Text: Malachi 3:17–18
“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” – Malachi 3:17–18
A Word to the Faithful Remnant
The book of Malachi lands like a final wake-up call before the silence of 400 years.
God’s people had returned from exile, rebuilt the temple, and were supposed to be walking in renewed covenant faithfulness. Instead, they grew complacent, cynical, and self-serving. They accused God of injustice (Mal. 2:17), withheld their offerings (Mal. 3:8), and questioned whether it was even worth serving Him (Mal. 3:14).
But right in the middle of this spiritual fog, a remnant stood up. A smaller group still feared the Lord and honored His name (Mal. 3:16). And what did God say about them?
“They shall be mine…”
“…My treasured possession.”
That phrase ought to stop us in our tracks.
The Father’s Heart
There’s no cold religiosity here—just warm, relational love.
“I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.”
That’s fatherly language. That’s intimate. This isn’t about rule-keeping. It’s about sonship. It’s about family. These aren’t servants trying to earn favor—they are sons reflecting the Father’s heart.
Exodus 19:5 – “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples…” 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race… a people for his own possession.”
And notice when this takes full shape:
“In the day when I make up my treasured possession…”
This is forward-looking. This is kingdom talk.
There’s a coming day when the faithful will be fully revealed and eternally rewarded. God isn’t done. He’s not just watching today—He’s preparing that day.
The Great Divide
Verse 18 brings it home with crystal clarity:
“Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked…”
In this life, it may look like the wicked prosper. Mockers seem to have the upper hand. But Malachi says, Hold on. God sees it all. And in the end, He will separate those who served Him from those who served themselves.
Jesus echoed this in His own words: Matthew 25:32–33 – “He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…”
This is not just about what people say—it’s about whom they serve.
Reflection & Application
So how do we live as God’s treasured possession in the middle of a cynical, complaining culture?
Application Actions:
- Live in reverent fear of the Lord
- Ask: Do I treat God’s name as weighty or as common?
- Cross-Ref: Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”
- Speak often of the Lord with others
- Choose today to build someone’s faith with your words.
- Application: Send a Scripture, pray aloud with a friend, or share a testimony of God’s goodness.
- Serve the Lord as sons and daughters, not out of duty but devotion
- Ask: Am I serving to be seen, or because I love my Father?
- Anchor your hope in the day to come
- Reflect: What “spiritual wealth” am I storing up that will last into eternity?
- Cross-Ref: Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above…”
Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling me Your treasured possession. Help me walk today as one who fears You, speaks of You, and serves You from the heart. In a world full of noise, let me be part of the remnant who still believes You are worthy. And may my life shine with distinction—not for my glory, but for Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.