“Giving true thanks”
And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. —Genesis 4:4
Read Genesis 4:1-5
No doubt you give thanks regularly, but the question we need to ask is, “In what manner do I give thanks?” Are you truly thankful to the Lord for the food you receive or for your health, to name just two blessings?
In our Scripture reading we see that both Cain and Abel brought an offering unto the Lord, something they had most likely been taught by Adam and Eve. Their sacrifices differed in that Cain’s offering contained no blood but was only a part of his harvest, while Abel gave an offering from the firstborn of his sheep. Both of them brought offerings, but God can only look upon a sinner through the blood of Jesus Christ. It was remarkable that Abel took great care in making his choice for an offering, giving the best of his flock for the Lord. We read no such thing about Cain. The author of Hebrews writes in He-brews 11:4 that Abel offered a “more excellent sacrifice.” God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s. Abel made an offering by faith, according to the Word of God and was looked upon as righteous (Matt.23:35).
Do you also give thanks in uprightness of heart? You go to church, you tithe, and you give thanks. Is this just a habit and merely routine? Is your thankfulness like Abel’s? Pray, “Lord, teach me how to give thanks.”
Why can there be such differences in giving thanks?