Genesis 4:3-4 Time passed. Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval.  

The first two children born on Earth were Cain and Abel. Both men presented offerings to God. God regarded Abel’s sacrifice with favour, but Cain’s offering failed to please Him. 

They both brought sacrifices to God. God liked Abel’s sacrifice very much but was dissatisfied with Cain’s. 

Out of anger and jealousy over God’s acceptance of Abel’s sacrifice, Cain murdered his brother. This brutal act of fratricide clearly demonstrated his malevolent character. And that is precisely the reason why God did not accept his sacrifice: he did not live within the will of God. 

Jim Bakker was a world-famous television evangelist whose ministry successfully reached millions with the Gospel. However, beneath the surface of his outward success, his personal life suffered severe moral and spiritual collapse. While he performed great works publicly, his inward relationship with God had become hollow and compromised. 

Money dominated his life, and he went to prison for fraud. After his prison sentence, he realised that he had worked for God’s blessing without stopping to look at God Himself. He learned that God does not seek our sacrifices, but our sincere hearts, just like with Cain and Abel. 

A relationship with God is not passive; it is a covenantal partnership that demands our active engagement.  Remember: our default is to do wrong, just like Cain did. When things don’t go right, we try to sort them out ourselves. Often with catastrophic consequences. 

We must make sure that nothing blocks the pipe. Nothing should hinder the flow of our relationship with God. We must lay our wrongdoings before God, so that we can start again with a clean slate. Then we learn not to become discouraged and angry like Cain. 

Remember: God is always present, ready to have an intimate relationship with us. He is waiting for us. We must actively commit to cultivating inward purity and ensure that our outward behaviour and works consistently reflect the moral standards acceptable to God. 

Prayer
Father, I long for an intimate relationship with You. I know that my actions sometimes wreck my relationship with You. Holy Spirit, help me to get rid of my default, so that the Father would like to see me … 

Questions
What is God-worthy in your offering today?
Where does jealousy or anger still sit inside you?
Which step cleanses your heart before God? 

Now do this
Ask God to show you your heart. Is there perhaps something dishonest or bitter in your heart that He wants to clean out?
Do something small but genuine for someone without seeking recognition. Show that your heart is in line with God’s, not with self-interest.
Start your day with honesty. Tell God how you really feel and ask Him to motivate you to live with a sincere heart.