The LORD Almighty says to the priests, "A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. I am your father - why don't you honor me? I am your master - why don't you respect me? You despise me, and yet you ask, 'How have we despised you?' This is how - by offering worthless food on my altar. Then you ask, 'How have we failed to respect you?' I will tell you - by showing contempt for my altar. When you bring a blind or sick or lame animal to sacrifice to me, do you think there's nothing wrong with that? Try giving an animal like that to the governor! Would he be pleased with you or grant you any favors?"

Now, you priests, try asking God to be good to us. He will not answer your prayer, and it will be your fault. The LORD Almighty says, "I wish one of you would close the Temple doors so as to prevent you from lighting useless fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you; I will not accept the offerings you bring me. People from one end of the world to the other honor me. Everywhere they burn incense to me and offer acceptable sacrifices. All of them honor me! But you dishonor me when you say that my altar is worthless and when you offer on it food that you despise.

Malachi 1:1-12

Leadership has its privileges, but more importantly, it comes with huge responsibilities. Christian leaders should demonstrate godly traits, but they don't always do that. That means there is trouble at the top. When God removes His hand of blessing because a leader engages in ungodly activity, everyone suffers. That is why it is important for everyone in a leadership position to strive daily to keep his heart attuned to God and His word. Are you a leader? At home? At work? At church? Stay close to God. Give Him the glory and honor due His name. Obey His word. Worship Him in spirit and in truth. Don't risk losing the Lord's blessing by causing trouble at the top.

Our Daily Bread - November 25, 2001