God rejected the first offering, but why? Jehovah does not grade on a curve. These offerings were not a zero-sum game, either. It wasn’t that one was accepted and the other was rejected. Both could have been acceptable, but they weren’t. Abel’s offering was accepted, and Cain’s offering was disregarded.
Genesis 4:3-5 (NIV) 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 Lord looked 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.
Why did God reject the first offering?
God rejected the first offering for reasons known only to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29). Several beliefs exist about why God rejected the first offering. This article explores the most common reasons God rejected Cain’s offering.
Abel Tithed But Cain Did Not
A contingent of Bible teachers believes that Abel tithed, but Cain did not. Is there any Biblical evidence to support this assertion?
The author of this article, states that the tithe is implied with Cain and Abel, revealed to Abraham, established in the Law of Moses, and is still relevant today.
I admit, from a writer’s perspective, that sounds compelling. However, this brief article presents zero Biblical evidence. In all fairness, the author couches assertions with passive terms such as most likely, probably, and implies.
Robert Morris, the former pastor of Gateway Church, also teaches that Abel tithed. He provides zero credible evidence that God accepted Abel’s offering because it was a tithe. Frankly, Robert Morris’ teaching on tithing has always been sketchy, scary, and unbiblical.
In his book titled Tithing After The Cross, David Croteau dismantles “the Abel tithed” argument. His arguments are theological and expositional and not emotional and topical. Here’s a link to some of his notes on the subject (slides 12-36)
The “Abel tithed and Cain did not” argument is weak. Tithing is not mentioned to Adam, Eve, Cain, or Abel.
The Bible refers to Abel’s gift as an offering — not an obligatory tithe.
Without The Shedding of Blood
Some preachers indicate that God required a blood sacrifice and Abel provided one. There is ample Levitical evidence that blood sacrifices were demanded. However, God also welcomed grain offerings. Additionally, the Old Testament tithe was predominately plant-based.
I find it interesting when Christians act as though God is a capricious dictator.
We know for sure that Abel brought the firstborn and their fat portions. False teachers like Robert Morris would have us believe that the “Principle of the Firstborn” is universally demanded and originated with Abel.
Since Cain was a farmer, he could not access animals like his brother. Therefore, Cain would need to barter with Abel to offer an animal as an offering. Why would he do that?
Should Cain have looked at his labor with disdain while admiring his brother’s?
Offerings of grain and other crops are legitimate.
Does the Bible drop clues as to why Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s rejected?
What Did John Say About Cain & Abel
I John3:11-12 (NASB) For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And for what reason did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.
According to John the Beloved, Abel’s deeds were righteous, and Cain’s were evil. Can you imagine being so incensed after being corrected that you were motivated to commit murder?
God corrected and guided Cain regarding offerings. Instead of taking ownership, he blamed Abel. Cain was the first person in history to embrace victimhood. He could have said, “You’re right, God, and I was wrong. Please forgive me.” He didn’t, though.
Hey Jude, What About Cain and Abel?
Jude 11 (NASB) Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay, they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
This verse doesn’t answer the question in isolation. We must return to the letter’s beginning and look for context clues. In my humble opinion, the key to this brief book is found in verse four. More specifically, the last nine words of the verse.
Jude 4 (NASB) For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into indecent behavior and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Denying Jesus as Master, Lord, and Christ is commonplace today. The sin of autonomy runs rampant in most churches. Probably because most pastors sing along with The Chairman of the Board, “I Did It My Way!”
Cain summarily rejected God’s correction and direction. Perhaps his act of charity was motivated by greed rather than love and God saw through his hypocrisy.
We’ve probably all fallen for that idea. “If I give, God will give me more!”
Giving must be purely motivated.
Cain and Abel in the Book of Hebrews
Hebrews 11:4 (NASB) By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
Abel’s offering landed him in the Faith Hall of Fame! Cain is mentioned but negatively.
The author of Hebrews provides some additional clues as to why Abel’s offering was accepted: One, it was offered in faith, and two, it was a better sacrifice than Cain’s.
How does one give an offering by faith? Cain was the first person to present the idea of an offering to God. Giving an offering was Cain’s idea. Abel, at least according to the account in Genesis, copied Cain’s idea. As far as we know, this was the first time an offering was presented.
Scarcity was introduced in the garden. The ground was cursed, and the work was challenging. Livestock could be killed and could be barren. There was no promise of a future harvest or new lambs to continue the family business.
Abel brought the firstborn—the future of his enterprise—as an offering. Sure, it was superior to Cain’s offering. However, Cain’s offering was also generally inferior and not given in faith.
Offering Rejected By God
God is not obligated to accept our half-baked, passive, and indifferent offerings. Your church might cash the check, but that doesn’t mean God found the offering acceptable.
Giving to God is a privilege and a sacred event.