"In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell." (Genesis 4:3–5, ESV)
The story of Cain and Abel is a fascinating one! In the above text, fully captured in Genesis 4:1-7, we learn that both brothers offered sacrifices to God, but God accepted Abel's sacrifice (a lamb) while rejecting Cain's (crops). In this article, I want to show you why Abel's offering was accepted by God while Cain's was rejected. The reason lies in the heart attitude behind each offering. Abel offered his best, a perfect lamb, with a heart of faith and obedience. Cain, on the other hand, offered crops, which may have been inferior or not his best, with a heart that lacked faith and obedience.
God looks beyond the external and sees the heart's intentions. Abel's sacrifice reflected his trust and devotion to God, while Cain's revealed a lack of commitment and disobedience. This story teaches us that God values our heart attitude and faithfulness more than our external actions or offerings.
Our heart is important to God because it represents our inner self, our deepest thoughts, emotions, and motivations. God desires a personal relationship with us, and our heart is the gateway to that connection. When we serve with a pure heart, we offer ourselves fully to God, and our actions become an expression of our love and devotion.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, God says, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God values our heart because it reveals our:
1. Motivations: Why we serve
2. Intentions: What drives us
3. Attitudes: How we approach service
4. Love: The depth of our devotion
We may learn more from 1 Samuel 16:7, which says, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
This verse highlights the difference between how humans evaluate others and how God evaluates us. We tend to focus on external appearances, like physical features, social status, wealth, or achievements. We judge based on what we can see with our eyes. However, God looks beyond the surface and examines our hearts. He sees our:
* Thoughts
* Motivations
* Intentions
* Desires
* Loyalty
* Faithfulness
God values the inner person, the essence of who we are, beyond external appearances. He desires a heart fully surrendered to Him, a heart that loves and honors Him above all else.
This verse reminds us that God's evaluation of us is not based on superficial standards but on the condition of our hearts. May this truth inspire us to cultivate a heart fully devoted to God!
That's a profound insight! When our hearts are not aligned with God's purposes or our motivations are impure, our labor may not yield the desired fruit. The Bible teaches that God values obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) and that our works are only acceptable to Him if they are done with a pure heart and a right spirit (Matthew 5:23-24, Isaiah 64:6).
It's a sobering reminder to examine our hearts and motives, ensuring that our service and labor are offered with a humble, surrendered heart, seeking God's glory above all else. May our hearts be aligned with His, that our labor may not be in vain! That's why some people labor so hard, yet their reward is lost because their hearts are not right, or not in their labor.
By focusing on our hearts, God can transform us from the inside out, making our service a reflection of His love and grace.
May this insight bless you, and thanks for asking!
Your brother,
Simon Wale Olatunji
March 20, 2024
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