That’s How It Works! - All The Word for Today Daily Devotionals for 2026

‘The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering: but for Cain and his offering He had no regard.' Genesis 4:4-5 NASB

Cain cultivated the ground, planted the seed, gathered the harvest, and offered God the fruits of his labours. It seems likely that he thought God would be impressed, and that He would feel obligated to bless him. But that's not how it works!

Abel, on the other hand, obviously had a different attitude. Perhaps he told God, ‘I did nothing. You created the lamb I'm offering. I'm just giving You back what's Yours, and asking You to bless it.' And God did!

You can tell a lot about somebody by how they approach God. Some of us act like God owes us something. Others among us are so impressed with our spiritual status and accomplishments that we feel the need to approach Him with lofty phraseology and high-sounding ‘thees' and ‘thous'. But God isn't impressed, so let's get real!

‘The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.' Clearly Abel wasn't seeking credit for anything. He wanted God to have all the glory. That's the kind of offering that moves God's heart and invites His richest blessing upon our lives. So what are you offering God today? Your achievements? Your denominational credentials? Your self-reliance? Your shallow emotion?

If you are, don't bother! The only thing He asks is that you humbly open your heart and let Him recreate you in the likeness of Jesus. When you do that, something wonderful happens. By downplaying your own self-interests and giving God an acceptable offering, not only will He receive and respect it, He will bless you and equip you to bless others too. That's how it works!

SoulFood: Luke 2:8-20, Pro 3:13-18, Ps 119:161-168