Right Offering

Genesis 4:5 says, "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." (KJV). In the original the word respect means to gaze. God's eyes turn away from Cain's offering. He would not let His eyes rest on such an detestable offering.

While Cain and Abel brought the first fruits of their labor; their attitude and heart were very different. As a result, Cain's countenance fell and he became angry. After all he was the first born but here God showed favor to the younger brother's offering.

Scripture tells us, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." (James 1:20 KJV). When someone is given to an angry spirit, they are walking unrighteously. Any sacrifice they offer to God is defiled by this sin of anger. Long before Cain brought his offering he was an angry man.

Even today we are warned in I John 3:12, "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (KJV). Just how many Christians are walking around angry at God, at co-workers, their spouse and children and angry at how their lives at turned out. Some are like ticking time bombs ready to explode (or implode). Sadly, some don't recognize they are angry because they have lived with it for such a long time. They can't see clearly how it effects their relationships around them.

Psalms 4:4 instructs us, "Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD." (NLT). Beloved, we need to ask God when we are tempted to give way to anger for the calming, soothing touch of His Spirit. To have him take the heat out our spirit when we are offended and grant us an increase of peace.

We will know freedom when we ask the Lord to go to the real source of our anger. How we respond is often telling of a deeper, unresolved issue (s). For the most part we know what makes us angry but don't understand what to do with such an overpowering desire to lash out, become destructive or make people pay for crossing lines that wounded us.

The right offering starts with an honest cry to the Lord we are angry and we desire to respond rightly. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." (NIV). Impatience is often the match to start a bonfire of anger. We feel pressed to take matters in our own hands or otherwise someone will get the upper hand.

Only God can take our pitiful offering - the root vegetables of anger - and exchange it with a heart of forgiveness and love. He instructs us to be patient and long suffering assured that He will vindicate and bring justice on His terms, not ours. Lastly, remember we must take on the Lord's character, "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalms 103:8, KJV).