"Time passed.  Cain brought an offering to God from the produce of his farm.  Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat.  God liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval.  Cain lost his temper and went into sulk" (Genesis 4:3-5 MSG).

Why was God displeased with Cain's sacrifice?  Was it because Cain didn't sacrifice animals?  He could have easily traded his produce for one of Abel's quality animals.  Yet, the text doesn't specify that animals were the only sacifice God required at this time.  So, his land produce may not have been the issue.  A likely reason God wasn't happy with Cain's offering was because Cain didn't offer the best of his wealth and prosperity?  Perhaps he offered the second-rate produce to God. 

This text, as well as so many others, is dealing with our attitude toward God.  Was Abel "more" perfect than Cain?  No.  But it seems that Abel's worship to God was accepted because he used the best of what he had to offer; thereby, honoring God for who He truly is - the provider of all blessings.

The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves

If you want to know what type of parent a child has just go to the mall on the weekend. I am saddened that parents let their young girls and boys be "watched" by no one.

In the minutes we were there we saw two girls having a slap fight in the street. We saw boys dancing for the girls. We saw young kids behaving like they were married and in the bedroom. We saw girls wearing clothes that prostitutes would wear. And we saw a lot of kids just waiting to be picked up by the parents who used the mall as a baby sitter.

Does your town or city have this problem? It probably does. Mine did even when I was a young kid.

Check scripture about the importance of teaching godliness to the young and helping others (especially parents) be humble in everything before the Lord.

The Lord's humbled
John A. Reeves

Parents train up your children . . . (Where is this scripture found?)