In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering–fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, Genesis 4:3-4

There are many lessons we can learn from Cain and Abel, Why did God not favor Cains offering over Abels? First we read Cain brought “some of the fruits”, which means he most likely didn’t give God his “firstfruits”, he probably was giving God leftovers that he might not have used anyway. Whereas Abel sacrificed the firstborn of his flock, which as a shepherd probably meant a lot to him

See God wants all of your heart, he doesn’t want your left overs or after thoughts. God wants us to make him our highest priority, all he asks for is our heart.

but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? Genesis 4:5-6

When God was being honest with Cain, his ego was bruised. Jealousy and hatred began to fill Cain and eventually overtook Cains thoughts and actions. See this is how sin works, thoughts get planted into our head, then imagination, and then action. Instead of Cain learning humility and obedience he became self-obsessed with himself

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.” Genesis 4:7

God is teaching Cain a lesson here, get control of your sins before your sins control you. But wasn’t Cain doing what was right? Not really, he half-heartedly coming to God instead of giving of his whole self. We need to learn, it’s not what we give to God it’s that whatever you do it’s for the Glory of God in Jesus Name Amen