In one narration recorded by him, the wording is: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "O Awf bin Malik! Would your servant who obeys you and follows your command be more beloved to you, or your servant who does not obey you and does not follow your command?" He said: "Rather, my servant who obeys me and follows my command (would be more beloved to me)." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So you people are likewise before your Lord."
Al-Tabarani recorded it with two chains, and the narrators of the first narration are thiqat (trustworthy).
Hadith Referenceمجمع الزوائد ومنبع الفوائد / كتاب الزهد / 17720