“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’ Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”
– Genesis 4:6-8
Yesterday we looked at the story of Cain and Abel and how we can learn what it means to give God our best and not our leftovers. Today, I want to talk about one more thing from their story that can help us to excel in our work — don’t make excuses. Interestingly, after God rejected Cain’s sacrifice, he gave him a chance to do better — to renounce sin, change the attitude of his heart, and bring the right kind of offering. However, instead of accepting that offer, Cain became extremely jealous of his brother and plotted to kill him. Thus, the fallen world’s first murder took place, all because of Abel’s excellence and Cain’s lack! Unfortunately, Cain’s thinking is still very prevalent in the world today. It’s common to look at others and say that they have an attitude of entitlement or a victim mentality, but we fail to look at ourselves and honestly admit that we have the same problem. It’s easy to feel envious and embittered when someone gets a promotion or a recognition that we were craving. It’s difficult to examine our own attitudes and to confess that we haven’t really given our best effort. Since we are human, not every day will be stellar, but when our work is worship to Jesus, it will always be excellent in His eyes! Friend, don’t look for excuses as to why you haven’t done your best at work, simply confess and turn it around. Give the Lord the “fatted portions” of your life, your energy and your talents and stop blaming others. Instead, make everything you do an act of worship that brings glory in the name of Jesus! |
Prayer
Jesus, I give you my best today and ask that you would receive it as an act of worship and proper sacrifice.
Reflection
Take a moment to examine your heart. Do you struggle with resentment toward someone’s excellence and/or promotion, like Cain did?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.
