It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. Hebrews 11:4 (NLT)
How does Abel's example of faith still speak to us today?
What are examples of first fruits in our own lives?
Do you struggle to give God your first fruits?
These questions are posted to open up discussion and comments on the story of Cain and Abel.
Please feel free to share your own thoughts, comments and questions on this topic.
Please feel free to share your own thoughts, comments and questions on this topic.
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To show you just how gracious God is, we have the BIBLE, so those days we don't hear Him as cleary as Cain did we still have His words to go too!!
ReplyDeleteSo, can we give our time talent and treasures back to God as our first fruits? If we have a gifting in some ability or talent, and we use it for His purposes, not our own, would that be considered giving back of our first fruits? But not if we used it all up and give back a little of the left-overs of the day...if we give our best when we are at our best. What if we use the same talents, treasures, time and use them to help someone out who needs help? Would this be considered the same as giving it back to God? The bible talks about "if you do it for the least of these...", it's the same as doing it for him. I'm wondering about this concept...
ReplyDeleteI think that with a well prepared heart that is focused on God and really wanting to give Him the glory with our gifts that He will accept these gifts as our first fruits. God is priority #1. I definitely think that God is honored when we share our gifts with others that need help.
ReplyDeleteNew at bloggin---not sure what to pick for selecting a profile at the end???????
ReplyDeleteI find myself guilty of offering the harvest. It is often hard to let go of things and to give the controls over. In winter time money is always tight for us. We do what we can to make ends meet, and I find that while we still make offerings, it is often from the leftovers. In summer money is more plentiful and so are my offerings. This happens despite the fact that God has proven time and time again that He is faithful. When I have trusted in Him, many amazing things just seem to "work out" even in the worst of droughts.
This story is a great reminder to keep an eye on where our heart is.
Kim A
I think a good analogy of giving God our first fruits is to be ready to serve Him when He calls on us to do so. Its not a "when I have time" thing or "I have to fit it into MY schedule". The time is now!!! Lives are on the line!! He wants us to do His work when he calls!! Find your talent and use it to honor Him!! YEAH LETS GO!!!
ReplyDeleteT
Yes - wholeheartedly agree with T's comments! Give God the best and be ready when He calls.
ReplyDeleteI think giving your "firstfruits" to God means giving everything to Him. This could be anything that we put before God (our desires, doubts, people, possessions, etc.). This is not always the easiest thing to do, especially when hardships occur. We find ourselves saying that God is our number one priority, but, in reality, we make excuses and put Him to the side until we have "time." I believe we need to live our lives by revolving our daily life around God. Let everything you do praise God and honor Him. What He desires most is our whole heart- not a just a piece of it. I have found that I am my happiest when I am wrapped in His arms of love. Other things may seem to make me happy, but that happiness seems fake after I give Him my all and feel something so real.
ReplyDeleteSince God loves us more than we could ever imagine, why wouldn't we want to give Him our firstfruits- our everything?
I thought about the last part of the verse in Hebrews "...although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith."
ReplyDeleteWhat a great epitaph.
Anyway, I find giving God my firsts a very difficult thing to do. It isn't natural at all for me because giving involves trusting. I tend to give God my best Benjamin Franklin try: "God helps those who help themselves."
So in doing just that, I don't give God ME.
What better example of giving a first-fruit than giving Him the beginning of me rather than the rest of me.
I belive that the "first fruits" of our lives are the results obtained when we labor WITH the Lord and with what the Lord provides for us to accmplish those results. The first minutes of our day, the first of our return on our business dealings, the first of any unexpected gifts (as sent by the Lord to us),the best of our work for His Gospel cause, the best we can do to propagate His Gospel in our children's lives after us. All is provided by Him to give Grace and Mercy for our lives and for our care. Abel's gift was given to Honor God's love and care in Abel's own life. It was a very personal gift.
ReplyDelete