That is the description of a totally corrupted and perverted ministry. Those who listen to that man are not hearing all God has to say. Rather than bringing men to God, he is standing between men and God.
God's Word is explicit about adultery, the virgin birth of Jesus, and His second coming. A preacher may not fully understand those truths, but God requires him to proclaim them fully and faithfully. That's why a steward must diligently study God's Word before he enters the pulpit (2 Timothy 2:15).
In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (v. 2).
By far the most important quality of a good steward is faithfulness, trustworthiness. He is entrusted with the master's household possessions, businesses, and money; and without faithfulness he will bring about wholesale ruin. Above all, God wants His ministers, His servant-stewards, to be trustworthy.
God supplies His Word, His Spirit, His gifts, and His power, and He calls His stewards to administer those resources faithfully. The work is demanding but is basically simple: faithfully take God's Word to God's people so they can feed on it. That doesn't require brilliance or cleverness or creativeness or popularity. It requires trustworthiness, and that's the standard by which every steward will be judged.
But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord (vv. 3-4).
Others' Evaluation
Since God is the Judge of internal and external fidelity to the servant-steward task, it should be a very small thing to any of us when others praise or criticize our ministry or our spiritual life. We can benefit greatly from the counsel of a wise friend, and sometimes even learn from the observations and criticisms of unbelievers. But no human being is qualified to determine the legitimacy, quality, or faithfulness of our work for the Lord.
A caring minister of Christ cannot and should not be insensitive to the feelings, needs, and opinions of his people. But no minister can remain faithful to his calling if he lets his congregation, or any individual human being, decide how true his motives are or whether he is working within the Lord's will. Because human knowledge and understanding of the facts are imperfect, human criticisms and compliments are imperfect. In humility and love, God's minister must not allow himself to care about other people's evaluations of his ministry.
His Own Evaluation
Nor must he allow himself to care about his own evaluation of his ministry. All of us are naturally inclined to build ourselves up in our own minds. We all look into rose-colored mirrors. Some people seem to put themselves down, especially in front of others, but it's only a veiled appeal for recognition and flattery. The mature minister doesn't trust his own judgment any more than he trusts the judgment of others.
Paul knew of no serious sin or deficiency in his own life and ministry; he also knew his evaluation was limited by his finite understanding. He was neither proud of the fact that he knew of nothing wrong, nor was he worried that he might have overlooked some fault. His own evaluation, favorable or unfavorable, made little difference in carrying out the faithful stewardship of his ministry.
God's Evaluation
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God (v. 5).
The only evaluation that mattered to Paul was the Lord's-that's how it is for every true servant of Christ. God has planned a day when He will “both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts.” Those two phrases refer to the things only God can see, the things hidden from the knowledge of other men. As the only omniscient and impartial Judge, only God can render a righteous verdict.
