We may think from what we've observed in many different cases that the people who do the most wrong and live carelessly seem to get away with almost everything, and sometimes seem to be enjoying life much more than those who follow all of the "rules" and work hard trying to live an upright life. It may seem to others as though the people who follow God's direction, His word, and try to live up to His standards of holiness live a boring life following a list of "do's" and "don'ts" while those who are in the world are living the great life. Don't be fooled into believing this! The wicked may seem to be having all of the "fun" in life for now, but the Bible tells us that it will only last for a season.
Even though the Bible tells us many times not to envy the lives of the wicked, it can be so easy for a lot of Christians to reflect on others living in and of the world with their yachts, money, big houses, fancy cars, stylish, expensive clothes and seem to have everything money can afford. Perhaps you see a lot of Christians that seem to be poor, have very little money and can barely make ends meet. And you've probably heard many different testimonies about people who were brought so low they didn't even have enough food for the day. What is the problem here? Shouldn't God bless US with all of those pleasures and enjoyments? If we are serving God then why isn't He giving us those riches?
Are Christians wasting their lives by serving others, giving to those who have even less than them, and using most of their money for the purposes of God?
David seemed to be wondering the same thing in Psalm 73. And apparently he too, thought he was doing a lot of hard work for nothing when he says in verses 13 and 14 "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning...When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end." It just wasn't making sense to him that the wicked who mocked God were receiving all of the benefits of life while he who was confessing his sins, cleansing his heart, and trying to do right was being "plagued, and chastened every morning."
It wasn't until he went into the sanctuary of God that he realized that the pleasures of earth was all that these wicked people were ever going to enjoy. They were going to have eternal punishment at the end of their life, while David was going to be rewarded in heaven. (vs. 18-24)
We shouldn't be envious of the people who live in the world and have their mansions, vacations and criuses, fancy, expensive everthings, and feel bad for ourselves.. We should be praying for them and pitying them if they are not saved because if that is the case then these worldly pleasures are all the pleasures they will ever enjoy, and while we are enjoying eternity in heaven with our blessed savior, they will be suffering. Does this mean that everyone who is wealthy is living a life of sin and unrighteousness? Absolutely not! Many Christians are wealthy and God has really blessed them. Being weathly in itself is not a sin, and enjoying the blessings and riches that the Lord has given us is great! But it's when those things become an idol that it becomes a sin.
We are not wasting our lives when we are trying our best with God's grace to please our Heavenly Father and live up to the High Calling that he has given us. If we continue striving to please and honor him in all that we say or do, if we remain steadfast in following his commands and trying to reflect the attitude of Christ in every situation, if we do all that God has asked of us and give up the pleasures of the world, if we are faithful to the word of God we will be rewarded. We must remain faithful though, we cannot give up hope or get frustrated when we don't see results or benefits right away.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9
We need to remember that of ourselves we are nothing, but that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philipians 4:13
...these were just some thoughts I had through out the day. My prayer is that they will encourage you in some way as you strive to please the Lord with all your might!!
~Gianna
