Yes, Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because he offered it by faith, doing what God instructed, whereas Cain did not.
Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God had commanded, demonstrating faith and obedience, which God accepted. Cain brought a bloodless, self-willed offering from the ground, which God rejected. Hebrews 11:4 confirms that it was Abel's faith, not merely his sacrifice, that made it more excellent.
Hebrews 11:4 — This verse explicitly states that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith.
Genesis 4:3-5 — This is the original account showing the two different sacrifices and God's response to each.
<p>In Genesis 4, we read that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground as an offering to the Lord, while Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering, but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. This shows that God accepted Abel's sacrifice but rejected Cain's.</p><p>Hebrews 11:4 explains why: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts." Thus, Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered in faith, which implies obedience to God's revealed will. Cain's offering, by contrast, was not of faith and thus not accepted.</p>
<p>Les Feldick emphasizes that Abel's sacrifice was superior because he did what God said to do—bring a blood sacrifice—whereas Cain rationalized and brought a bloodless offering of his own choosing. He points out that God had instructed them that a blood sacrifice was required for acceptance, but Cain deceived himself into thinking that a beautiful sacrifice of his own works would suffice.</p><p>Les highlights Hebrews 11:4, showing that it was Abel's faith—taking God at His word—that made his sacrifice excellent. He contrasts Cain's self-will and pride with Abel's obedience, noting that Cain refused even when God provided a lamb. This illustrates the broader principle that salvation and acceptance with God are always by faith, not by human effort, a truth that continues today.</p>
<p>The key difference was that Abel brought a blood sacrifice from his flock, as God had instructed, while Cain brought a bloodless offering from the ground. Les explains that Cain's sacrifice could not shed blood and was of self-will, while Abel's was the best of his flock. Because Abel obeyed God's instruction, his sacrifice was accepted; Cain's rationalized, self-deceived approach was rejected.</p>
<p>Les says Cain rationalized, deceiving himself into thinking God would accept him without the blood. He brought a beautiful sacrifice of his own works, but God rejected it. Even when God provided a lamb and told Cain to bring it, Cain refused, showing pride and unwillingness to do God's way. This illustrates that human reasoning cannot replace God's prescribed way of approach.</p>
<p>Les draws a parallel to today: people often think they need to clean up their lives before God can save them, but salvation is by faith alone, not by works. He says the human race hasn't changed—people still rationalize and try to approach God on their own terms. Just as Abel was accepted by faith, individuals must believe on Him who justifies the ungodly, taking God at His word.</p>
Faith vs. Works in Salvation
Les explains that Abraham was justified by faith alone, not by works, and that those who work think God owes them, but those who believe are justified even when ungodly—highlighting that salvation is by faith, not human effort.
Abel's Faith
Les directly quotes Hebrews 11:4 and emphasizes that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because of his faith, not the sacrifice itself.
Cain's Rationalization
Les explains that God required a blood sacrifice, but Cain rationalized and deceived himself, thinking God would accept him without blood. Abel did what God said, and by faith he was accepted.
Two Different Sacrifices
Les contrasts Cain's bloodless, ground-grown offering with Abel's blood sacrifice from the flock, showing that Cain's could not shed blood and that God rejected it.
Faith as Taking God at His Word
Les defines faith as taking God at His word and says that by such faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice and obtained witness that he was righteous.
God's Provision of a Lamb
Les notes that Abel brought a blood sacrifice as God instructed and was accepted, while Cain brought a bloodless, self-willed sacrifice and was rejected, even when God provided a lamb for him.
Cain's Refusal to Obey
Les explains that God had told them that when conscience convicted them, they should bring a blood sacrifice, and Abel did by faith, but Cain rationalized and brought his own works, leading to rejection.
God's Grace to Cain
Les shows that even after Cain's rationalization, God offered him a provided sacrifice, but Cain's pride prevented him from accepting it, illustrating that God's way is gracious but must be followed.
Genesis 4:3-5: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
This is the foundational account showing the two offerings and God's acceptance and rejection.
Hebrews 11:4: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
This verse explicitly states that Abel's sacrifice was more excellent because it was offered by faith.
Abel brought a blood sacrifice from his flock as God had instructed, while Cain brought a bloodless offering from the ground. Abel's sacrifice was offered by faith and obedience, whereas Cain's was self-willed and rationalized.
Hebrews 11:4 says it was by faith that Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice. Faith here means taking God at His word, and Abel did exactly what God had said to do, which Cain did not.
Les teaches that just as Abel was accepted by faith, our acceptance with God is by faith alone, not by our own efforts or good works. People today still rationalize, thinking they need to clean up their lives first, but salvation is by faith in the work of the cross.
Watch the Teaching: Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works