Twelve verses. That is the extent of the story of Cain and Abel in the Old Testament.

The climax of the account is in Genesis 4:8, after Cain’s offering to God was rejected while Abel’s was accepted: “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”

While it is a short story, it is packed with meaning. The thousand-foot view is that it is about two ways of life. There is give— outgoing concern for others—represented by Abel, and get— materialistic, covetous, inward focus—represented by Cain.

Yet notice the central conflict of the story: the two siblings brought offerings before God. This action revealed what was in the hearts of both brothers.

God still requires offerings of us today. Deuteronomy 16:16 states: “Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the Lord your God in the place which He shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty.”

On each of the seven commanded Holy Days throughout the year—two during the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and two during the Feast of Tabernacles—we give monetary offerings.

Again, God was able to look into the hearts of Cain and Abel through their offerings. This begs a question: What do our individual offerings say about us today?

Outside Appearances

From Genesis 4, it does not seem Cain and Abel’s offerings were much different.

Verse 2 shows that Cain was “a tiller of the ground” and Abel was “a keeper of sheep.” The account continues: “And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 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: but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”

So what was the difference? Abel brought an offering. Cain brought an offering. One was “respected,” the other was not.

Clearly, offerings are not just about the action of doing it. There has to be something deeper.

The Bible records that Cain simply brought an offering. It appears, however, Abel took more time preparing his. He “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.”

Abel gave the very best of what he had—and the first of it. It appears that Cain brought his offering haphazardly and without much thought.

God’s Standards

It should come as no surprise that God outlined the same standard in Deuteronomy 16:16 that He required of Cain and Abel. Recall that it states we “shall not appear before the Lord empty” during the Holy Days.

Note that the Hebrew word for “empty” can mean “emptyhanded”—we must always bring an offering on Holy Days! Yet this is not the standard. Cain’s example shows that just bringing something is not enough.

The word for “empty” has other meanings that expand what is required of us. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible also defines this word as “emptily” and “ineffectually.”

Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon adds more. It can mean “in vain, to no purpose,” “without cause,” and “rashly.”

Offerings should be prepared carefully—and should not be done in vain.

Verse 17 of Deuteronomy 16 shows part of how to avoid a vain and pointless offering: “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.”

As you go through your life—and especially in the weeks leading up to a Holy Day offering—you should consider how God has blessed you physically, financially, spiritually and so on. Take stock of everything God has given you.

This is one of the grander purposes of offerings. God wants us to look deeply at what He has given us—and, more important, look past this physical realm to our spiritual reward.

When this is all taken into account, He commands us to give. The action of preparing and giving offerings are a crucial way to fulfill Colossians 3:2: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

By commanding us to give seven offerings throughout the year, God is helping us slow down, take a hard look at our lives and spiritual progress—and helping us avoid Cain’s get way of life.

Way of Cain

A deeper look at Cain and his character cements the importance of proper offerings. While the Bible offers scant details on this man, first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus had access to ancient historical documents that no longer exist today.

Note that we cannot be certain that everything Josephus wrote is 100 percent factual, but what he said about Cain and Abel appears to support the biblical account. His Antiquities of the Jews records that these brothers lived the ways of give and get: “Now, the two brethren were pleased with different courses of life, for Abel, the younger, was a lover of righteousness, and, believing that God was present at all his actions, he excelled in virtue; and his employment was that of a shepherd. But Cain was not only very wicked in other respects, but was wholly intent upon getting…”

After Cain killed Abel, God expelled him from the presence of his family as punishment.

Josephus states that Cain refused to learn from his punishment and instead determined “to increase his wickedness; for he only aimed to procure everything that was for his own bodily pleasure, though it obliged him to be injurious to his neighbors. He augmented his household substance with much wealth, by rapine [theft] and violence.”

The account shows that Cain compelled others “to procure pleasures and spoils by robbery, and became a great leader of men into wicked courses. He also introduced a change in that way of simplicity wherein men lived before; and was the author of measures and weights. And whereas they lived innocently and generously while they knew nothing of such arts, he changed the world into cunning craftiness. He first of all set boundaries about lands: he built a city, and fortified it with walls, and he compelled his family to come together to it…”

Rather than changing his ways, Cain fully gave himself to vanity, jealousy, lust and greed!

Josephus shows the incredible effect Cain had on others: “Nay, even while Adam was alive, it came to pass that the posterity of Cain became exceeding wicked, every one successively…more wicked than the former. They were intolerable in war, and vehement in robberies…yet was he bold in his [wasteful] behavior, in acting unjustly, and doing injuries for gain.”

Going Forward

The Bible and Josephus have a lot to say about Cain, however, there is very little detail about Abel. A big reason for this is that he died young.

There is in fact only one other place in God’s Word that expands on Abel’s story. Though brief, this verse adds a fascinating additional detail about Abel—and offerings in general.

Hebrews 11:4 states, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.”

Notice that Abel’s action demonstrated his righteousness. When giving offerings, we can do the same.

But consider: Offerings are a personal act between you and your God. Only He and you know whether there was truly ample preparation, that you gave according to your blessings—that you did not appear before Him “empty” in any sense.

God wants to see where your heart is. Thankfully, He gives us a clear way to show it through offerings. Yet the benefits are not one-sided. Preparing and giving offerings seven times a year allows us to take a spiritual litmus test of sorts. Just as God is able to discern our hearts—so too can we!

While how you give your offerings is clearly important, so is the amount. Yet realize that how much you give is relative to your situation.

The account of Luke 21 demonstrates this perfectly. In it, Jesus “looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in there two mites. And He said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow has cast in more than they all: for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury has cast in all the living that she had” (vs. 1-4).

While the literal dollar amount does not matter to God, there is a stipulation here that applies to rich and poor alike. We must not just give of our “abundance”—rather, it should hurt a little bit.

Recall that Abel gave the “fat”—the choicest part—of his flock. Giving up the best is not easy.

For us today, giving the “fat” is a little different because we give monetary offerings. Instead of searching our crops or animals for the best, we set aside funds that could have been spent on something for ourselves. Depending on your situation, you may decide to cut back on certain expenses and niceties so that you can increase your offerings and more fully contribute to God’s Work.

The extra effort you put into offerings will help you fulfill Luke 12:34, which states, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

However, if you look back on offerings you have given and find they were inadequate, determine to change. Remember the lesson of Cain. Strive to be different each time you find yourself falling short.

Allow giving offerings to help you keep your mind on God’s coming Kingdom. Shun the get example of Cain and embrace Abel’s give way. Instead of ever appearing before God empty—use this vital command to its fullest!