The prosperity of the wicked is a complex issue that has vexed people throughout history. It can be difficult to understand why those who engage in evil deeds often seem to succeed materially. The Bible offers perspective on this matter, which Christians seek to understand and trust in faith.
A key point is that the present life is not all there is. Even if the wicked prosper for a time on earth, the Bible promises that justice will ultimately prevail when Christ returns (Revelation 22:12). God sees all things and will rectify every wrong in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13).
Another facet is that true prosperity is more than material wealth and comfort. The deepest blessings come through a right relationship with God and living according to His ways (Psalm 1, Matthew 5:3-12). Wicked people may gain things of this world, but they miss out on the eternal riches of knowing God.
Sin also has natural consequences that affect quality of life, even if outward wealth remains for a time. The book of Proverbs describes how greed, lies, pride and other sins damage people from within. “Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value” (Proverbs 10:2).
God allows the wicked to prosper for a time to display His patience and give them opportunity to repent (Romans 2:4-6). Sometimes the unrighteous even achieve positions of power, as part of God’s sovereign plan that supersedes human understanding (Daniel 4:17). But their judgment will come.
The temporal success of evildoers can be a test for the righteous. Psalms 37 and 73 both grapple with feeling envious of the wicked when they seem to get away with evil schemes. But the answer is to trust God, wait patiently for His justice, take delight in Him, and stay faithful to live rightly.
When believers start to covet the temporary gains of wrongdoers, it leads to compromising godly principles. “Do not fret because of those who are evil … for like the grass they will soon wither” (Psalm 37:1-2). The prosperity of the wicked is fleeting.
Another danger is presuming that gaining material wealth means someone has God’s favor. In fact, Jesus taught the exact opposite. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God … But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort” (Luke 6:20,24).
Someone who gains the whole world through evil means but loses their soul has made a very poor exchange (Mark 8:36). This points back to the importance of heavenly treasure over temporary earthly wealth.
When seeing the wicked prosper, Christians are reminded to view life from an eternal perspective. The comfort, influence and material gain they may temporarily enjoy will slip away. Any outward appearances of blessing are deceiving if they don’t have a relationship with God.
Believers are called to avoid envy and reject the temptation to sin in order to get ahead. “Do not lie, do not deceive, and do not cheat anyone” (Leviticus 19:11). While the dishonest may prosper for a season, followers of Christ are to walk in righteousness with their eyes set on eternal reward.
The fact that God allows evildoers a time of material success testifies to His great patience and mercy. But ultimately, their judgment will come. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).
In contrast, the people of God have exceeding great reward to look forward to (Ephesians 2:6-7). While the wicked may enjoy a lifetime of prosperity, they cannot take it with them. The riches of believers in Christ are stored up for eternity. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth … But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).
The book of Job provides deep insight into this issue of understanding the prosperity of the wicked. Job was a righteous man who lost everything. His friends insisted he must have done something sinful to deserve such suffering. But Job knew his own heart and maintained innocence (Job 27:1-6).
This book makes clear that suffering is not proof of wickedness, just as prosperity is not proof of righteousness. God reminds us that His ways are higher than ours, and He uses trials and blessings according to His purposes (Isaiah 55:8-9).
In the end, Job repented of questioning God’s justice. He learned to accept by faith that the Creator of all has sovereign power and ultimate authority to allow trials for His glory. In the same way, Christians today must trust God in circumstances they cannot understand.
When it seems like evildoers get away with wickedness, believers are reminded to keep an eternal perspective. Though they may enjoy a lifetime of wealth, the real treasure is knowing Christ. “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Their judgment will come.
The righteous suffer too in this world, as did Christ. But for those who stay faithful through trials, an unfading inheritance awaits (1 Peter 1:3-6). The prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, but “he who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).
In the end, every knee will bow before the perfect judgement and timing of the Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). God allows the wicked to prosper for a time, but their sins will find them out (Numbers 32:23). Meanwhile, believers must walk by faith in God’s ways.
For Christians who struggle with this issue, it’s important to pour out your heart honestly to God. The Psalms model raw transparency in crying out to Him when discouraged by the temporary success of evildoers.
But recalling God’s faithfulness through past seasons of hardship can re-center our perspective. “the LORD will not reject forever. Though he causes grief, he will show compassion” (Lamentations 3:31-32). He is always working for the eternal good of those who love Him.
Walking in daily fellowship with God through prayer, Scripture meditation and worship is vital for navigating this complex topic. When we lose sight of His intimate love and sovereign care, it becomes far too easy to fixate on what evildoers gain in this world.
Remember that they will one day stand before God to account for how they treated others and used their resources. There are no unsolved mysteries or inconsistencies in God’s judgment. He is intimately acquainted with all our ways as humans.
As Christ followers, we are called to generosity and graciousness even in the face of injustice. “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice” (Proverbs 24:17). God commands His people to love enemies, not harbor bitterness when they prosper.
Believers have hope both for justice and redemption that extend beyond this lifetime. Be encouraged by God’s promise through Isaiah: “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them” (Isaiah 61:8).
The question of why wicked people prosper despite causing harm and pain is a deep one. It calls into question God’s very character. That’s why it’s essential to come back to the bedrock truth of Scripture that God is perfectly loving, just and wise.
His ways are higher than ours. His timing is perfect. And in the end, not a single wrong will escape the ultimate Judge. God’s absolute righteousness and unchanging nature are the anchors for holding on to faith when it seems the evildoers are winning.
Walking closely with God and keeping an eternal perspective are key for dealing with the hard questions that arise when the wicked prosper. Their gains are temporary. But the riches of knowing Christ are forevermore.
As the Psalmist declares after grappling with this issue: “You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:24-25).
May this be the truth we build our lives upon, regardless of what scheme the wicked may hatch or wrongs they seem to get away with for a time. Our hope is founded on the unchanging, righteous God who redeems and restores.