Leadership has its privileges, but more important—it comes with huge responsibilities.

Through the years, I've observed the lives of many Christian leaders. I've noticed that they don't always demonstrate godly traits. Sometimes there can be trouble at the top.

When God removes His hand of blessing because a leader engages in ungodly activity, everyone suffers. That's why it's so important for every Christian in a leadership position to strive daily to keep his heart attuned to God and His Word.

In Israel in 500 BC, there arose some leadership issues that God dealt with directly. Apparently the priests who were supposed to be serving God weren't. They had stopped honoring the Lord, and they were offering defiled sacrifices (Malachi 1:7-8). Those actions caused God to remove His blessing from the priests. He could not accept their sacrifices (v.10). Imagine the difficulties this brought on the people.

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 (John 4:24). Don't risk losing the Lord's blessing by causing trouble at the top.    — Dave Branon