“Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The Lordsaid 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 is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.”” Genesis 4:2-7
“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39
What do you give to God? Do you give Him the ‘first fruits’ of your heart? Or, do you hold back your best for yourself, giving God what remains?
Is ‘enough’ truly enough?
Jesus and the story of Cain and Abel disagree. The Ten Commandments make it clear that God is first, Jesus says the most important Commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
How many tithe based on what’s remaining after all my debts and pleasures are settled? Giving God 10% or your remaining 10% isn’t giving God the first portions of your harvest.
When you see that Jesus gave His 1,000% for you upon the cross, a soul hopefully will see how little we can offer back but how much the soul wants to give. The soul who sees this truth and meditates upon the cross and what God gave for him, sees that first fruits aren’t enough, the soul wants to give ‘all the fruits of the harvest.’
This soul isn’t left bereft of harvest at this point. It is then that the soul sees how abundantly rich in the harvest he is.
A soul cannot out generous God. The soul cannot give more than God. And, the soul who gives it all away, becomes the pearl of great value which God seeks and treasures.
Don’t allow ‘holding back’ or settle for an ‘enough’ attitude to pollute and corrupt your soul. Purify and become a blazing beacon by giving your first fruits and all your harvest to God. Don’t stress that there will be enough for me to get by left. Give to God first, then trust He will care for you.
Glorify God the Father by giving Him the best of your treasures, physical and spiritual. Give God your all. He will become your all in all.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:29-32