My wife and I had an interesting conversation this morning about Cain’s children. We both had wondered why it is that the children of Cain seem to be the ones really making a difference in the world. They began metalworking and music, among other things. Were these guys just smarter than the rest? And, what about Seth’s descendants? Were they just less talented? Noah sure seems to have been smart, to be able to put the Ark together. So why the disparity?
Well, fist of all, this disparity could be nothing more than just humility on the part pf the descendants of Seth. Or, it could have been that the accomplishments of Seth’s kids just didn’t make it into the early oral history. Perhaps it was a bit of both.
But there is another phenomenon in play. Among those who ignore the Lord in their lives, there is a profound sense of the necessity to make a name for oneself. This life being all there is, the world must somehow remember each life to make it valuable. These individuals tend to see their life as more valuable than that of others, but yet must look to others to enshrine them in the end.
Therefore, the worldly among us will always strive to do more and be more. Or, at least they will do what gets them noticed, and be what demands respect from others. But they will spend almost no time thinking of their eternal destiny. Caught up in this life, they have no time for the next. They do not allow their minds to reach beyond that which is seen to the unseen. For them what is faith, truth, or love, but illusions?
There are those for whom the world is not enough, and there are those for whom it is all they will ever strive for. The truth, however, is that it matters not what you live for, but Who.