It is indeed vexing when wicked people seemingly have success—financially or any other way in the natural realm. Why would God allow this? Scripture even intimates that it should not happen. Texts such as Psalm 1 and Deuteronomy 28 state that prosperity (economic, political, and familial) is the fruit of obedience to God.
A Christian worldview asserts that Scripture is the verbally plenarily inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God; therefore, Christians presume there must be an explanation for the apparent dissonance between scriptural teaching and anecdotal experiences, such as the prosperity of the wicked.
There is an explanation, but to understand it, one must be willing to think big picture and long-term. To God a thousand years is like a day.1 In addition, one must recognize that God is sovereign over his universe and is executing a metanarrative—a great plan of history that involves everyone and every event.2 Therefore, as he directs his great story, he uses different people in different ways at different times. This means that he might grant wicked people financial prosperity to accomplish something in his metanarrative, including setting up rebellious people for judgment.
Nevertheless, God’s holiness and righteousness require the elimination of anything that is inconsistent with his standards. In the end, unrighteousness will not stand before God. But, in some way, God is glorified through forbearing judgment. This means that he may permit sin for a time, but that sin will ultimately be judged.3 This reality was expressed by Solomon in these words:
The LORD has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. (Proverbs 16:4 NKJV)
This verse is challenging; it is not a pleasant truth. God can express this truth in the metanarrative through success in the natural realm, such as, financial wealth. Given the proclivity in fallen mankind to worship financial wealth, it is not surprising that God chooses, at his sovereign pleasure, to use financial success as a means to fulfill Proverbs 16:4.
Both Psalm 1 and Deuteronomy 28 reveal that financial wealth gained through alignment with the will and ways of God is blessed but that financial wealth gained through alignment with the will and/or ways of man is a setup for judgment.
This vexing truth is summarized in the quote from Psalm 73 above. The only way to understand the prosperity of the wicked is to seek God’s perspective, that is, “enter into God’s sanctuary” to discern his purpose.
Enduring success is the by-product of a heart that seeks to serve the will and ways of God; judgment is the ultimate end for a heart that seeks to serve the will and/or ways of man.
Here is your business tip. Don’t be fooled by financial prosperity. Financial prosperity gained through a heart of righteousness is a blessing and will be used to honor and glorify God. However, financial gain accumulated through a heart of wickedness is a setup for judgment. Wise leaders and managers understand the ways of God regarding financial wealth and seek to align with the will and ways of God. This means they govern their organizations according to God’s metrics as revealed in Scripture. This is the only way to achieve sound financial blessings and enduring success in God’s universe.
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1. Psalm 90:4.
2. Ephesians 1:11.
3. Revelation 20.
