“And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering” (Genesis 4:4, NIV).

     Halloween is here. I’ve been tasked with purchasing the treats for Beggar’s Night at our house. Yippee. The assignment is a daunting challenge for me. Choosing the right candy can mean the difference between a genuine “Thank you” or cleaning toilet paper out of the trees the next day.

     Smart School House, a website that offers unique recipe ideas, has posted various categories for distributing Halloween candy. There is the “Party-pooper,” who offers healthy options like bananas, apples, raisins, and dental floss.   Party-poopers are known to be allergic to sugar and happiness.

     Then there is the “Cheapy McCheapface.” This is the distributor who gives out last year’s after-Halloween candy sales of Tootsie Rolls, Smarties, and Hubba Bubba bubble gum. Yuck.

     However, I am aiming this year to become the “Legend” in our neighborhood. The Legend buys the most sought-after delectables, such as Milky Way bars, Snickers, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Children will speak of my fabled generosity to their grandkids one day.

     I would hope that I put the same measure of thoughtful consideration into the gifts of time, money, and service I offer to God each day. The writer of Genesis 4:4 claims that Abel offered to God the first fruits of everything he possessed. Abel gave God his very best.

     In practical terms, giving God our very best means that we cannot compartmentalize our lives. There are no such things as me time, work time, and family time. All of life, in every way, and each moment must be seen as God’s time. Wherever we are and in whatever we do, we are to give God our first fruits, rather than our leftovers.

     The Scriptures claim that God so loved the world that He gave His very best. Why would we do anything less? How could we do anything less?