Many people have wondered why the most ruthless, immoral, and even atheistic individuals seem to be the wealthiest and most influential, while the kindest and most righteous often struggle. This apparent contradiction can be frustrating, leading some to question God’s justice. However, the Bible addresses this issue in depth, offering wisdom, reassurance, and a broader perspective on what true prosperity means.

The Prosperity of the Wicked: A Temporary Illusion

The Bible acknowledges that the wicked often appear to thrive. This is not a new phenomenon—it has troubled believers for centuries. The psalmist Asaph lamented this very issue in Psalm 73:3-5,12:

“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek. They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind… Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.”

Asaph observed that the wicked seemed to live without consequences, enjoying luxury and ease. But later in the Psalm, he came to a realization that their prosperity is fleeting:

“Surely you set them in slippery places; you cast them down to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!” 
- Psalm 73:18-19

While the wicked may enjoy wealth and fame for a time, their end is ultimately destruction. Their success is not a sign of God’s favor but a test of faith for those who trust in Him.

The world measures success by material wealth, power, and popularity. However, God’s definition of prosperity is much deeper.

God’s Perspective on True Prosperity

The world measures success by material wealth, power, and popularity. However, God’s definition of prosperity is much deeper. Jesus warned against being deceived by earthly riches:

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” 
- Matthew 16:26

Many wicked people gain power and wealth because they are willing to lie, cheat, oppress, and do whatever it takes to get ahead. But their wealth comes at a great cost of their eternal souls.

Instead, God calls us to seek treasures that last forever:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”  
- Matthew 6:19-20

True prosperity is not about money, but about living a life of righteousness, peace, and purpose in Christ.

Why Does God Allow the Wicked to Prosper?

God, in His infinite wisdom, allows the wicked to prosper for several reasons:

1. A Test of the Righteous – Seeing the success of the wicked can test the faith of believers. Will we continue to trust God even when life seems unfair? Job 21:7 asks, “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” The answer is that God allows this for a time, but their judgment will come.

2. A Chance for Repentance – God’s mercy extends even to the wicked. Romans 2:4 states:

“Do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

God may allow sinners to prosper so that they might see His goodness and turn to Him.

3. A Display of God’s Ultimate Justice – Though the wicked may flourish now, their time is limited. Psalm 37:10 reminds us:

“In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.”

Those who trust in their riches will ultimately fall, while the righteous will inherit eternal blessings.

The Danger of Envying the Wicked

It is easy to feel discouraged when we see immoral people gaining influence while the righteous suffer. But the Bible warns against envy:

“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” - Proverbs 24:19-20

Instead, we should focus on remaining faithful to God, trusting that He will reward us in His perfect time.

Final Encouragement: The Righteous Will Inherit Eternal Riches

The success of the wicked is temporary, but the rewards of the righteous are eternal. Psalm 37:7 gives us this assurance:

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

God is just, and He will ultimately bless those who walk in righteousness. Even if we do not see it immediately, our reward in heaven far outweighs any earthly wealth.

So, instead of being troubled by the prosperity of the wicked, let us remain steadfast, knowing that God sees all, and He will bring justice in His perfect time.

How temporary is temporary in God’s time?  

I’m glad you asked. God’s concept of time is vastly different from ours. What may seem like a long time to us—decades or even centuries—is just a moment in His eternal perspective.

1. God’s Time vs. Human Time

Scripture reminds us that:

“With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” - 2 Peter 3:8

This means that what feels like a long time on earth is incredibly brief in the grand scheme of eternity. The prosperity of the wicked may last for a lifetime, but in comparison to eternity, it is nothing more than a fleeting shadow.

2. The Wicked’s Prosperity is Short-Lived

Even when it seems like the wicked flourish indefinitely, their success is still temporary. Psalm 37:35-36 gives a powerful illustration:

“I have seen a wicked, ruthless man spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.”

The wicked may enjoy power, wealth, and influence for decades, but eventually, they will fade away—whether in this life or in eternity.

3. Judgment is Certain, Even if Delayed

Though God is patient, His justice is inevitable:

“For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more.” 
- Psalm 37:10

This “little while” may seem long to us, but it is brief compared to eternity. Some wicked people may appear to escape judgment in this life, but no one can escape God’s final reckoning.

4. The Ultimate Perspective: Eternity

Jesus emphasized that the wealth of the wicked is meaningless in light of eternity:

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” - Luke 6:24

If all their riches and power only last for this brief earthly life, but they lose their souls for eternity, then their success was the greatest failure.

Conclusion: A Matter of Perspective

From a human perspective, it might seem like the wicked prosper “forever,” but from God’s eternal viewpoint, their time is short. The temporary nature of their success is just like grass that “withers and fades” (Isaiah 40:8).

While we wait, we can trust in God’s perfect timing, knowing that justice will come—whether in this life or the next. The righteous will inherit eternal joy, while the wicked will face judgment.

So, when you ask, “How temporary is temporary?” the answer is: Very temporary compared to eternity!

Did I hear someone say: “I’d rather be prosperous and popular here on earth because this is where I need it, than to wait till I get to heaven (or hell) because I won’t need it there.”

That’s a bold and honest statement for most of us to state, and God’s response would likely be both a warning and an invitation. The Bible provides several answers to this kind of thinking, showing the short-sightedness of prioritizing temporary success over eternal life.

1. Jesus’ Warning: What’s the True Cost of Earthly Prosperity?

Jesus directly addressed this mindset in Mark 8:36-37:

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?”

In other words, even if you were the richest, most powerful, and most popular person on earth, it would mean nothing if you end up separated from God for eternity. Earthly prosperity is temporary, but the soul is eternal.

2. The Rich Fool: A Cautionary Tale

Jesus also told a parable about a man who thought exactly like this—he wanted all his wealth and success now, without considering the afterlife.

“The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”
- Luke 12:16-21

The rich man assumed he had time, but his life ended suddenly. He had invested in riches but not in God, and he lost everything in an instant. This is the fate of anyone who prioritizes temporary success over eternal security.

3. The Deception of Wealth: It Won’t Satisfy

Even those who achieve great wealth and power often find it doesn’t bring lasting fulfillment. King Solomon, the richest and wisest man in history, wrote:

“Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
- Ecclesiastes 5:10

Solomon had it all—money, power, fame, and pleasure—but he realized that without God, it was all empty. Many wealthy and famous people today testify that, despite having everything, they still feel unfulfilled.

4. The Invitation: Seek True Riches

God doesn’t just warn us about the dangers of earthly wealth—He offers something far greater:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
- Matthew 6:19-20

Instead of chasing temporary wealth, God invites us to seek eternal treasures of peace, joy, righteousness, and ultimately, eternal life in His presence.

Final Answer: A Choice Between Two Kingdoms

For those who insists that “I’d rather be prosperous and popular here on earth because this is where I need it,” I suppose God would respond with:

1. Are you sure you want to gamble your eternal soul for a few years of comfort?

2. Even if you gain everything, will it truly satisfy you?

3. Wouldn’t it be wiser to invest in something that lasts forever instead of something that fades?

At the end of the day, God lets us choose—but He makes it clear that only one choice leads to eternal life.

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19

God’s desire is not to take away our joy but to give us something far greater than temporary riches—eternal life, true peace, and joy that never fades. The question is: Which kingdom do we want to invest in?

Still more scriptures on the Wicked …

Psalm 55:23 states that the wicked shall not live half their days. 

“But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.”

The verse suggests that the wicked will have shortened lives, yet we often see ruthless people living long, successful lives. So how would God answer this?

1. “Half Their Days” is A General Principle, Not a Fixed Rule

The Bible often speaks in general principles rather than absolute guarantees. For example, Proverbs says:

“The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.”
- Proverbs 10:27

This doesn’t mean that every single wicked person will die young. Rather, it highlights a spiritual reality: sinful living carries consequences, often leading to an untimely downfall.

Many who pursue evil self-destruct through their choices of greed, violence, addictions, or recklessness which often lead to ruin long before they might have otherwise died.

2. God’s Judgment Is Not Always Immediate

Though God has declared that the wicked will perish, He does not always execute judgment instantly. Instead, He allows time for repentance:

“Do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
- Romans 2:4

Some wicked people live long lives because God, in His mercy, is giving them time to turn to Him.

But this delay in judgment does not mean they have escaped — God’s justice will come, whether in this life or the next.

“Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.”
- Ecclesiastes 8:11

3. The Wicked’s “Long Life” Is Still Short in God’s Eyes

Even if a wicked person lives 80 or 90 years, that is nothing compared to eternity.

“For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.”
- Psalm 90:4

To us, a long life seems significant, but to God, it’s just a fleeting moment. The wicked may seem to prosper for a season, but they will eventually face judgment—whether in this life or after death.

“They are like a dream when one awakes; when You arise, O Lord, You will despise them as fantasies.”
- Psalm 73:20

4. The “Half Their Days” Judgment Can Happen in Different Ways

Even if the wicked live long physically, they may die young in other ways:

• Spiritual Death – They may be “alive,” but dead inside—miserable, empty, and tormented.

• Loss of Legacy – Many powerful and wicked people outlive their reputations and die in disgrace.

• Sudden Ruin – Many seem invincible, but then fall abruptly (corruption scandals, betrayals, health crises).

For example:

• Haman in the book of Esther was powerful and successful—until he was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai. (Esther 7:10)

• King Herod accepted worship like a god—and was struck down immediately. (Acts 12:21-23)

Final Answer: God’s Justice Is Certain, Even If Delayed

If we ask, “Why do some wicked people live long?” God might respond:

1. “Do not mistake My patience for approval—I am giving them time to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

2. “Even the longest life is short compared to eternity.” (Psalm 90:12)

3. “Their downfall may not be immediate, but it is certain.” (Psalm 37:2)

So, while we may see wicked people living long lives, their time is still limited, and their fate is sealed unless they repent.

God is never unjust. His timing is simply different from ours.