He said that Cain killed Abel over worship.
That is true.
In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve sinned, God sacrificed animals to create coverings from skin for Adam and Eve. The coats would provide better covering than the flimsy ones that Adam and Eve had created for themselves. They were durable and covered the nakedness that sin had brought to Man.
The fig coverings that Adam and Eve made were inadequate covering for them. So is it when we try, by our works or our assumptions of righteousness, to cover our sins. Salvation from sin is by the Grace of God. It is not by works, least any should boast. There is nothing that we can do of and by ourselves that would redeem us from sins. All our good work profits us nothing. And our righteousness is like filthy rags before God.
Did God give instructions regarding atonement for sin to Adam and Eve? That is not recorded, and therefore, though likely, it can be assumed that He may not have provided instructions.
So, Adam and Eve departed from Eden, and started their family. They gave birth to Cain and Abel.
Perhaps they saw Cain as their hope of salvation from God, based on God's pronouncement that Eve's seed would crush the head of the serpent. Cain's name means "acquired", which was what Eve said: "I have gotten a man from the Lord". Abel's name means "breath". (Campbell, 2011)
Then something interesting happens. The two sons brought offerings to God.
Cain and Abel demonstrated worship of God differently. Cain brought a vegetable offering, and Abel brought an offering of the first and best of his flock. These were the offerings they were presenting to God. And it appears that they brought their offerings to an appointed place. It could be that they saw Adam worshipping at this place, but there is no account of this. It is likely that this place could have been at or near the guarded gate of Eden. Again, though, there is no account of where this act of worship took place.
Genesis 4 records the beginning of sacrifice.
Genesis 4:4
Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offeringHebrews 11:4
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel's offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. NIVBarnes' commentary demonstrates the difference between the two offerings to God. One was a "presentation of things without life, the other a sacrifice of life". Vegetation, versus a creature in which there had been life. 1 John 3: 12 refers to Abel as being righteous, but Cain as being a worker of evil.
Sin had introduced death to the paradise that Man had enjoyed. It was now to be through the shedding of blood that redemption would come to Mankind.
Abel was humble and contrite as he presented his offering to God - an offering that required the shedding of blood as an atonement for sin. Paul called it an offering of faith that was more acceptable than Cain's offering.
Cain reaped his harvest and decided to present an offering to God. He took of his plants, fruits, and seeds, and brought these as an offering to God. It was likely an abundant offering, and he was possibly quite pleased with himself for the greatness of what he brought to God.
However, Abel came in his sinful state with an offering that was humble and sincere and that he hoped would provide payment for his sinful state - the shedding of blood, the exchange of life (that mirrors Jesus taking our place and dying in our place to atone for our sin), the desire for mercy from a mighty God. God saw the intent of their hearts and the sincerity of their offerings, and He was very pleased with Abel's offering - thus accepting it.
Cain became angry as a result of the pride of his heart. But God gave him opportunities to examine himself, and do what was right.
The commentators agree that God's admonition in Genesis 4: 7 - "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it" refer to the relationship between Cain and Abel. According to the commentators, Cain's place as first born and his birthright are not being usurped by Abel, and so there was no reason for Cain to be angry at or jealous of Abel. (Biblos.com)
Instead of Cain examining himself, making amends to God, and bringing an acceptable offering to God, he went out into the field with his brother, engaged him in an argument, and then killed him. And when God asked him about his brother, he expressed contempt for his brother when he asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The rest of the story, we know.
Abel made an offering of faith to God. He approached God sincerely, with his heart attuned to Him. It was an offering of love. It was an act of worship. And God accepted the offering.
When we approach God, we must be sincere and contrite and provide the acceptable offering. According to Romans 12:1, spiritual worship involves living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God. That was the difference between Abel's offering and Cain's.
Reference:
Behind the Name, 2011. The etymology and history of first names. Retrieved August 7, 2011 from http://www.behindthename.com/name/abel
Biblos.com, 2011. Genesis 4:7. Retrieved August 7, 2011 from http://bible.cc/genesis/4-7.htm
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