The Wicked Prosper... Or Do They?

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:3 (KJV)

Most righteous people have asked at one time or another, “Why do the wicked prosper?” We ask this typically when the righteous have to endure suffering, and it seems that wickedness goes unpunished. The Bible not only asks this question, but it also addresses it because this question has come up through the ages and keeps coming up.

It is true that the righteous suffer at times while the wicked prosper. Why is this? It is because we have to get God’s view on things. We tend to look at the temporal while God sees the eternal. Yet, in our lifetime, when the righteous suffer, we must look to God through His Word to see the truth that the wicked get by for a while, maybe ever for a whole lifetime, but in the end, all they have gotten will be lost. It will go the way of the grave, being terminated, or their property and wealth will go to another, expressly the righteous. In the end, they will lose it all, and the righteous will gain it all.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22 (KJV)

The righteous suffer for many reasons. We live in a fallen world where we deal with satan and demons, evil people, sin, injustice, and unrighteousness, but God will balance this out and reward each of us for how we live. The righteous are blessed now and forever. However, the wicked who never repent are limited to what they get in this life and no more. That is all they’ll ever enjoy.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.Psalm 37:9-11 (KJV)

So, whatever the situation is now, know that it is temporal. God will make things right someday. If it doesn’t happen now, there is coming a day when God will judge all according to their deeds and works. Those who are in Christ will live with Christ forever. Those who are not in Christ will suffer in the lake of fire forever. That puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?

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For more on this topic, study Psalm 37, Psalm 73, Job 20, and Job 21.