In Genesis 4, we meet Abel, Adam and Eve’s second son. Cain, their first son, farmed whereas Abel tended sheep.
“After some time Cain brought some of his harvest and gave it as an offering to the Lord. Then Abel brought the first lamb born to one of his sheep, killed it, and gave the best parts of it as an offering. The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering, but he rejected Cain and his offering” (Genesis 4:3-5a TEV).
Why did God prefer one offering over the other? Cain brought some of his harvest. Some! Abel, however, brought God the first lamb that was born to one of his sheep.
From this, we get a glimpse into Abel’s heart. We can see where Abel placed God in his life–at the top of his list. And thus he wanted to offer God his firsts.
Where do you place God in your life? Is pleasing Him your first priority? Or do you have a list of things to do where God is at number 102? You mean to spend time with Him, but you are always to busy to make time?
Abel was busy tending to his sheep, but he found time to make God his first priority. And so can you.
You can get up an hour earlier and spend it with God. Or even fifteen or thirty minutes earlier. Maybe you can pray while you are in the shower. Perhaps you can read the Word over your breakfast.
If you put God first in your life, give Him first priority, God will be pleased with you too, just as He was with Abel and the first lamb that Abel offered.
