October 3, 2025

THE STATE OF OUR HEART

Genesis 4:7

“Did you not sin, even though you brought it rightly, but did not divide it rightly? Be still; his recourse shall be to you; and you shall rule over him.”

Personal Challenge

As I was growing up, I always thought Cain got the raw end of the deal with his offering to God. It was not until I converted to Eastern Orthodoxy that I got the rest of the story. The early church fathers showed in the Scriptures that the problem with Cain’s offering was not in the content but the intent. His heart was not no the spirit of giving a gift to God. It was given begrudgingly, and therefore not acceptable to God. God cares more about the state of our hearts than He does about the content of our offering. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!