Abel is murdered and Seth is born. He names his son Enosh, which means ‘weak’ or ‘mortal’ man. The awareness of their own weakness and dependence drives believers to prayer: “ At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26). The story of the descendants of Cain, on the other hand, is quite different—pride and self-confidence dominate their world. They build cities for themselves and increase their possessions without seeking the will of God (see Gen. 4:17–22).
We’re all in danger of making our lives as pleasant as possible in the world where the Son of God became poor and had nowhere to lay His head (see Mt. 8:20). How does this fit together? With just a few clicks, before you know it, you can spend a lot of money on nice things that make your life easier. Do you really take the time to check whether it’s God’s will or not? How easily does that not happen to us—we don’t seek God’s will and simply adopt the lifestyle of the world! Do we even acknowledge this? The exhortation: “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2) is a hot topic in our fast-moving consumer-oriented times!
- The Greek word in Matthew 8:20 for “lay” is the same as “bowed” in John 19:30. The only place here on earth where the Son of God could “lay” His head was on the cross.
After 4000 years of human history, the Son of God came to earth to dwell or tabernacle among mankind (see John 1:14 JND). As each went to his own house, He went to the Mount of Olives (see John 8:1). There the heavenly Stranger spent many nights, while during the day He devotedly served the people (see Luke 21:37). It was far from His intention to accumulate property in this world. On the contrary, He lived a very modest life, yet He was always satisfied because He had God as His inheritance (see Ps. 16:6).
At the feeding of the 4000, the Lord gave thanks both for the seven loaves of bread and for the few small fish that were brought to Him (see Mark 8:6–7). Another time He took five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, dependent and trusting, gave thanks and handed them to His disciples (see Mark 6:41). Although He gave generously in grace, so that there was abundance, He was at the same time careful that nothing was lost and asked His disciples to gather up the remaining leftovers (see John 6:12).
How does your life show that you’re not of the descendants of Cain? To what extent does your consumerism reflect your heavenly outlook on life? Be grateful and satisfied for that which God gives you daily and abundantly to be enjoyed (see 1 Tim. 6:17)!
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