Your Work and Cain and Abel
What do you do during the day? What is your job? Are there jobs that are more important or holier than others? For example, do you view a position in full-time ministry as a higher calling than working in fast-food service? Some of you might think we’re starting out this week by playing a game of 20 questions. I could come up with 20 questions, but I’ll pause here for a moment.
The sacred-secular divide goes back centuries, millennia actually. It’s a view that places all things spiritual above everything physical. However, it is not Biblically-based. God created us as spiritual and physical beings and both aspects are important to Him. This is true in our personal lives and in our vocations. Here’s a timely example, to whom did God announce the birth of His Son? Was it the priests? No, it was the shepherds.
What is important to God? It’s not your position, but how you perform your job and honor Him in the midst of it. To illustrate this, we’ll use a seemingly surprising example: Cain and Abel.
Genesis chapter 4 introduces us to the brothers Cain, a farmer; and Abel, a shepherd. Many of you know the story well. Cain and Abel make offerings to God. Abel’s animal sacrifice is accepted and Cain’s crops are not. Cain gets mad, which leads to his murdering Abel. Is that how the story goes? Let’s take a closer look.
When we look at scripture it is very important that we look at how something is said, especially if something is said twice. Compare and contrast. Was something left out the second time or added? There is significance in what is omitted or included. Let’s compare what Cain and Abel brought as an offering to the LORD (verses 3 and 4).
Cain – some of the fruits of the soil.
Abel – fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
Which offering is more descriptive? Abel’s offering highlights that he brought the best of the best and the first of the first. The word for “fat portions” can also mean fat, best, or finest. The Hebrew also specifies a feminine plural form of the word flock. He chose healthy fat young female lambs or goats, which is not what a shepherd would do if they want to grow their flock. Breeders keep healthy females and get rid of extra males.
The wording for Cain’s offering is minimal. It’s almost as if it’s not even worth talking about. It doesn’t even state that the offering is from his field.
The contrast here is not necessarily about the offering, but the QUALITY of the offering and the ATTITUDE in which it’s given (attitude revealed in verses 5-9). It wasn’t until much later that God gave the Law to Moses. Then the people were required to sacrifice both animals AND fruits of the soil. Most of us think of animal sacrifice, but there were also offerings of grains, wine, oil, flour, and bread. Both kinds of offerings were required.
Too many times we are deceived that certain vocations are more honorable or holier than others; that what you have to offer is less significant than another’s. That is NOT true. It is a lie from the Accuser himself. God has strategically placed us in our spheres of influence to make a difference for His kingdom. The world needs Christ-like people in every vocation. Each of us is to serve Him with our first and best wherever we are and with whatever we have. We are to be living sacrifices, utilizing the gifts He gives. God did not use a factory production line in creating us. Each one of us is a unique part of the body of Christ. Find your part and serve accordingly. Whatever your job, do it for the Lord. You have a holy calling in your work.
Here are some passages to mull over this week:
– Genesis 4:2-9
– Colossians 3:22-4:1 (*v23. To make it more applicable, read “employee” where it says “slave” and “boss” or “manager” where it says “master”.)
– Romans 12:1-2
– Proverbs 16:1-4 (*v3)
– Proverbs 3:5-10
Please take a moment and leave a reply. I love to get your comments. It’s so much fun to hear the different thoughts and perspectives.
Originally published December 17, 2018.
As a working mom I remember always feeling guilty of the time work took me away from my kids. Then one day I sat in church listening to a sermon of similar topic. It changed my perspective in how I viewed my job and how I interact with my peers, friends, and employees. It was also at a time in my career when I happened to have a manager who was very vocal about her faith so we were able to discuss the topic. I was there for a reason and I focused on trusting that and leaning towards Him when I struggled with balancing my home and work life. The same applies now as I lost my job back in March. I am fully trusting in His plan and focusing on how I continue to serve Him through my work. I’m still serving him; just in a different place; and no doubt I’m where he needs me to be.
Your words and outlook are the practical living out of Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV), “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Beautiful. Our job may change, but our work is always for the Lord; wherever He places us. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and meaningful insight in this, Patti.
So very true! All jobs & all professions from janitor to the President serve a purpose for God. I have experienced times that God as used me to honor him. Here’s a cute story about my son when he was about 8 years old. I was doing laundry & hanging up their clothes. I thought where in the world are all of Shane’s shirts? When I asked he said my friend Adam at school only has 1 shirt to wear cause they don’t have money. My first thought was but all your shirts! Now I have to go buy more shirts for Shane. Then a thought that I’m sure was from God was my son helped someone out of kindness how can I be frustrated. So bottom line to this is I feel God even uses children to honor him & Shane’s job was a student & playground kid.
Excellent point. Students and children are often overlooked. Let’s not forget that they have the same Spirit leading and guiding them. Colossians 3:17 says “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” There’s no activity or age restrictions. Two of the most powerful stories I’ve heard are of people who viewed their lower positions as working for the Lord and made a HUGE impact in those around them. One was a night prison janitor and another was a babysitter. Diligence in the little things are most powerful.
Amen! I have seen and experienced how God has used me as a music educator to powerfully show His love and grace in my classroom & teaching…even when I don’t realize it. Everyday I pray, “Lord help me to do this right because my students are watching and listening. Help me reflect you in all I do and say!”
I have found that God uses me to make an impact even when I do something wrong. We can make a big impression on people with how we handle our mistakes and missteps. I’d rather get it right, no doubt! But responding to issues in humility and grace is unnatural. That can touch hearts even more powerfully.
Point well taken!! Absolutely! Respond in Christ-like manner!!
I love the validation of the value of work and workers in all fields.
One question: If Cain and Abel are the third and fourth people on earth, who else’s field could Cain’s offering have come from?
I know, not pertinent to the lesson! I just wanted you to know that I read it all and gave it some serious thought. 🙂
Well done, Heather!!!
Great question! I love how you’re thinking it through. Actually, it never occurred to me that it would be someone else’s field (mom’s garden, for example)! The first (and only) thing that popped into my mind was that he just grabbed some random wild fruit/grain/vegetables. Of course, the text doesn’t specify. We just don’t know. The lack of information makes me wonder. And now I’m wondering even more! Adam and Eve did have lots of kids (Gen. 5:4), but the information in chapters 4 and 5 indicate that it was Cain, then Abel, then Seth. Who knows, maybe there were some sisters during that time too. You gave me something else to think about! Thanks for sharing!
One of the finest descriptions of the dignity of “doing” our work! The dignity is such because of the origin doing is our “being”, an expression of God’s creation.
Yes, yes! Let us not forget that we were created to work. Work is not bad. It is the fulfillment of who we are created to be. I really wanted to include Genesis 1 and 2 in the scripture passages. It shows that God works and rests and that He created humankind to work the garden and subdue the earth. It is a holy calling to bring order to disorder and express God’s creativity. Thank you for calling that out Russ!
Russ & Heather,
Exactly!! I will cling to “dignity of doing our work!” What an honor to do our “work” for God’s glory!
Thank you, Heather. This is timely for me.
Kathy, thank you so much for sharing that this was meaningful for you. It’s so neat when God brings about a message that we need at just the right time. I’m blessed that I could be a part of that!