UNPROFITABLE PROSPERITY.
TMOTCS
The worldly man may derive a more pleasant life and physical enjoyments in the world more than an abiding child of God. He may also possess more of good things and give himself up to them with less or no self-restraint; still, it shall not be well with the wicked ‘and his riches’ because he fears not God. His riches without Christ is vanity of vanities (Eccl 1:14). Therefore, those who acquired their riches fraudulently and accumulated wealth unjustly will face the judgment of God because “riches profit not in the day of wrath”. (Prov 11:4). The worldly man may ‘own’ the whole world and control its precious resources while the righteous man prayerfully toils in hardship for his daily needs; it’s certain that the unrighteous Rich shall not go unpunished (Prov 11:21). The sinning man is of the world and he’s by nature the child of the prince of this world. He is expected to be favoured with earthly prosperity controlled by Satan, his father. Therefore, he exercises satanic control over his prosperity, subjecting others to evil manipulations. On the other hand, the true child of God who is rich unto heaven will flourish in his undertakings with assurance of eternal peace and glory. He will be able to manage his success wisely without offence to man and God.
The sinful man is selfish and pleasure-seeking. He amasses wealth diabolically and dispenses it profligately at the expense of others; daring man and God. He enjoys physical comforts, abundant pleasures and luxuries of life on earth without much toiling. Unlike the true child of God, who by his godly nature, labours prayerfully and perseveringly for achieve manageable success. However, the child of God must not envy the sinful and his wealth. “Let not thine heart envy sinners but be in the fear of the Lord all the time. Surely there is an end; and thy expectation shall not be cut off” Prov 23:17-18. “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked for there shall be no reward to the evil man, the candle of the wicked will be put out”. Prov 24:19-20. The wealthy sinner may have all things working for him because of his worldly prosperity – it is believed ‘money answers all things’, but one thing is sure, he will end up in hell fire if he fails to repent and forsake his sinful ways. Remember the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the beggar, in the Scripture.(Lk 16:19-31). “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matt 1924); especially the wealthy, unrepentant sinner!
The unrepentant wealthy sinner is usually compassed about with pride and covered with garment of violence, his eyes stand out with fatness and he pursues prosperity more than the heart could wish. Although he may have the advantage of this present world, he’s set in slippery places and will be cast down to destruction and be brought into desolation as in a moment and be utterly consumed with terrors to everlasting perdition (Ps 73:18-19). Therefore, while the wicked enjoys his riches and comfort for just a few years on earth, he will spend the rest of eternity in chaos, in agonising pains and in abject poverty of soul. Although he can afford to derive more enjoyments from sin, get richer and suffer less in this present life, his end is a total destruction without option. The wealthy sinner needs Christ in his life. He needs to repent and forsake his unjust ways and come to the Saviour, Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins.
“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die”. (Ezek 18:21). Seek the Lord while he may be found!
