By faith Abel

 

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. - Hebrews 11:4

 

In this whole list of Old Testament faith possessors God chooses to list Abel first. When Abel and his brother came to bring their sacrifices to God Abel brought a more excellent sacrifice. Because this sacrifice was his best it evidenced that he brought a more excellent sacrifice.

 

Here is the account from Genesis chapter 4:

 

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

 

That sounds a little harsh. One sacrifice pleased God and the other didn’t. I don’t claim to know why, but I think there is a hint. Cain brought a sacrifice, but it is specified that Abel brought a sacrifice from the first fruits. The implication is that Abel brought God the sacrifice right away and didn’t wait to make sure that he had enough before He gave to God.

 

What about our gifts to God? Do we have the faith to trust God before we know that we have enough? Or do we, like Cain, gift an offering from what we have brought in. Abel’s faith I’m going to give the first of what God gave me and trust Him for the result without knowing what is coming.