The Pride Pit

"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, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast" (Gen 4:3-5)

Cain was upset because his brother brought "fat portions" from his flock for an offering and pleased the Lord while he brought simply "some of his fruits" and did not receive that favor.  His pride was hurt, not because of Cain's faithfulness but because of his own lack of it.

Cain's lack of favor was born out of his focus on self rather than God and the downward pull of his pride of self brought him to a place where killing his perceived rival and brother was considered preferable to changing his attitude and his offering to God.

Cain wasn't favored by God because he had more or superior offerings to present, he was favored because he chose to give the best of what he had: "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Cor 8:12).

The pit Cain found himself, which made deeper and darker by killing his brother, was being dug with the shovel of personal pride that continued to be concern only with self. The downward look of "navel-gazing" keeps one from looking up to God and release from the pit, for "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Pr16:18).

You don't have to be better or even as good as anyone else before God. His favor is not based on The outcome of competition but rather on the condition of one's heart. When we humbly approach God, presenting our best (not the best), he receives our offering raises us up in his presence "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matt 23:12).

Don't live in the pride pit, humble yourself before God, elevate others instead of seeking the spotlight on self, let God lift you up and walk in the light of his love.  Jus' Say'n.