Genesis 4 contains the details of the first recorded murder in mankind’s history. How quickly sin has invaded the minds and hearts of God’s special creation! In His desire to have a relationship with a creature made in His own image, God, in His sovereignty, chose to grant us free will. We have the freedom to decide if we will obey God and surrender to His will or hold fast to our own stubborn desires.

Cain is the perfect illustration of what happens when we choose wrongly.

After being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Eve gives birth to two sons: Cain and Abel. Cain is a farmer—a tiller of the soil—and Abel is a shepherd—a keeper of flocks. Their actions show that God had given instructions and parameters for the kind of offerings He desired, and indeed, the idea of worshipping by making an offering was certainly His idea.

Both Cain and Abel brought the fruit of their labors and presented them to God, but only Abel’s offering was accepted. God rejected what Cain brought, and this caused him great distress. He was angry, bitter, and jealous.

Why did God reject Cain’s offering? Some would suggest that because he did not offer a “blood” sacrifice, it wasn’t acceptable, but I don’t think that’s the case. As the Old Testament unfolds, we are given more details on the sacrificial system, and grain, wheat, bread, and the fruit of the harvest are all included on various occasions. I believe God wants us to look not at what Cain brought with his hands but at the condition of his heart.

In answer to Cain’s angry response, God tells him, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7).

God saw something in Cain’s heart that offended Him.

Was he proud of what he had produced?

Did he offer less than the best of his harvest?

Had he given God the leftovers, not the first fruits?

Whatever it was, when God challenged him, calling him to change and repentance, his heart rebelled in anger. And sadly, that anger spilled over into bitter jealousy and hate, resulting in the first act of murder.

Fast forward to the New Testament, and Paul explains the heart of the issue. By the works of the Law, no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). And again, we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law (Romans 3:28).

Outward obedience to God’s law—good works done by human effort—can never replace what God truly desires: a heart fully surrendered and transformed by His power. Righteousness can never be attained, no matter how many “sacrifices” we give, if our hearts are filled with pride, jealousy, or self-sufficiency. If we are to be accepted as holy, we must receive holiness as a gift, and make our offerings out of gratitude, not obligation.

I must confess that even after years of walking in faith, it’s easy to revert to a relationship of duty and good works. It’s not easy for any of us to open our minds and hearts for a daily inspection by the One who sees who we really are and what we really think.

Here’s the good news…God says it’s possible! If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?

Acknowledging our pride and failures and relying on the mercy, grace, and goodness of our loving Father, who desires to give us His righteousness through Jesus Christ, His Son, is the right thing to do.

Let us make it our goal this year to think more about our hearts and less about what our hands can produce.

No other offering will do.

Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.