
Why Do Unbelievers Prosper?
• Series: Straight Truth Podcast
If you find yourself struggling to gain a greater perspective of what is temporal versus that which is eternal, consider listening to the following sermons exposited by Dr. Caldwell: True Riches & True Poverty - Part 1: https://youtu.be/ARJv60ceTJ8 True Riches & True Poverty - Part 2: https://youtu.be/mmgrNEo2TP4 A Contrast In Treasure: https://youtu.be/6JxRocONiCU The Disciple's Riches - Part 1: https://youtu.be/ebSTLHY8xK0 The Disciple's Riches - Part 2: https://youtu.be/CER6kM2t__w The Fear-Free Life: https://youtu.be/T42KgSUGLDY The Impossible Possibility: https://youtu.be/sg5wbW_FD_M What Every Christian Should Recognize About Salvation: https://youtu.be/Z_2Ix1u6I8I An Impossible Conversion: https://youtu.be/fnfAg2H0xdk Lessons For A Storm: https://youtu.be/diWhA6g7WH0 The Shrewd Manager: https://youtu.be/t1rem91ZciA Christian Contentment - Part 1: https://youtu.be/yE2yErF2zHk Christian Contentment - Part 2: https://youtu.be/zicoJ_CQKLA Financial Fellowship: https://youtu.be/qvu44f-053I True Financial Freedom: https://youtu.be/10__8BxDLGs This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, we have a listener who writes to us asking about the financial struggles of believers. They want to understand why it seems that unbelievers prosper greatly while many believers struggle to make ends meet. Dr. Philpot says the Bible speaks about these things. An example is found in Psalm 73, where we read of Asaph, who struggles with the seeming prosperity of the wicked while righteous people suffer. He asks Dr. Richard Caldwell to help us understand why God allows unbelievers to prosper while many believers struggle financially. What can Dr. Caldwell share that might help guide our hearts and our thinking about this? Dr. Caldwell shares that this question involves how we really think and struggle in our thinking. It relates to what we understand and deem as true treasure. We tend to think of money as treasure, but New Testament passages teach believers to flee from the love of money and to pursue what is true treasure. Many Scriptures teach us that there is something more important than what we have in terms of material wealth. To help us better understand this, Dr. Caldwell shares and comments on the parable Jesus shares about the rich man and Lazarus. He also shares of our Lord elsewhere, asking, ‘What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?’ With these and other New Testament statements taken together, Scripture indicates that money is not true treasure. While in the temporal realm, it certainly benefits people, eternally though it means nothing. This is clear from Psalm 73 when we read of Asaph struggling, yet when he looks toward eternity, he has a change in perspective. Dr. Caldwell says when we think about this question, there are some things that we need to remember. God gave us true riches when He gave us His Son. There is no greater wealth on this earth we can have than to be a child of God. But maybe we are thinking that if God would give us more, we could use it for ministry, or maybe, we are thinking about all the good we could do for God by having more money. First, says Dr. Caldwell, God knows what is best for us, and He watches over us sometimes by what He doesn’t give us. Second, God doesn’t need money to do what He does, nor for what He is yet going to do. He owns everything, has no problem with resources, and can accomplish all He desires, whether He gives us little or much. What you have or do not have is God managing you as His child to conform you to the image of Christ and that the most good would be done in your life. We must remember these things in our times of leanness and when we struggle financially. We need to rest in the knowledge that our heavenly Father loves us, knows what we need, has no problem caring for us, and knows what we can and cannot handle. He will glorify Himself most and produce the most good in our lives by whatever He assigns us at any given time. Whether he had a little or a lot, the Apostle Paul tells us he learned how to be content in all circumstances. We need to learn this as well. Dr. Caldwell shares that if we remember these things and believe them, we can be content in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Dr. Caldwell also speaks of the Scriptures telling us to store up treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. This, says Dr. Caldwell, gets to what we aim at with our lives and our money. We want to make deposits and invest in things in a way that has eternity in view. As we do this, we also have responsibilities assigned to us by God here in this world, like taking care of our families, etc. So, as we look for ways to deposit and invest, we are not to be looking for ways to give away everything to ministry work. Comments 22