Give Honor First

Introduce series, “Money Matters.”

Emphasize that we talk about money because it is in the Bible, just like sin, forgiveness, blessing, salvation, etc.

Acknowledge abuse on the subject.

Mention online giving; We teach as a reminder for those who know and as an opportunity to grow for those who don’t.

It is interesting to me how early in the Scriptures the topic of giving arises. Genesis chapter 1 is about creation. Chapter 2 continues the creation narrative and includes the first union of man and wife. Chapter 3 introduces sin and the fall. And then comes chapter 4. Keep in mind that Genesis chapter 4 is hundreds of years before Abraham was the first Jew, Isaac born (when Abraham was 100), the Exodus of Israel (400 years after that) and the giving of the Law. From Adam to Moses and the Law was about 2500 years.

Genesis 4:1–2 NKJV

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Adam and Eve bear sons. Cain, whose name means “possession” or “to get” was the first born and Eve was delighted in him. It is very likely Adam and Eve considered Cain as the prophesied Seed of a Woman that would stomp the serpent (cf. Genesis 3:15). Abel was the second born son. His name means “breath, vanity, vapor” and could be a hint towards “brevity of life.”

Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer.

When You Give Matters

Genesis 4:3–5 NKJV

3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

“In the process of time” in the Hebrew literally means, “at the end of days.” This implies that this offering was given either at the end of the year, a special feast time, or at the end of the days of the week, the seventh day, the Sabbath. This offering was probably given on the Sabbath day.

At that time, Cain brought an offering and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock.

Illustration: Have you ever had someone go get food for your family or friend group only to not ask you. Then, after they got everyone stuff, they offer to get you something. It’s too late. You were an after thought.

Cain did not bring the first of his harvest to the Lord. He brought an offering to the Lord. Abel brought the first of his flock to God. He didn’t bring just whatever. He brought the first.

1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT

On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.

Paul is instructing on how to handle the offering in the local church and said that we ought to give on the first day of the week, without the need for any special collection or appeal.

Proverbs 3:9 AMP

Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;

Putting God first is about honor and respect. We put no other gods before our God (Exodus 20:3). We seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

We don’t give to God as an afterthought. We don’t remember Him last. We honor God and put Him first. When you give matters because it shows God where your heart is.

What You Give Matters

Genesis 4:3–5 NLT

3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

Cain brought some of his crops to the Lord.

Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn lambs.

Illustration: Does it matter if I got my wife a random rock or a diamond? Or a Coach purse or a Wal-mart special? I got her a gift, that should count right?

What you give does matter. They both gave to the LORD things that He would accept (animals and produce). The firstborn belong to God (Exodus 13:2, Numbers 18:17). The first fruits belong to God (cf. Deuteronomy 18:3-5).

But while Cain gave some of his crops, just whatever he had handy, Abel gave the best of the best. In fact, throughout Scripture you can find that only the best of the best was considered worthy of being offered to God (Leviticus 22:20-22).

2 Samuel 24:24 NKJV

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

We don’t give to God our left overs. We don’t give to God just whatever. We give to God our first and our best because He is worthy. He redeemed us and saved us and loves us with an everlasting love. He deserves the highest praise and the greatest honor. Make no mistake, what you give to God does matter!

How You Give Matters

You can’t separate the gift from the giver.

Genesis 4:4–5 NKJV

4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

When God accepted Abel’s gift, He accepted Abel. It was given in faith and God declared him to be righteous.

Hebrews 11:4 NKJV

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Abel’s gift was “more excellent” than Cain’s was. In fact, the words for “had respect to” Abel mean “to look at any thing with a keen earnest glance” and have also been translated as “kindle into a fire.” In other words, it could be that they knew without a doubt that God accepted Abel’s gift because it was consumed by fire (see Genesis 15:17, Judges 13:20).

Cain’s gift was not accepted by God. In fact, his offering was considered evil.

1 John 3:12 NKJV

not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Illustration: How would you feel if someone who knew you real well took the time to find a gift that you would like? They went to the store, bought the exact brand and style of thing you liked. They wrapped it nicely, and then presented it to you with great joy. What if they got you that gift but didn’t wrap it and instead just dumped it in the chair next to you and said, “here.” How would you feel about the gift? How would you feel about that person? (Or what if they gave you a candy bar that you hated? You’d question if they even knew you or definitely if they cared about you).

2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

How you give your gift is as important as what you give and when you give. This is because you can not separate the gift from the giver. When you give by faith, you please God (cf. Hebrews 11:6). When you give to honor God and show Him respect, it pleases Him.

Giving is about relationship. It is about acknowledging God and responding to Him in a manner worthy of Him. Your gift is a reflection of your heart…so let each one give as he purposes in his heart.

Conclusion

One of the most natural and right things that we can do in our relationship to God is worship. Giving is an act of worship.

Giving is honoring to God. It is respecting and recognizing Him.

When you give matters. Don’t give to God as an afterthought. Put Him first.

What you give matters. Don’t give God any old thing. Give Him your best.

How you give matters. Give to God in faith and gratitude and cheerfulness. This pleases Him.

Pray - ask the Holy Spirit what He is saying to you. If you have been giving to God in faith your first and your best, may He continue to bless you. If you have not, decide in your heart to do so today and may God bless you and help you.

Next week we will continue the series and talk about how giving “Lifts the curse”