A Biblical Perspective on the Prosperity of Sinners (Part 1 of 2)

Introduction to the Series

This morning we conclude a three-part series on biblical perceptions of key concepts. The series arose from current events, but its aim is broader: to equip us with a tool for assessing any issue—political, societal, or personal—through Scripture. Proper perception leads to proper reactions. When we see reality as it truly is, not as it's portrayed, we respond appropriately.

We began with God's sovereignty: He controls all things, calling us to allegiance, submission, and obedience. Last week addressed love and acceptance biblically. Today, we examine the prosperity of sinners—especially when unbelievers seem to thrive over believers. We are all sinners, but the focus here is unbelievers prospering, succeeding in health, finances, relationships, while believers struggle. Why? What does it mean? How should we respond?

Consider a brother in Christ, a savvy businessman in Santa Fe, partnering with an unbelieving friend. The unbeliever ousted him, took his share, and now thrives from shady dealings. Our brother loves and serves the Lord faithfully, yet faces loss. Or at high school games, the winning side taunts the losers: "You let the team down!" Words wound deeply, like Psalm 3:1-2: foes rise, declaring no salvation in God.

Psalm 3:1-2
O Lord, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
“There is no salvation for him in God.”

It's painful when the wicked prosper and mock. Like the parable of the wheat and tares: a good man sows wheat (God's people), an enemy sows tares (sons of the evil one). The master says let both grow together, lest uprooting tares harm the wheat. God decrees sinners grow alongside the righteous.

1. God Has Not Failed

To understand sinners' prosperity, Christians must know God has not failed. Prayer isn't removed from schools, Ten Commandments from courthouses, or anti-Christian curricula introduced because God failed to reach America. No.

Psalm 2:1-12
Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us tear off their bonds from us
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Nations have always plotted against the Lord and His Anointed—from Cain onward. It's vanity. God has installed His King on Zion to rule the earth unconquerably. We live as exiles in a foreign world, yet as believers, we overcome: "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (1 John 5:4).

Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ... In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

No matter wicked prosperity, God hasn't failed. Their ultimate success—holiness, salvation—is Christ's alone, secured for us. Their earthly gains are meaningless eternally. True prosperity is Christ's deeds through us.

Yet danger looms: "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry... Blessed are all who take refuge in him" (Psalm 2:11-12). Unbelievers' "blessing" is illusory; wrath awaits without refuge in Him.

2. Grieve the Sinners' Judgment

Christians should grieve sinners' judgment. Rising wickedness isn't their prosperity—it's judgment.

Romans 1:26-32
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions... They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice... Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Sinners, rejecting God, heap sin to drown wrath's sting. God gives them over: sin ruins. Increased sin signals judgment, not success. Christianity's morals foster justice; removing it unleashes misery—the just recompense for rejecting God.

Grieve the sin, like Sodom's blind groping. Any good unbelievers enjoy is God's common grace, a fleeting breath. True prosperity is eternal enjoyment of God. Wicked "success" stirs discomfort, God's grace keeping us from worldly ease. Jesus builds His church; hell's gates won't prevail.

3. Pray for Rulers

Christians should pray for rulers. Pilate told Jesus, "Do you not know I have authority to crucify or release you?" Jesus replied, "You would have no authority unless given from above" (John 19:10-11). God appoints all rulers—righteous or wicked—for His purposes.

1 Timothy 2:1-3
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

Prayer pleases God, enabling godly peace amid chaos—like Jesus sleeping in the storm. Pray first for all, especially rulers, that we live peacefully. God desires all saved, including leaders. Trust His sovereign appointments for salvation's sake and His glory.

Prayer in the Midst of Persecution

Paul faced riots in Ephesus, making it difficult to make disciples amid the chaos. God-established government, with Rome intervening, calmed the riots, allowing Paul to evangelize. But this didn't mean Ephesian or Roman leaders became safe for Christians. Even under Nero, who burned Rome and blamed Christians—dipping them in oil to light his orgies—persecution persisted. And in 70 AD, Jews and Christians faced Roman destruction. Persecution continued for centuries. So why pray when situations worsen for Christians?

Prayer isn't a mystical ritual to invoke a deity. It's more profound: it changes me. Yet prayer includes supplications—urgent requests to meet needs. When urgency arises, Christians petition God. Prayer should be our consistent activity, not a last resort. Come boldly to the throne of grace because of Jesus Christ, approaching the Creator of heaven and earth who saved and loves us.

The attitude? Whatever God wills, I accept. Paul mentions "prayers"—sacred words in humble submission, recognizing God's sovereignty. As the song says, "God is God and I am not." Urge urgent requests, acknowledging God as sovereign, capable of your good and his glory.

The Reality of Intercession

Intercessions are conversations with God—specific requests acknowledging him as real. Prayer is as real as this conversation, because God's existence surpasses ours. Speaking to the God who created from nothing is the epitome of conversation—more real than human talk. We enter his tangible presence, veiled through Christ.

Imagine sinning in God's presence. Isaiah cried, "Woe is me! I am undone," a man of unclean lips among an unclean people. Samson's parents feared death upon realizing they met Yahweh. Yet through Jesus, we approach the holy God.

Thanksgiving for All, Including Rulers

Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people—for kings and those in high places—that we may lead peaceful, quiet, godly, dignified lives. Even under wicked rulers—who, per Proverbs, make their people wicked—we thank God for them without grumbling or blaspheming.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.

We don't approve wickedness, but thank God for rulers and his purpose, turning evil for good. God knows best. He faces no difficult choices; his plan is perfect. We grieve, feel lows, but God comforts and supplies. In hindsight, we thank him: "Thank you for the good you did."

Responses to the Prosperity of Sinners

First, remind yourself of the gospel—the ultimate prosperity. Abraham's riches typify salvation's wealth. Want Abraham's faith? Prosper in the gospel's hope, not despair outside it.

Like Moses, prince of Egypt with luxury beyond imagination—secure borders, top army, economy, free labor—he esteemed "the passing pleasures of sin" worthless compared to Christ's reproaches, looking to eternal reward with Jesus.

Second, the gospel is the only source of change. Legislation or agendas fail without it.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Even imprisoned unjustly, like Paul, evangelize and glorify God.

Third, your perception of prayer impacts experiencing sinners' prosperity. If God is a genie, expect disappointment. But prayer as intimate encounter with sovereign God brings peace, tranquility, quietness.