Thus, it became very obvious to all and especially to God that Cain was angry. Whatever it was, Cain believed that Abel was more blessed, more favored, more accepted, and more loved by God. Perhaps Abel had a nicer house, a bigger farm, finer clothes, or just a more comfortable life in general. Maybe these other people who miraculously seemed to be around at the time, preferred Abel’s leg of lamb, rack of lamb, lamb stew or lamb chops over Cain’s broccoli, cauliflower, rutabaga, and carrots. Perhaps Abel was better looking, more athletic, faster, had nicer teeth and hair.

Maybe he had less aches and pains, fewer allergies than Cain.

Maybe Abel enjoyed better health than Cain. We are not told exactly what happened to cause Cain to believe that God loved Abel more than him, why Cain believed that his offerings to God were for all for naught, but we can certainly make what I believe are some very fair assumptions. Then Cain learns something that all of us who have lived in this fragmented world know all too well. Abel offered the firstborn from one of the sheep he tended, and Cain offered the produce of his field that he grew and harvested with his own hands. And although these important farmers did not yet have a First Christian Church in their town where they could gather each week for worship, both worshipped their creator as faithfully as they knew how.īoth Cain worshipped God, put God first in their lives, gave thanks to their creator for the gift of life by offering the best of who they were: the best of their talents, abilities, and gifts. Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a tiller of the ground. At the time, they were holding down two of the most important jobs in the entire world, providing the sustenance needed for the propagation of humanity. I believe the story of the world’s first brothers has much to teach us about the unfairness of life.

Cain and abel sermon