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.”
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?” Genesis 4
It doesn't take long for ingratitude to take root in our lives, or in the heart of man. Cain was envious of the "special treatment" he thought God was giving Abel. He compared. His reaction went deeper than mere jealously; he went to extreme envy: "If I cannot have God's fully approval, neither can Abel; I'll make sure of it." Of course the plan did not work; Cain lost even more of what he could have had - what God wanted to give him. The same is true of us. Ingratitude leads to comparing which leads to envy which leads to death and separation from those who truly love us. May we die to envy, and live a life of gratitude.
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