I often hear people question why do people prosper in this world even when they are some of the most wicked people. This often happens when people become discouraged with the way things are going the world about them. As a song that we often sings states, we often "wonder why others prosper, living so wicked year after year." The song goes on to state that "we’ll understand it all by and by." But I believe that by looking at the Scriptures we can come to some understanding of this now.
I don’t believe that it can be denied that the wicked upon this earth do prosper physically. One can easily confirm this by looking about and observing others. The inspired writers of old were able to observe this fact (Job 21:7-15; Psa. 73:3-13). They observed that the wicked lived long lives, became powerful, lived in peace and safety, became wealthy, and had everything they could possibly want. It appears that this is also true today.
I am afraid that many people who seek a reason for the prosperity of the wicked, are plagued by a misconception of how God deals with man in this physical world. They like to think that God rewards the righteous physically in this life and punishes the wicked in a similar manner. If one holds to such an idea, I can certainly see where he would be confused when observing the physical condition of the wicked. The fact that one prospers physically, however does not indicate whether he is approved or disapproved by God. We are told that "He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matt. 5:45).
One who holds to the idea that God should physically punish the evil doer is also in danger of accusing God of injustice when the wicked are not so punished. This is what happened in the days of Malachi. They accused God of showing favoritism toward the wicked and neglecting righteous judgment (Mal. 2:17). They also claimed that it was of no use to serve God, because the wicked fared much better (Mal. 3:14-15). They were disappointed with God’s system of judgment.
A fact that we must face up to is that God does not necessarily punish the wicked while they are still on this earth. It is certainly true that the wicked sometimes have to suffer the consequences of their actions, but that is not necessarily divine punishment. God, however, has chosen to allow the wicked to prosper on the earth and render judgment upon them later. The fact that the wicked prosper in this world, does not mean that they will prosper in the next world. God’s justice will prevail.
The Bible assures us that the prosperity of the wicked benefits them only in this life. The writers of old, although recognizing that the wicked prospered, also recognized that the wicked would eventually be punished (Job 21:16-34; Psa. 37:1-17; 73:17-19). They inform us that the wicked are reserved for destruction, their prosperity is momentary, and that they are to the eternally cut off. The wicked may indeed prosper. But they prosper only in this life, not eternally (cf. Luke 12:16-21).
There is another reason that one may raise the question about the prosperity of the wicked. It may be that one is unhappy with his own lack of prosperity, even though he is trying to serve God. I would remind this person that the righteous are content regardless of their physical condition (Phil. 4:11-13). If we truly trust in God and His righteousness, we will not have to worry. God does not promise to make the righteous rich, but He has promised to take care of their needs (Matt. 6:25-34). David said that he had not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging food (Psa. 37:25).
The wicked may prosper, but that should not concern us. Instead, we need to take the gospel to the wicked so that they might prosper eternally, because we realize what the end of the wicked is.
-- Edward O. Bragwell, Jr.