What actions demonstrate serving God versus not serving Him, according to Malachi 3:18? Verse in Focus “And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” – Malachi 3:18 Serving God – Actions Malachi Highlights • Fear His name and esteem Him (3:16) • Speak often with fellow believers about the Lord (3:16) • Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse; give God first and best (3:10; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2) • Offer unblemished sacrifices—give what costs something, not leftovers (1:8, 14) • Keep marriage vows; remain faithful to the spouse of your youth (2:14-16; cf. Hebrews 13:4) • Teach and live God’s Word accurately (2:6-7; cf. 2 Timothy 2:15) • Uphold justice: – Pay workers fairly – Protect widows, orphans, and foreigners (3:5) • Reject arrogance; walk humbly before Him (3:15; cf. Micah 6:8) • Serve with joy, not grudging duty (3:17; cf. Psalm 100:2) Not Serving God – Contrasting Actions • Withhold tithes and offerings—“robbing God” (3:8-9) • Bring blemished, second-rate sacrifices (1:13) • Lead others astray by distorting truth (2:8-9) • Break covenant by divorce for selfish gain or marry into idolatry (2:11, 14-16) • Practice sorcery, adultery, perjury (3:5) • Oppress laborers, widows, fatherless, and foreigners (3:5) • Speak harshly against God, calling service to Him “futile” (3:13-14) • Envy evildoers; say the arrogant are blessed (3:15) • Live without reverence—no fear of the LORD (1:6; 3:5) Cautionary Echoes from Earlier in Malachi • Priests who despise God’s table (1:6-7) • People who “sniff” at worship—treat it as a burden (1:13) • Half-hearted worship equals no worship at all (1:10) New Testament Parallels • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” – John 14:15 • “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – James 2:17 • Pure religion cares for orphans and widows and keeps oneself unstained (James 1:27) • Jesus commends those who serve “the least of these” as serving Him (Matthew 25:40) Heart Posture that Drives the Actions • Reverent fear versus casual indifference • Gratitude versus entitlement • Covenant loyalty versus self-first pragmatism • Humble obedience versus arrogant self-rule Key Takeaways • God notices every act done out of reverence for His name (3:16-17). • The line between serving and not serving Him is drawn by observable choices, not vague intentions. • Faithful giving, truthful teaching, covenant keeping, and justice toward the vulnerable mark genuine service. • Neglect, compromise, and self-serving religion reveal hearts that do not truly serve God. |
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