How God evaluates Faithfulness

Read Malachi 2.

The Holy Spirit guided the Apostle Paul to write, "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."  The immediate context of that statement has to do with the stewardship of the God-given message and ministry.  Indeed, all of life is a stewardship from God.  And, each person will be held accountable for how well they managed all that God gave to them.

Malachi presents a series of indictments directly from God.  Chapter two addresses three areas of failure to be good and faithful stewards.

1. Faithful to God. (vv.1-9)
After revealing the sloppy and sinful manner in which the business of the Temple was being conducted, God next spoke pointedly to the priests.  "This is a command for you."  God's name had been treated with disrespect.  His word was not followed.  These priests had violated their calling and charge.  The LORD established the priesthood with the tribe of Levi.  He made a "covenant of salt" (Numbers 18) with instructions on what they were to do and how it was to be done.  Instead, these men only had a job and went through the motions, disregarding God's word and expectations.  Their service was to flow from a heart that desired to "honor my name" (v.2).

In great contrast, the LORD reviewed the qualities of one who would serve Him faithfully.
-"He stood in awe of my name."  The very mention of God's name should strike a holy respect.
-"True instruction was in his mouth."  They were to teach God's word and not vary from the truth with the changes in culture, personal opinions, or what other thought.  See also verse 9.
-"...walked with me in peace and uprightness."  This refers to how one lives their personal life.  Living for God will be visibly evident to everyone.
-"He turned away from iniquity."  Sin in one's life is not to be rationalized on any level.  It is not to be tolerated.  It is a spiritual cancer to be shunned.

2. Faithful to one another. (vv.10-12)
This nation of Jews shared a physical and spiritual heritage.  By creation, God was their Father and they had a human obligation to each other.  By calling and covenant, they traced their family tree to Abraham.  They obviously were not treating each other as family.  The LORD had provided specific instructions concerning their behaviors toward one another, but they ignored them.

In the New Testament, the family of God is determined by mutual faith in Jesus.  The term "one another" appears repeatedly in the instructions about Christian behavior.  The true Christian life is lived in dependence on and serving each other.

3. Faithful to one's spouse. (vv.13-16)
They questioned God as to why He did not bless them after all they did for Him.  He responded with their lack of faithfulness to their marriage vows.  First and foremost, they had intermarried with those who did not have a mutual commitment to the LORD.  This is forbidden in both the Old and New Testaments and shows a lack of faithfulness to God.  Marriage is a covenant relationship of a man and a woman before God for life.  The NIV translates verse 16 this way: "'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel."

Each time, the indication is that their worship and offerings were meaningless and rejected due to their lack of obedience in these areas.  May we daily live throughout each day faithful to the assignment and relationships He has given to us.