By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

It is correct to observe, I believe, that faith gives. Indeed, that faith is willing to give its very best. Faith is always involved in giving. This includes trusting God to meet our needs, and also trusting Him to use what we have given for His own purposes.

But the most important point to make here is that it is by faith (in Jesus) that we also come to be regarded as ”righteous” before God. In Scripture faith and righteousness always go together. They are conjoined – inseparable. On this point Abel speaks to us today, even though he is long dead.

We can no doubt think of others today who, although are no longer with us, still speak to us. We remember them with gratitude.