__According to Hebrews 11:1, *“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”*__

Faith is the heartbeat of our walk with God. Our confidence, or faith, that God is who He says He is and that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life are rooted in God’s word.  We have purpose and hope because of our faith, which touches every area of life, including our finances. __We can look at Genesis to find out how faith in the area of *giving* played a part in the story of brothers Cain and Abel.__

Cain and Abel were sons of Adam and Eve, born after the couple sinned and were driven from the Garden of Eden. Their story is found in Genesis 4. It’s a tragic tale of resentment and murder. Cain killed his younger brother Abel because of an *offering*.

Genesis 4:2-5 tells us, “*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 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.*

You know this story. Both brothers were prepared to give to the Lord— so far so good.  Cain was a farmer and he brought some of his produce. Abel was a shepherd, so he brought his offering from what he had and this is where things went wrong.

Look at the difference between the *quality* of their offerings. Cain brought “*some of the fruits of the soil*” as an offering to the Lord. Abel, on the other hand, brought God the best parts of the best animals he had, “*fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.*”

The words make it obvious that Abel and his gift were somehow more pleasing to God than Cain and his offering. As a kid, hearing the story in Sunday School, I thought it seemed unfair that God didn’t accept both boys’ offerings. I thought maybe God just didn’t like vegetables, but if you look a little more closely, you can see why God favored Abel. Hebrews 11:6 gives us a clue: *“Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”*

God, who always sees the heart behind our actions, was not pleased with Cain’s gift, because Cain’s offering demonstrated a lack of faith. Abel’s gift was *full* of faith.  Abel’s desire to give his best demonstrated his trust in God’s provision and submission to God’s authority.

Abel chose to sacrifice some of his prime animals that could have brought a handsome price. Cain, on the other hand, was content to bring just “some” produce and not even his *first* fruits.  Cain’s offering was a reflection of his faithless attitude toward God.

Hebrews 11:4 makes the connection between Abel’s faith and God’s favor, “*By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.”*

We all know what happened after the brothers made their offerings. Cain was furious that God approved of his little brother, and not him.

Genesis 4:6-9 continues, “*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.*

*“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”*

Not only was Cain faithless and false toward God, but he also broke faith with his brother by killing and denying him. So, God judged Cain and sent him into exile.

__Our relationships with each other are as important as our motivations and attitudes when it comes to giving.__  Restore faith with your brothers and sisters in Christ before you bring in your own offerings to church. Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-24:

“*Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”*

__As Christians, we have opportunities every day to “do what is right.”  By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can choose to *walk in faith*, as Abel did.  As with Abel, our faithful giving results in God’s favor.  That’s the *“well done*,” that we all long to hear from our heavenly Father.__

You can also __[listen](https://www.faithfi.com/search?q=Faith%20Full%20Giving&videos=true&articles=true&podcasts=true&posts=true&groups=true&events=true&support=true)__ to the related podcast on this topic.

FaithFi

Articles

We have opportunities every day to “do what is right.”  With the Holy Spirit in us, we can choose to walk in the spirit.

VERSES | Nov 16, 2023

Faith Full Giving

By: Carolyn Calupca

Where Faith Meets Finance

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