Are You Giving For The Right Reasons? test

Welcome to The Bible Money Journal, a brief for Christian professionals who want to learn more about God’s ways of managing money. In each edition, I share a verse, a story, and a money lesson to help you in your journey.

This brief is a resource for navigating the scriptures through the lens of financial planning and learning how to apply them in your life.

Let’s get started!

Genesis 4:3-7
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

Giving points straight at your heart

Envy. Intrigue. Murder.

We are barely on chapter 4, and the human heart is exposed to awful things. Unfortunately, the author of Genesis doesn’t give us much about Cain’s character.

We read about Abel offering a sacrifice to God from the best of what he had. We aren’t given much detail about Cain or his sacrifice, but it is set up in stark contrast as not being acceptable to the Lord

We can infer that Cain did not give the best portions of what he had. He performed the mechanical exercise of presenting “some of his crops” to check the box. Can you relate?

I certainly can. I can tell you with confidence that there have been times when I didn’t give God the best portion of what I had. Cain was rejected for giving the leftovers or for having fake generosity, but God gave him an out — You will be accepted if you do what is right.

You and I are just like Cain

It’s very tempting to look at that story and gloss over it, thinking we would be more like Abel than Cain. But this story is so much more. It serves as a warning about how far our sin can take us away from God. Cain’s offering was just a symptom of a much deeper issue.

How are we more like Cain than Abel?

Becoming more like Abel

No matter where you are, I want to encourage you with this. Be like Abel:

👐 Give the best that you have

Plan the things you want to support and commit to making it the first item in your budget. Adjusting by moving it from the bottom to the top sends a clear signal to your heart that giving is essential to you.

👐 Give for the sake of others

Give without expecting anything in return.

👐 Give because God gave you everything

When we remember that God owns everything, generosity is easy and joyful. We always have more than we deserve.

Leo Marte is a Christian financial advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Abundant Advisors provides financial advice for Christians with convenient virtual meetings. Let’s talk if you are ready to make the next move.