Give God Your Best, Not What’s Left

Before I became a mom, no one warned me how exhausted I would be—not just physically—mentally, emotionally, and often even spiritually. I mean, seriously—I only thought I was tired in college. I remember one evening after I had my son, I realized that I hadn’t spent time with the Lord in quite some time, so I said to myself, “I’m going to spend time with God first thing in the morning and make it my routine to start the day off right!”

That first alarm went off… snooze.

Second alarm… snooze.

Then the baby started crying.

I planned to spend time with God that night, but by the time nightfall came, I was once again too exhausted. This quickly became an unwanted habit in my life that I’m sure many of us have faced.

In Genesis 4, we read about two sons of Adam and Eve—Cain and Abel.

When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. (Genesis 4:2-5, NLT)

There are some arguments as to why Abel’s gift was accepted, and Cain’s was rejected by the Lord. Scripture says Cain presented “some” of his crops as his offering to God. Abel presented the best portions from the firstborn lambs. Abel gave God the best of the best because he believed that is what God deserved. Cain presented an offering that was an afterthought and didn’t put much effort into it. Abel gave God his best, while Cain gave what was left.

Further in the chapter, we read that Cain became so angry he killed his brother Abel. He believed God was showing favoritism, but all God really wanted was a pure and generous heart.

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?  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.” Genesis 4:6-7

I’m reminded of another story in the Bible of a poor widow who gave Jesus everything she had.

Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:42-44)

I came to a simple realization—God deserves my best. It may not always look the same, but if I want to give my best to everyone and everything else around me (looking at you, phone), then I need a serious heart pivot.

It’s so easy to have your attention pulled in a thousand different directions every moment of every day, but doesn’t our Father, Provider, Protector, Creator, and so much more, deserve our very best? If I have nothing else but Him, I have everything I could ever need.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.