We are all pioneering an idea or concept somewhere.  It may not be totally new but we are all putting our own spin on things.

Genesis 4:1-26

Reference:  v.2b Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Last year Hamish & Andy - two Australian radio hosts - invited their friend to do a weekly segment describing his new ideas.  Their mate had come up with lots of interesting concepts that he thought would work, if someone was willing to put some money behind it.  From memory, some of his ideas included a work chair that you could exercise on and a website where you could make a bet on the weather.  The ideas were usually quite bizarre but Hamish & Andy's mate did his best to sell the concept to any perspective investors that were listening.  It was quite amazing however that on numerous occasions people would call up not to invest but to inform everyone that the product or idea already existed.  It was actually quite challenging to come up with something entirely new.

Application:  Pioneering is quite a challenging task.  Often we find that someone has come through before us to do something bigger and better.  Cain and Abel, on the otherhand, were real pioneers.  It seems they were the first to start farming.  They were also the first recorded to give a 'tithe', an offering to the Lord.  We are all pioneering an idea or concept somewhere.  It may not be totally new but we are all putting our own spin on things.  It's always good, however to glean ideas and concepts from other people and add them to our own activities.  Cain faltered.  Instead of adopting Abel's generosity in giving he was threatened by it.  As we do our work and worship God, may we learn from Cain's mistake and be willing to learn from others and not be threatened by them.

Prayer:  Lord, we can often feel intimidated by other people and their actions.  Help us to see that we can learn from others, even if we are pushing out into new areas.  Amen.

What area do you feel you are a pioneer?  What can you learn from others to assist you in your pioneering area?