It starts with one.

If you knew you only had one hour of life to live before you died, how would you spend that hour? If you knew you only had one day of activity left before you were paralyzed from the neck-down, how would you spend that day? If you knew you only had $100 to spend before you went bankrupt, how would you use that money?

Let’s flip the script a bit. If God asked you to give Him the last hour of your life, would you submit it willingly? If God asked you to perform a specific task on the last day of your life, would you do it? If God asked for you to give your last $100 to a specific cause, would you donate it?

Let’s flip the script one last time. How are you going to spend the next hour of your life? What activities will you spend your energy on in the next 24 hours? How will you spend the next $100 that you own?

In each of these scenarios, a level of faith is required.

Some more than others, of course, depending on the personal cost of our time, our energy, and our money. And the answers to these questions (if we answered honestly), tell a story about our character and the type of person we really are. More importantly, the answers to these questions tell a story about how much faith we have.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

Hebrews 11:4 (ESV)

By Faith, Abel shows us how to give our first and best to God. Not sure who Abel is? You can follow a footnote from Hebrews 11:4 back to Genesis 4:1-7.

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:1-7 (ESV)

As you can see, there was a big difference between their gifts. Cain gave some of what he had, but the text doesn’t specify that it was the first or best of his produce. Abel on the other hand gave his first (the firstborn of his flock) and best (the fat portions of that animal). Wondering why the “fat portions” are the best, just think about it in regards to a high-quality steak; it’s all about the marbling!

What’s the outcome of this situation?

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Genesis 4:8-12 (ESV)

Obviously, emotions of guilt and jealousy filled Cain’s heart, then he reacted in murder. Instead, he should have heeded God’s rebuke and changed his heart condition. Instead, he could have embraced thoughts of conviction and humility and acted in obedience. Unfortunately, his emotions led him down a road of serious repercussions and then, consequences.

What can we learn from Abel?

In our modern culture, we can make a choice to give the first and best of what we have. To make this a little easier, I like to break it down into three categories that everyone can grasp on some level: Time, Talent, and Treasure.

1. Will I give God the First & Best of my Time?

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m too busy to… (fill in the blank)!” What we’re really saying is, “I’m too busy to give God the first and best of my time!”

Instead, we should look at our schedules and calendars, and plugin places for prayer, Scripture, service and other forms of worship before they get clogged with everything else.

• Schedule your best time(s) for God first.

2. Will I give God the First & Best of my Talent?

Have you ever thought, “I’m too tired to… (fill in the blank)!” What we’re really saying is, “I’m too tired to give God the first and the best of my talent(s)!”

Instead, we should consider the gifts and abilities we have, and the energy levels both daily and weekly. What can you do/create/produce/accomplish for God and His mission, that you would normally centre on yourself or at work? When are we most awake and alive each day? Which day of the week are you at your best?

• Use your best talent(s) for God first.

3. Will I give God the First & Best of my Treasure?

Have you ever thought, “I’m too poor to… (fill in the blank)!” What we’re really saying is, “I’m too poor to give God the first and best of my treasure(s)!

Instead, we should take stock in what we have (not what we want, or even need). God is the provider of everything we have, so whether we have a little or lot, money or possessions, we should consider giving a portion to God. And we should never think about our stuff, as our stuff/things/belongings. We should be opened-handed with it all, ready to loan it to someone or give it away freely to anyone who needs it.

• Give your best treasure(s) to God first.

It takes faith to give God our first and best.

The truth is that every person on the planet has a certain amount of time, talent, and treasure. Most of the time, God won’t require all of it. But He often calls us to use what is first and what is best for His Gospel Mission. All of which requires a level of faith, to which Abel was commended for.

“God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

Hebrews 11:4b (ESV)

This considered we should all have a quiet moment of reflection (and perhaps conviction), and ask a couple of key questions:

• Where am I lacking?
  Where am I not giving God my first and my best?

You find out that it all starts with humility. Reminding ourselves that life, the very breath we take, is a gift. And that God gave us that life and breath to be in right relationship with Him.

Moreover, when we could not attain it through human means, He sent His Son, Jesus to make a way for us. And in that Gospel truth, we realize that we owe so much more than we’ve ever been required to pay. Therefore, having the faith to give the first and best of what we have is more than worth it!

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:

• What would it look like to give God your first and best?
• How would living by faith, impact this year?