Grumpy Offering

For many years, I have had the opportunity to receive offerings for the church. I know, because we give offerings ourselves, how precious they are to the Lord and to those giving. I also know how difficult offerings can be to give when....a. I don't want to give.....b I can't afford to give. I remember one Sunday when I was receiving the offering at our church, I told the congregation that "God doesn't want your grumpy offering". It was a funny thing to say, but I have found it to be true. God doesn't want your grumpy offering. What makes an offering "grumpy"? Well, you make it grumpy! Not only are we instructed to give, but God requires an attitude of a grateful heart. He doesn't want us to give under compulsion as we see in 2 Corinthians 9:7, but with a cheerful heart through a decision ourselves. In your relationship with God, you will find that most things established between you and God are based on a decision you make. God lays out the plan, are you willing to walk with His rules and instruction? They will always require an act of faith. But be encouraged, the Bible tells us that God has given each man a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Let's get back to Genesis and watch this played out. We will be in Genesis 4:1-15 for the next few blog posts. Let's glean what we can from this moment in history. Adam and Eve have been extracted from the Garden of Eden. There are angels with flaming swords guarding the entrance to the garden - probably to this day! The new parents have two children, Cain, the firstborn, and Abel. Cain is the main character of this story. Now, when I say story, I don't mean fiction. The Bible is an accurate and true account of the history of the world and the history of man. Cain's name is from the word "Kun" meaning strike. This is our first introduction to Cain's character and his future as a murderer. I find it interesting that Adam and Eve's first born brought the first death into the world. Their disobedience in the garden brought death through sin as well. Anyway, their second son is Abel. Both sons were hard workers. Cain tilled the soil which represents the curse on the land (Genesis 3:17-19) and Abel tended sheep which is a reference to Jesus and His obedience. It came time for the offering. Cain brought his fruit offering of fruit and Abel his sheep offering. God's response? In chapter 4 verse 5, God "respected" Abel's offering. This meant he "looked upon" it with favor. Though we don't see the written instruction for the offering, we see it by God's response. Abel's offering was the first (or best) and fattest sheep required. Cain's offering got no "respect" from God - or no favor. In verse 6, Cain is not happy about God's response. A fallen countenance is not a happy person. We will find later, that he redirects his anger to his brother. What does God require of us today? Yes, offerings to the Lord. The best of our labor, the best of our work skills, the best of our attitude, the best of our service, the "first fruits" of our labor (money). He requires a servant's heart - one like the "offering" Jesus. An obedient servant even unto death. Do you have a position in your church? How about your job? Does it seem your work isn't recognized enough? Have you found yourself stepping away from it or have you dropped the responsibility? Don't blame others for your actions. Remember your service is not unto man, but unto God. If you drop it or walk away, it's God you are letting down - much less the people you are supposed to be serving. Careful! Serve the Lord in all you do and He will see to it that reward will come. Don't be a grumpy giver or a disobedient one!