Anchor Scripture: Psalm 73, Job 21
Memory Verse: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation. 22: 12)
Introduction
Last week, our good Father served us, at His Banquet here, the first part of this lesson, telling us what“Unrighteous Prosperity” mean. As a way of quick revision, we were taught that “Unrighteous prosperity is the success, breakthrough, achievement, riches, wealth, affluence, influence, power, authority or fortune which one got through unGodly means, ways, methods and or strategies”.
Just last week, one of my fathers in the Lord sent me a short video of the public presentation of a young man who worked as a Security Man in a Nigerian Bank. What made this man outstanding was that he found but returned to the bank’s authority, a sum of Ten Thousand US Dollars forgotten in his branch of the bank by a customer. The story of that young man became relevant to us at this sumptuous Banquet because the young man refused to prosper in an unrighteous manner as many would have done. By simple arithmetic, the young man found but returned a sum of Four Million (Nigerian Naira), but in reward, he got back, over twenty million, and still counting.
Brethren, some ignorant other people would have held on to the four million that they found, which could have one way or the other backfired. Even if it did not backfire anyhow, he would have missed the bigger rewards (both fame and money) he received as well as making God proud (spiritual benefits) in the presence of the wicked one which is what God desires most.
Since there is no action without a reaction (as seen above in that story), God, having taught us what it means to prosper unrighteously, wants to use this second part to teach us both the BENEFITS/ ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES/PERILS OF UNRIGHTEOUS PROSPERITY. I pray God grants us the required understanding in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
A. Benefits/Advantages of Unrighteous Prosperity
Despite the fact that unrighteous prosperity is not of God but of Satan because its acquisition involves sinful acts, it has its own benefits or advantages for those who prefer it and look for it. Some of these are discussed below:
i. Long Life: owners of unrighteous prosperity often (surprisingly) live long – Psalm 73: 4, Job 21: 7, 23-24, Eccl. 2: 16; 7: 15
ii. They are happy and live problem-free lives because God doesn’t chasten them (even in their sins/wickedness) – Psa. 73: 5, 10
iii. Their wealth provide them good security, power and influence – Job 21: 7, 9; 12: 6, Prov. 10: 5; 18: 11, Eccl. 7: 12, Psalm 73: 9-10; 35: 37, Rev. 13: 5-7
iv. They have many friends – Prov. 19: 4, 6-7; 14: 20, Job 19: 13-17,
v. They have many children – Job 21: 8, 11,
B. Disadvantages/Perils of Unrighteous Prosperity
The above-mentioned benefit of unrighteous prosperity notwithstanding, it has some dire consequences which are enough to prevent a true child of God from desiring or even running after them. These include:
i. They don’t fulfill their days – even though they live long, yet, they don’t normally live up to the number of years God had purposed for them – Job 21: 17; 18: 5-6, 18; 13:9; 20: 20; 24: 20, Psalm 32: 10, Luke 12: 46
ii. They don’t have or enjoy rest of mind – Job 21: 18, Psalms 1: 4; 35: 5; 83: 13, Isaiah 5: 24, Jeremiah 13: 24
iii. Their memories don’t last – Job 18: 17; 21: 17-18; 27: 23, Prov. 10: 7, Psalm 109: 13, 15, Eccl. 8: 10, Jer. 17: 13
iv. Their children will bear the burden of their iniquity towards God – Job 21: 19; Ex. 20: 5, Isaiah 14: 21, Hosea 4:6
v. They are kept for destruction – Job 8: 11-18; 21: 20; 27: 13-23; 31: 3, Psalm 55: 23; 73: 18, 27, 1 Thes. 5: 3, 2 Thes. 1: 9
vi. They have no hope of making heaven except they repent – Mat. 7: 24-27, John 3: 18-21, Gal. 5: 19-21; 6: 7-8.
Conclusion
Wow, What a sumptuous banquet at His feet today! There is nothing with advantages but without disadvantages.
No matter how prosperous the unGodly may be, their end is always bitter. When God says their end, it does not necessarily refer to their physical end by way of death on earth here. It purely refers to their hope of resurrection with our Lord Jesus Christ on the last day because the people of the world always find a way of covering up for them.
With this knowledge, children of God, we need not envy their wealth and riches. We only need to keep trusting our God bearing in mind that “. . . the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84: 11) May the grace to so trust be abundantly bestowed on us all in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
Till we meet again to hear from Him and learn at his feet, keep keeping on in Him!