Session 2
What Pleases God
From Rich Toward God
In the opening chapters of the Bible, we find a story about giving. A story about giving this early in Scripture should put us on alert: this must be important to God if it’s one of the first things He reveals to us in His Word. From the very beginning of humanity, we see offerings as a part of the relationship between people and God. Unfortunately, we also see things start to go awry right away.
Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, both gave to God, but only one of them approached giving the right way. Abel brought an offering of the firstborn, which pleased God. Cain, on the other hand, decided to bring his own kind of offering—a kind that God had not asked for. As you might recall from yesterday’s devotional, God doesn’t ask for our offerings out of need. He didn’t need the firstborn from Abel’s flock or the fruit from Cain’s garden. Giving doesn’t fulfill a need of God’s, but when it’s done the right way, it pleases God.
Bringing any old offering to the Lord does not please him. The point is not the offering itself, but what’s behind the offering—our hearts. When we give to “check the box” of obedience, we miss the entire point. Instead, God is honored by our giving when we give with real intention, purpose, thoughtfulness, and purity.
When we give improperly, like Cain did, sin is crouching at the door of our hearts. Not only did Cain disobey God, but he allowed himself to be angry when God didn’t accept his improper offering. If you read further in the story, you’ll discover that this anger led him to kill his own brother. Let’s learn from Cain and remember that giving is not about checking a box; it’s about checking our hearts.
REFLECT
- How do we shift our hearts towards God in giving?
- What does it look like to please God with our giving?