regard for Abel and his

offering, but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and

he looked despondent. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why

do you look despondent? If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you

do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you

must rule over it.”

When we give to God . . .

1. We should give from what we have.

(Genesis 4:2 – 4) Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of

time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And

Abel also brought an offering – fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.

(1 Peter 4:10) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve

others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

2. We give based on our view of God.

(Genesis 4:3 – 4) In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as

an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering – fat portions from some

of the firstborn of his flock.

(Proverbs 3:9) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.

3. We give based on our attitude towards God.

(Genesis 4:4 – 6) The LORD looks 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. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry?” Why is your face

downcast?”

(Psalm 24:1) The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live

in it.

(Mark 12:41 – 44) Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put

and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich

people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small

copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I

tell you; this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all

gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had

to live on.”

(1 Corinthians 8:12) For if the willingness is there the gift is acceptable according to

what one has, not according to what one does not have.

4. We give God what is right NOT what is left.

(Genesis 4:7) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do

what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule

over it.

(Malachi 1:6 – 8) “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father,

where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says

the LORD Almighty. “It is you priests who show contempt for my name. But you ask,

‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ By offering defiled food on my altar.

But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table is

contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When

you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your

governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD

Almighty.