What was the real difference between the offerings of Cain and Abel in the story of the first human family? The answer is a simple one, but it's not that Cain's grain was innately inferior  the grain Abel offered. Not at all. In fact, God said to Cain in the account in Genesis, " Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" (Genesis 4:6-7a)

Even if we read the story literally, the more likely fact is that Cain had probably been resentful of his younger brother for years. I've seen this dynamic happen in families when a second child enters the family dynamic.  I've also seen it happen in church life when an individual is singled out for some honor or special attention.

Anger and resentment gnaw that the core of the human spirit. Left to fester, they only grow and deepen. The antidote to this spiritual gangrene is the open and honest communication of genuine spiritual community. In truth, it could well have altered the course of events in our story of the first human family.

It wasn't innate quality in particular about Abel's gift that made it superior to that of his brother; it was the quality of the heart from which it was given and the faith with which it was offered that distinguished it from the offering of Cain.

May we in today's world, and in the church learn from the tragedy that befell these two brothers. May we resolve to always deal directly and honestly with one another, even when our neighbor's truth is sometimes difficult for us to hear. Then we will be on a healthier and more productive spiritual journey, one that will lead from blessing to blessing, into God's future and our own. The voice of faith never dies, but rather it continues speaking, always.