How's Your Portfolio? - January 10, 2010
Sermon Notes for Genesis 4:1-12
Key verses: Genesis 4:4b-5a “The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift.”
As the archetype of the first siblings, the story of Cain and Abel depicts well sibling rivalry, which has existed since time began. The story demonstrates how comparisons lead to a sense of dejection and jealousy, which can tempt us to harm relationships instead of working through the issue. We do have a choice of how to handle our feelings, but if we choose the path of sin, we damage our relationship with God, with our family, with other people, with ourselves, and even with the land itself. No matter what we choose, however, the story also shows how God continues to love and care for both brothers, even the one who murders the other. God does allow Cain to live with the consequence of his choice, but he helps him survive it and remains with him.
Cain and Abel both present gifts to God. God does not command them to give gifts, but they both offer gifts to God, probably out of gratitude. As a farmer and a shepherd, Cain and Abel know that their livelihood depends on many things which they cannot control, such as rain and good health. When they present their gifts to God, God accepts Abel’s gift and does not accept Cain’s gift. The story does not tell us why God does not accept Cain’s gift or how Cain finds out about it. We can presume from the previous stories that God communicates directly with Cain. We also know that God looks at both the giver and the gift, seeing the motive for giving as important as the gift itself. (Remember Jesus praising the widow’s meager offering because it was all she had?)
Cain feels angry and dejected in response, but does not say anything. Instead, God helps Cain by naming his feelings for him. So often when we do not name our feelings, they gain control over our actions and we feel as though we have no choice. Naming our feelings before God allows us to see what choices of action we do have and it honors both our feelings and our power to choose. God also tells Cain that he can try again. God has not rejected Cain outright, but instead has not accepted his offering. But, God always gives second (and third, fourth, fifth, etc.) chances. God also helps prepare us to live those second chances and here God warns Cain that his feelings of jealousy leave sin crouching at the door ready to attack. In other words, our feelings of jealousy can consume our lives and take over our thoughts, feelings, and actions. However, like Cain, we have a choice. And God warns Cain to look out.
Cain, however, does not heed the warning and misplaces his anger about his offering onto Abel whose offering God did accept. Cain, out of jealousy, invites Abel out into the fields and kills him. The first murder the Bible mentions arises over jealousy and worship practices, yet God had warned Cain to look out. Earlier in Genesis, we learn that death enters the world, not as part of God’s plan but as part of human rebellion against God. Notice here, then, that the first death mentioned in the Bible comes from human hands. When we do not listen to our hearts, naming our feelings before God and making healthy choices about how to respond, we instead choose destruction, just as Cain destroys his brother.
After Cain kills Abel, God comes to him and asks where his brother is. Cain chooses denial rather than confession and turns the blame on God. In the Old Testament, God alone keeps people. So, by asking God: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain really accuses God of not “keeping” Abel and taking care of him. How many times do we blame God for the consequences of our own choices? But, God does not abandon Cain, just as God did not abandon Abel. Instead, God’s presence remains with both of them.
But, God does name the consequences of Cain’s destructive behavior—separation from his family as a “homeless wanderer,” separation from other people as a wanderer, and separation from his work as the ground will no longer yield its fruit for him. When we choose the path of sin, God forgives but also allows us to live with the alienating consequences of our behavior so that we might learn from it and grow. Cain experiences this consequence as a destruction of all of his relationships and feels overwhelmed by it. Yet, when he cries out to God that his punishment is too much, God promises he will not be harmed and that God will remain with him. God offers us the same grace of daily presence and will not leave us alone.
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Suggestion for Reflection and Meditation
- What did you hear in the story of Cain and Abel? What new insights did God give you as you heard (or read) the story? How does comparing ourselves to others influence how we feel about ourselves? What destructive behaviors comes as a result of comparison? What other choices do we have when we feel jealous after comparing ourselves to another?
- When do you feel tempted to compare yourself with others? When you give into that temptation, what feelings arise? How comfortable do you feel with sharing those feelings with God? How do your feelings influence your choices and your actions?
- How does God measure our success? What does God look for in our offerings? How can we focus on God’s love for us and God’s definition of success when we feel like our lives offer evidence that “proves” we are not successful?
- How did you experience the Holy Spirit’s presence in worship today?
