Read Genesis 4:3-7 – And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (NKJV)
Giving our best is a key way for us to honor God. In the tragic story of Cain and Abel, it seems Cain’s failure to do what he knew to do launched a series of events from which he would never fully recover. While there is much debate over why Cain’s sacrifice was unworthy, while Abel’s was acceptable to God, it seems evident that Cain knew to do something that he failed to do. He didn’t do what was right. God’s words are striking, “if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.” Is that true with every shortcut we take? If we fail to give our best, does God’s enemy stand ready to lure us into tragic choices? Some have said that doing what is right is its own reward. Certainly good choices bring good things to our lives, but never forget that settling for good when the best is clearly within reach can bring its own tragic road.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org
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