JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Hebrews 11:4.

“By faith, Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.”

This event happened in Genesis chapter 4 among these two brothers. Abel kept flocks. Cain worked the soil. Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. Abel also brought an offering to the LORD-fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.

Abel’s offering was better for a number of reasons. First, Abel gave of his firstfruits. He gave his best to God. Second, His offering also consisted of a blood sacrifice, which was a foreshadow to the sacrifice that Jesus would offer at the cross. Third, Abel’s offering was given with pure motives. Worship is a matter of the heart. Where faith and love motivate us to worship, God is pleased with our sacrifices of praise.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to give God our very best from a heart that delights in Him in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com