Today's devotional was from Genesis 4 verses 1-16, and I finally understood what verse 3 says.
In the New King James version, verse 3: "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord." (section of verse 4): "Abel brought firstlings of his flock..."
In the New Living Translation, verse 3: "At harvest time Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce." (section of verse 4): Abel brought "several choice lambs from the best of his flock."
The difference is in that little word "an or a." Abel gave from his best, the cream of the crop. Cain was not particular, he didn't care, his thinking was to bring any thing and pass it off as something excellent. It was second best.
By giving less than our best we do not honor God and we do not live by God's principles. We live by our own. We think that our way is always the best way and God should accept that.
And when God does not, what happens?! We react, negatively ... such as in anger. When we can't have our own way and we don't bring our anger under control, sin is the result. In the case of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, and his younger brother, Abel, it brought about death, because Cain killed Abel.
Every action we take has its consequences. If we want to live in God's will, we must walk in fellowship and obedience to Him.
Even when we fall short, God comes to our aid. We give second best, yet we still want Him to protect us. God always gives second chances repeatedly. Always wants what is best for us. Always there showing us the way to go.
How many chances will He give before there are no more? When will we see the error of our ways? When will we give our very very best to the Lord? What is your answer?
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