This is the first of three lessons on the “First Fruits” to God.
God asks His people to give. He has always required that His people give an offering; to return a portion of the blessings we enjoy – as a reflection of our love for Him.
“The best gifts are the ones reflecting the heart of the giver.”
In Deuteronomy 16:16-17, the Bible says, “each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.” But why does God ask us to give? Does He need our money, or sacrifices, or offerings? No, is a reflection of our hearts; a response to God out of our recognition of His blessings.
In this lesson, Mike begins a journey through Scripture to reveal God’s will regarding the way we give back to God.
“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lordlooked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’”
Genesis 4:2-7 (NIV)