Christian Family Services Ministry

12-7-2020 – A Word to the Wise – Sometimes what we see influences what we believe, however:

In Genesis 4 we have the story of Cain and Abel and how Cain kills his brother. As you read the story you might get the impression that Cain was angry over God not accepting his offering. Now I have heard it said that this had something to do with the type of offering. I do not think so.

In fact pictures of Cain killing Abel with a stone can be misleading. But I will return to that later.

In I John 3:12 John states that Cain was evil (not in killing his brother) but his deeds or life style was evil even before this. The way of thinking over time finally led to destroying Abel. So it is not the type of offering or even the single act of murder, it was his manner of life.

Moreover, the Greek here is important. John does not use a typical word for murder. The word used by John is an intense variation most often used to kill an animal by cutting the throat. Now all the pictures I have seen of this is Cain hitting Abel with a rock. What John may be inferring is that Cain actually cut his brother’s throat. Moreover, this on Cain’s part is a premediated act he spent time thinking about it planning it preparing for it.

If this is correct that it is Cain’s manner of life then considered this God looks with distain on tithes, or gifts offered to him from a person walking in sin.

A person cannot be having an affair, or stealing, lying, or any number of other evil deeds on a regular basis and expect the Lord to accept anything from his hand. One cannot live an immoral life and expect the Lord to accept anything. The Lord may well get very angry with the gifts presented with this kind of heart.