Living In No-Man's-Land? 1

Genesis 4:1-25
There is a saying; "Sin will take you further than you want to go, it will keep you longer than you want to stay and it will costs you more than you want to pay." This story brings out that truth in a powerful way.

Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Able. Cain was a farmer and Able was a herdsman. Cain brought an offering in time to God; Able brought an offering from the first-born animals of his herd. God was pleased with Abel's offering but was displeased with Cain's.

God's displeasure with Cain's offering stimulated jealousy in his heart. Why didn't Cain ask God to show him the reason for his displeasure? Why did Cain choose to take the path of anger and jealousy towards his brother Able? He saw him in the field and chose to kill him. (8)

Let's look at one reason this man ended up living in no man's land.

He ignored the fact that God wasn't pleased with his bringing his own offering. Why was God displeased with Cain's offering? What's the big deal here? Notice that God says that Able brought to him his firstlings of his flock or his first-born. NASV 4:4 it says; "Cain in the course of time brought God and offering." NASV 4:3

God wants your First-Fruit. God's not interested in becoming second or third or in forth place. It's easy to put your job, your marriage, and your kids before your relationship with God. Ask yourself; "Is God first in my life?

God tells us in Malachi 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse." God doesn't say to bring in the tithe after paying the electric bill, and the car payment, the insurance, the boat payment. When you get around to it.

 No, God tells us that he wants the first-fruit, He wants to have first place in your heart. God says; "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." When I buy a stock for an investment, I tend to watch closely if the stock goes up or down.

God is saying, where you put your money, that is where your heart will be. You will follow after where you have placed your money. Cain's first mistake was that when he got around to giving and offering to God, he brought it when he got ready.

God says; No, that's not going to work. That was his first mistake that led him to into no man's land. Ask yourself today; " Is He really first in my life?" It's only when He becomes first in our lives that we can live under the blessings and the favor of God on our lives. Were there other reasons he ended up living in no mans land?
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