Genesis 4:1-5 (…the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and his offering, He had no respect.) (AMP)

God is never unrighteous. It is unrighteous to play favorites. God had a reason for accepting Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. The scriptures do not make the reason clear. Modern scholars reading backward into time believe the reason is found in Abel’s offering being a blood sacrifice, and Cain’s offering being fruit. However at this point in scripture the system of blood sacrifice has not yet been ordained. Based on what is written in the scriptures these offerings were voluntary, and there were no requirements to be met.

I believe the reason Cain’s offering was unacceptable is found in what is written. “Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground.” Not everyone will agree with me on this, but I believe “fruit of the ground” had a special meaning.

When I was a child we would go to an apple orchard in the fall. We would buy apples and then we would wrap then in newspaper. We would store them in the pump room, and would eat apples for much of the winter. At the orchard they would let us pick up the apples that had fallen to the ground. They sold those apples for half the price of the apples on the tree. Falling to the ground often bruised and damaged them and they were worth less than fruit of the tree.

I believe God did not respect Cain’s offering because it was not his best. God will not honor us when we attempt to honor him with anything other than our best.