In the Scriptural story of Cain and Abel, each brought an offering to the Lord. We read, "The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect;" and "Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."
In her interpretation of this incident, Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 540, 541): "Cain is the type of mortal and material man, conceived in sin and 'shapen in iniquity;' he is not the type of Truth and Love. Material in origin and sense, he brings a material offering to God. Abel takes his offering from the firstlings of the flock. A lamb is a more animate form of existence, and more nearly resembles a mind-offering than does Cain's fruit. Jealous of his brother's gift, Cain seeks Abel's life, instead of making his own gift a higher tribute to the Most High." Abel is defined thus (ibid., p. 579): "Watchfulness; self-offering; surrendering to the creator the early fruits of experience."
Mrs. Eddy placed watchfulness first in her definition of Abel. She had learned that humility, self-offering, and love need the protection of wise watchfulness. Jesus also knew the importance of watchfulness. He was ever watchful lest he be tempted to acknowledge that the Son—man's real individuality—could be separated from the Father. At different times he admonished his disciples to watch that they be not deceived by the machinations of material sense.
