Once in a long while, we will receive a gift that is a delight. Appropriate giving takes time and effort. Many people give a gift in order to have it over and done with—their duty completed. Some give gifts that appeal to them and not the recipient. Some gifts may be wonderful and even expensive, but so inappropriate that they show little or no concern from the giver—the gift of a mirror, for instance, to a blind man, a comb to a bald man or shoes to one who cannot walk. These will not bring a thank you or appreciation from the receiver.

Cain and Abel both had a gift to bring to God. Abel’s was a good gift; Cain’s was either bad or presented with a bad attitude. All that Cain was asked to do was to reconsider, and then bring an appropriate gift (Genesis 4:7). It would not have taken that much effort, but Cain chose not to comply.

Giving gifts with the receiver in mind is the key.