OFFERINGS ARE PART OF WORSHIP!

OFFERINGS ARE PART OF WORSHIP!

Gen 4:3-4 KJV

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.

4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

It didn’t take long for fallen man to realize that God was the giver of all good things and that a portion of what God had given should be returned as an offering. In fact this is probably not a single act but a series of acts as if the story should have said “they were in the habit of bringing.”

The difference in the offerings and the two boys who offered has long been discussed. I think there are two things that need to be investigated.

1.  THE DIFERENCES!

Ø     Abel comes as a sinner without any claim on God.

Ø     Abel acknowledges the curse of death to be his own and brings a lamb as a substitute for his own blood.

Ø     Cain acknowledges only his connection with nature and so brings of the fruit of the ground.

Ø     Cain’s offering was “toil” represented by tilling and tending the ground. Cain’s was an offering of self effort.

Ø     Abel’s offering was of life-for-life. He knows that his relationship with Jehovah is based on the sacrifice of another.

Ø     Abel comes with blood on his hands and feels that he dare not approach God without it.

2. THE BEST OFFERING!

Eph 5:1-2 KJV

5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Isa 53:4-5 KJV

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

3. WHY CHRISTIANS GIVE OFFERINGS?

Mark 12:41-44 KJV

41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Ps 96:7-9 KJV

7 Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

The widow gave not to make God or even His Temple rich. Yet she attracted the attention of Jesus! She gave because she loved God and wanted to honor him.

Dear Lord, I don’t have much in this world’s goods but I am rich with all the things you have provided by grace. Please accept my offerings as you did the poor widow. AMEN