Cain's story in Genesis 4 provides the earliest biblical illustration of a selfish attitude and its consequences. When Cain and Abel each brought offerings to God, Abel presented the firstlings of his flock and their fat, a costly, living sacrifice that expressed complete devotion to God and willingness to lay down his life. Cain, by contrast, brought only a grain offering, which apart from an accompanying animal sacrifice symbolized devotion to mankind rather than to God. This revealed that Cain's underlying attitude was oriented toward himself; he was, in modern terms, humanistic or selfish, unwilling to give God his best. God's rejection of Cain's offering was not arbitrary but reflected His judgment on Cain's inward orientation. When God did not accept his offering, Cain became angry and his countenance fell, confirming that his attitude was centered on self-satisfaction rather than obedience. God's response to Cain exposed the danger of this selfish disposition: Cain had no right to be angry, since he knew what was required and simply failed to do it; his anger itself placed him in danger of sin, since sin was "crouching at the door" ready to overwhelm him; and though the struggle against this selfish impulse would be difficult, Cain possessed the ability to rule over it and choose rightly. Tragically, he failed to master this selfish attitude, allowing it to fully take hold, which led him to murder his brother. This account establishes a foundational principle: a selfish attitude, oriented toward pleasing oneself rather than God, leaves a person exposed to sin and rebellion. Cain's punishment—being sent away from where God was working—was fitting, since he had effectively declared through his offering that he did not need God. His selfish orientation was thus the root cause of his moral failure, demonstrating that when a person's underlying disposition is fixed on self rather than on sacrificial obedience to God, it inevitably produces destructive outcomes. The broader teaching contrasts this selfish, self-focused attitude with the sacrificial, obedient, humble attitudes exemplified by Abel, Caleb, and ultimately Jesus Christ, all of whom oriented their lives toward pleasing God rather than themselves. Cain's example thus serves as a warning at the very outset of human history that an attitude centered on self, rather than on reverence and godly fear toward the Father, leads away from acceptance by God and toward spiritual ruin.