Why do evil people prosper? I asked this question a few times. Upon inspecting my own motives, I realized I was merely being envious of their prosperity. How silly! In Job 21, you’ll find a long-winded complaint against the prosperity of wicked people.
Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them.
Job 21:7-9 ESV
Then just tonight, the Bible showed me the answer to that question.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Galatians 6:7 ESV
There’s an old adage, you reap what you sow. Well that’s in Scripture and we observe that as a law of nature. I get tomatoes from plants grown from tomato seeds. Then this Bible verse about the natural and agricultural law about sowing and reaping, brought me to another Bible verse about the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
So if we gauge the prosperity of the wicked in terms of money, possessions, popularity, fame and fortune, success and excess, expensive cruises and holidays, all the wining and dining you want, then we’re just being envious of stuff.
Think about it. Why do I have to be envious of stuff? How silly! The truly prosperous are those bearing the fruit of the Spirit!
And, as the law of nature says, the wicked who sow evil will ultimately reap their own destruction. So don’t be envious!
Then this morning, I found another perspective in the Bible, the book of Jeremiah. The LORD speaks to us daily. Listen. read the Bible!
Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?
Jeremiah 12:1
Christian prosperity and abundance is not material abundance. It’s spiritual abundance – a fruitful life and service for God’s kingdom. Please pray that God change your heart to see things more in a spiritual and kingdom perspective and not in a worldly perspective. Then the question, “why do evil people prosper”, will no longer have a hold on you.