Psalm 10:4-6 teaches us, “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him, all his thoughts are. “There is no God.” 5 His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight, as for all his foes, he puffs at them. 6 he says in his heart, “I shall not be moved throughout all generations. I shall not meet adversity.” | ESV
Conversely, Proverbs 30:7-9 tells us; Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die. 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. | ESV
It’s common to see individuals who seem to achieve success effortlessly, even boasting that no one, not even God, can impede their progress. We may question why God allows them to accumulate wealth while they hold contempt for Him. But why do we feel a sense of injustice when the wicked prosper? Are we truly upset about the harm they cause, or are we just envious of their success? To answer these questions, we need to gain a proper perspective on wickedness and wealth. The wicked will undoubtedly face punishment as God abhors their evil deeds. Remember, wealth is transient, a mere temporary state. It is not necessarily a sign of God’s approval of a person’s life, nor is the absence of wealth an indication of His disapproval. Let’s not allow wealth to become our obsession.
It’s crucial to recognize that an excess of wealth or a lack of it can jeopardize our physical and spiritual well-being. Being affluent is not the solution as it can pose challenges in attaining God’s Kingdom, as Jesus highlighted in Matthew 19:23-24. As Paul instructs, we can adapt to living with little or plenty as long as we maintain a balanced outlook on wealth. Striving for a state of ‘neither poverty nor riches’ can lead to a more meaningful and satisfying life.
Living a Jesus-centered life brings true happiness. It involves relying on God for needs and seeking less of what one desires and more of what He provides.