What does Sacrifice mean to God?

Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had no respect. And Cain was very wroth and his countenance fell.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

The first recorded sacrifice to God and what God expects of our sacrifice. Many initially think, when they recall the story without referring to it, is that God accepted Abel's sacrifice because it was an animal, and rejected Cain's because his was not an animal. Cain got angry about it and killed Abel because his sacrifice was better. This picture of the story, although true, has some critical missing parts to it. God rejected Cain's offering, when He saw that Cain's heart was not right. Abel's sacrifice was really not any better than Cain's, but God saw Abel's heart, that he was sincere, humble, and was giving out of his love for God instead of himself. Abel's faith in God, made his sacrifice complete. According to the scripture, Cain's heart was not right with God when he gave his sacrifice. Because his heart was not right, God rejected Cain's sacrifice. Cain could have brought an entire heard of sheep in there and "outdone" Abel's presentation, but God would have seen through to his heart and would have rejected it still.

We can give up our time, effort, and offerings. If we do this, or do not do this, by faith and with a humble heart, will it be rejected also? Can our salvation be considered a sacrifice to God?

Is it where our heart is as we earn it, prepare it, and how we present it to the Lord? What we give, or how much, is irrevellent to Him. The salvation that God offers is free. The perfect sacrifice has already been made. You can't give more than what God has already GIVEN to each of us. His mercy and grace of offering His Son Jesus. For you. For me. For everyone.

-iKe