My observations from Genesis 4

I have been reading in Genesis lately. I was reading chapter 4 which talks about Cain and Abel. The first part of the chapter deals with the offerings. We see that Abel kept flocks and Cain worked the soil. The Bible says that Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering, but Abel brought the fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. It is interesting to me that verse 3 starts out "in the course of time" (NIV). (Back to that point in a moment) Really it wasn't about the contrast between an offering of plant life and an offering of animal life. It was all about the heart issue. It is about a careless, thoughtless offering and a choice, generous offering. Hebrews 11:4 says "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did...." It was the motivation and attitude of the heart. These are all-important and God looked with favor on Abel and his offering because of Abel's faith. What is our heart motivation and attitude when we offer up a sacrifice or when we serve? Do we do things by faith like Abel with a happy heart and willingness to serve and give of ourselves or do we do things out of routine or just because it needs to be done or it makes you "look good"? Do we do all things to glorify and honor God? What is the motivation for my serving and giving?

Now back to the point from verse 3. Do you think Cain started off giving with the right heart and over time grew weary and became bitter? I don't know. The commentary notes from MacArthur's Study Bible says for verses 4 & 5 "Abel's offering was acceptable, not just because it was an animal, nor just because it was the very best of what he had, nor even that it was the culmination of a zealous heart for God; but, because it was in every way obediently given according to what God must have revealed (though not recorded in Genesis). Cain, disdaining the divine instruction, just brought what he wanted to bring: some of his crop."  Verse 7 The Lord ask him (Cain): "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" Obedience was the key here. But was he always bent toward disobedience or did he gradually become this way? At any rate, when you stop and think about the statement "in the course of time" or as the New King James says "And in the process of time it came to pass", what would be the ending to that statement for your life and heart? "In the course of time she/he grew stronger in their walk with the Lord" or "In the course of time she/he grew further away from God?"  Is Jesus all that you and I need? Do we live that out?