Adam and Eve had two sons – Cain and Abel, who took on farming the land and raising cattle, respectively. At the time of sacrifice, they both gave offerings to the Lord, but Cain’s share was not received with favor.
A good parent loves his/her children equally. Imagine having two sons and one of them does better than the other. As a parent you are obligated to teach your children to do the right thing. If one of your sons makes a mistake, you are going to correct him for his own good. That does not mean that you love the one that did the right thing more than the other.
The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering
– Genesis 4:4
When Cain saw that his brother’s offering was pleasing to the Lord, he became jealous of Abel and killed him.
It sounds so cruel, but success can trigger negative response among our own family members. Money in itself is not a bad thing, but having it may cause a disruption in the family relationships, especially if you are the first in your family to become successful. Assuming that Cain was older than Abel, he probably thought that he is the first who brought the offering, but the his brother got a better part. The first are not always the best. Abel gave the better part and that in itself led to a better position in the eyes of God.
Suppose you are an investor and receive two proposals – one has the original thought/idea, but the second is executed better and will lead to a more profitable return of your investment. Which one will you choose?
When God heard the blood of Abel crying out, he placed a mark on Cain and drove him out of his presence. Now Cain was left wondering east of Eden. He lost his brother, God’s favor, and probably the relationship was his parents. He became a social outcast. And although he formed a family, he remain under a severe paranoia and a guilty consciousness.
Parents can not predict the future of their children even if they make equal deposits in their future – in terms of love, care, time, and money. They can provide the same education, life principles, and inheritance, but once they leave the parental care, children are on their own. If they turn against each other, the parents are always caught in the middle. It is not easy to be angry at your child even if s/he turns out to be a murder. No parent wants a murder for a child.
This punishment is too hard!” Cain said. You are making me leave my home and live far from you.
– Genesis 4:13-14
The Lord made a decree over Cain, assuring that if anyone kills him will be punished seven times worse. Cain received a mark of protection from enemies, but still had to leave the presence of God.
Cain had to go far from the Lord and live in the Land of Wandering, which is east of Eden.
– Genesis 4:16
Forgiveness does not change the consequences of the wrong done to others. The juridical system may determine someone innocent, but it doesn’t erase a guilty consciousness. Many times corruption creeps in the lives of people of authority, people who are able to avoid prison time due to a reserve of money and connections. They can take more risk and make more profit but that does not necessarily make it right.
Financial principles and life principles operate on different foundation and it is important to follow both – our desire to grow and become successful, while also understand and care for the needs of other.
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