Legacy Lessons W/Vance K. Jacksonনমুনা

“And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering” Genesis 4:4 KJV

Abel made a choice to give God his best. Abel brought the firstlings unto God. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Hebrew word for ‘firstlings’ (bᵊḵôrâ - H1062) means: “Birthright, primogeniture, right of the first-born.”

What a powerful statement. Abel, the second-born of Adam and Eve, applied the principle of the birthright—Abel offered his first. The heart of Abel was to offer God his best. Though Abel was the second-born, he honored the principle that belonged to the firstborn. He gave the choice part and the fat thereof.

Abel not only gave the firstling, but he gave the fat—in excess. When you give God your best—He will give you His Best. The returns are endless. Abel gave God the first of his flock, and God honored him by accepting his offering. That choice position, which belonged to his brother Cain as the firstborn, was honored by God through Abel’s sacrifice.

When Cain saw that God accepted the sacrifice of Abel—he was furious. Cain held the position of the firstborn. Cain held the title, but he didn’t have the heart. Sometimes, you may not have the title of the first, the prominent ranking, or the position—but when you give God your best—He rewards you as if you held the title. God rewards based upon the heart.

The heart of Abel was pure, and he honored God in his offering. Abel was a keeper of sheep. Abel honored God in his field. Abel honored God in his industry. God honors the heart, and He rewards the diligent. According to Strong’s Concordance, Abel’s name means, ‘breath’’ (H1893). Abel was God’s breath.

Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and the breath of God in the Earth. When God breathes upon your sacrifice—others may envy your success. God breathed through Abel’s sacrifice, and Cain despised him. God breathed through Abel’s sacrifice, and Cain resented him. Envy and resentment produce murder—murder of vision, murder of opportunity, murder of purpose, murder of destiny, murder of Promise.

When envy rules you—your heart worships an illusion. Envy is coveting something or someone that doesn’t belong to you. God gave you a measure of talent and success. God gifted you with unique gifts, skills, talents, abilities and resources. To covet someone else’s journey diminishes what God has already done through you.

To covet another person’s journey or another’s story is to diminish what God has done through the work of your hands. Cain and Abel both offered sacrifices—however, only one was accepted. May God breathe upon the work of your hands. May He breathe upon your sacrifice. May He breathe upon your heart to do His Work in the Earth.

Abel presented the first and the choice part. Abel honored God with his gifts. But Cain worshipped his possessions more than he honored God. In fact, according to Strong’s Concordance, Abel’s name also means ‘possession’ (H7014). Cain focused more on hoarding his possessions than honoring God with his whole heart.

Abel knew that God was the Chief Shepherd of the Earth—and all things submitted to Him. It’s your choice. Like Cain, you can worship the possessions of this world and limit your authority and legacy. Or, like Abel, you can choose to honor God with the firstlings and establish your legacy.

The legacy of Abel still reigns to this day. Cain had a choice. Abel had a choice. Adam and Eve had a choice. Even though Adam and Eve made a mistake—the next generation had a choice.

Cain chose to submit to the cycle of sin and death. Abel submitted to God and broke the cycle of thorns and thistles. You choose. Obedience breaks cycles of sin. The judgment of one generation does not have to be the sentence of your generation. You have a choice.