As we look back into the Old Testament we find many examples that point to Jesus as the Messiah, the sacrifice God made for mankind. We also find examples that point to the difference between the works that men do as they try to please God and the works of God.
Open your Bible and consider Genesis 3:17 through 4:5. When Cain and Abel, Adam's two sons, brought sacrifices before the LORD, Cain brought a sacrifice called "The fruit of the soil." He did this because He was a tiller of the ground, that which was cursed. This was not acceptable with God; not only was it from the cursed ground, it was produced by Cain's hands.
Abel, a keeper of the sheep, brought the firstlings of his flock as a sacrifice to God. This was pleasing to the LORD. It was a blood sacrifice, a sacrifice of life. (See Leviticus 17:14, the life is in the blood.) It was also a sacrifice made without hands. (See Mark 14:58).
Relate Cain and Abel to your life. Are you trying to please God by your works, or, are you trying to please God by following the example He set for you; that of letting the Holy Spirit work through you?
Look at this in another way and ask, "Am I expecting God to help me as I work and struggle to produce a good life for myself, or have I turned everything over to Him?" Then ask, "Do I conduct my business in a way that it is pleasing to God?" Ask a third question, "Am I expecting God to open doors and close doors of opportunity for me, or am I trying to do everything by myself and, when all else fails, call upon Him?"
God established a simple program for us. If we give our entire life into His hands, including all of our livelihood, we are blessed. If we allow Him to lead us through doors that He opens and avoid the doors he closes, we are blessed. If we trust Him in all things, we will have peace and His blessings will overtake us. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalms 5:12).
Jesus prayed that we would be one with Him and His Father. (John, Chapter 17:20-24). This means that we can cast down our prideful thinking in return for the mind of Christ. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:1-16). However, this will not happen until we realize that being inferior to God leaves us with the inability to understand Him or His ways. This is where faith comes into action. By the Holy Spirit, we are taught the ways of the LORD, and His ways are higher than man's ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When we take on the mind of Christ, we become givers instead of takers. This brings to us the blessing written into God's program. (Luke 6:38). His word never changes. Therefore, when we give time, money and/or love to others, we receive an increase of these things. The more we give, the more we become like Christ. In return, He gives back to us in a bountiful increase. However, we must not give for the purpose of receiving an increase; we must give because it is the nature of the LORD and His people.
There are too many factors in life that we cannot control. Without God, we cannot help ourselves without eventual destruction. Think about health; we have little control over disease. Think about money; we can pack it away for years, and overnight it can be lost. Think about property; we can get and hold on to property, but one day we will leave it behind. However, when we trust in the LORD, His grace goes into action. He cares for us and provides for us with endless measure. The things which He gives to us are secure, and afterwards we have everlasting life.
As God's Spirit moves upon us to do something, He provides an opportunity to carry out the mission. Noah, Abraham, David, Jonah, Apostles and Philip are all outstanding examples. When you feel that God is moving upon you to do something, knock on that door and see if it comes open, but remember you cannot hear God through the clutter of the world. You must spend time with Him in order to be instructed by Him.