Why do you feel God did not accept Cains sacrifice, and how can we apply the lessons from this story in our lives today?

By Pastor Ken Burisek, The Ole Country Church, Medford, Wisconsin
Email: kburisek@taylorelectric.org
Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV), 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 master it.
The Bible tells us that Cain was angry at his brother Abel because God accepted Abels sacrifice but God rejected Cains. Cain had a hissey-fit and walked around angry and pouted. Hey - think about it - when we have a bad day and everythings going wrong, our face will show it! Remember that little chorus If youre happy and you know it then your face will surely show it...! Theres a whole heap of truth in that little song! Amen!
Gods Word tells us that if we do whats RIGHT, well be accepted! God knew Cains heart and what was behind his motives and actions. God wasnt necessarily only honoring Abels sacrifice itself - God honored Abels sacrifice because Abel gave his sacrifice from his heart because he loved God.
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus tells the story about the widow and the mite, where the rich man put in a large sum of money and the widow put in a few pennies. God knew the rich man gave only to impress those around him and he also gave from his abundance. The widow, on the other hand, gave out of her love for the Lord and gave out of her need - it was everything she had. Both Cain and Abel ...