August 3

10 comments

Three Reasons The Wicked Prosper And What You Can Do About It

By Michael Q. Pink

August 3, 2014

prosper, revival, righteous, wicked prosper

In Psalm 73, the prophet Asaph is grieved because the wicked were so prosperous and increased in riches. It seemed to bother him that his righteous living was not having the financial payoff the wicked were enjoying. But two realizations ended his foolish envy. The first was the fact that the wicked were headed toward a nightmarish end of desolation and terror.

u.s. dollar bills in a mousetrap. symbolic photo for debt

The second realization was that the Lord was leading him by the hand, guiding him with counsel and would afterward, receive him to glory. He goes on to say what my wife Judy quotes frequently, that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

 

But why do the wicked prosper?

1. Market Share

They have a larger market for their wares and that market is demanding more and more supply. Whether we’re talking pornography, substance addictions or amoral things like money and power, the wicked have an insatiable desire for more! And they want it NOW. Not eventually. That’s why pornography exploded in the last couple decades in our society. It became instantly available even on your child’s smartphone. Think about that before you give your kid one of those!

Appealing to the carnal nature is an easier sale than appealing to the spirit man. Why? Because although the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. That’s why get rich quick schemes prosper when Biblical wealth accumulation strategies attract fewer customers.

It’s not that the Biblical product is lesser or a weaker proposition… It’s the flesh that is weaker in most people. Which leg do you favor when walking… the one that is healthy and strong or the one with a sprained ankle? We naturally give preference to the weaker one. The same is true with our fleshly nature and unless we learn to walk in the spirit, we will never succeed in overcoming the flesh (Galatians 5:16)

Consider this… in 2013, the highest ranked Colorado company in terms of revenue was a company called Otter Box with $573 million in worldwide sales. They make protective covers for your cell phone among other things. Now compare that with the lotto. JUST IN COLORADO SALES ALONE, revenues were over $540 million! You can bet that Colorado residents didn’t spend that much on learning Biblical methods for wealth accumulation!

Psalm 88:12 asks the question, “Can righteousness be known in the land of forgetfulness?” Like Israel before us, we have forgotten what made us great. We have forgotten our moral and righteous foundation. We have forgotten the Lord who begat us unto a lively hope. The solution for the market share issue is true revival. The kind that goes beyond a casual prayer and into true repentance. The kind that brings about a change of heart and actions. The kind that changes the culture. National revival begins with personal revival, so stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in you and awake from your slumber, you sleepy ones.

2. Resources

The golden rule the wicked live by says, “He who has the gold, makes the rules”. The wicked have tremendous resources at their disposal and use those resources to fund their wicked agenda. John Muratori in our Christian Wealth Building series said it this way… “The wicked prosper because they are captivating and grabbing a hold of the wealth of our society, the wealth of our nation. Let me just say this… there is an earthly aspect to spiritual warfare. Unfortunately, most of the time the Church only enters into the mystical aspect. We become so heavenly minded, we actually become no earthly good.

We used to do prayer walks and pray. Finally I got to a point; I got so tired of praying over a drug-infested building, I said I’m just going to buy it! The fastest way to transform a community is to not just pray over a street, but to begin to possess the land. It takes other resources to do that. One of the best ways to change your city is to buy the city. If we don’t like what is happening to the theatre up the road because they won’t play Facing the Giants and movies that are wholesome for families, but yet they will consistently attack Jesus.

They will consistently attack the Gospel with such movies as Broke Back Mountain and the DaVinci Code. Then why don’t we buy the theatre and control what is being ministered and taught to the minds of our society? Our young kids are preyed upon by the porn industry. Just driving down the road and seeing the billboards, you have to shut down the shades and close it because we don’t want our kids to see it.

When is the Church going to use its resources, grab the axe of finance and begin to cut down some of these things? If we are going to be gate keepers and if we are going to be pastors of our community, then let’s begin to possess the community.”

3. We don’t engage the wicked

The Bible promises that Abraham’s seed would possess the gates of the enemy. What are the gates of the enemy? The gates in Bible times represented three things. Firstly, they represent governmental authority. The kings would have their thrones carried to the gates and there negotiate treaties, decree laws, etc. Secondly, they represent the judicial authority because judgments would be made by the judges at the city gates. Thirdly, the gates represent commerce because it was at the city gates that land transfers, etc would be decreed valid with the witness of the city fathers.

Today we see corrupt government at all levels. Where are the righteous? There are a few in government but we need more. Today we see evil judges attempting to subvert the culture. Where are the righteous judges? There are some, but we need more. Today we see all forms of wickedness in commerce. Where are the righteous leaders who know, understand and follow God’s ways and are willing to show others? Again, there are a few, but we need more.

So what is your role? Is it changing the market demographic by bringing revival? Is it resource accumulation so you can fund a righteous agenda with righteous government and righteous judges? If you want to engage the culture and raise up a righteous standard but are lacking provision to do so, you might want to check out the MPI Christian Business Institute we are launching this month. If you are interested, please let me know. I will offer my best students the opportunity to become coaches so together we can see millions come into the kingdom!

Until next time, Be fruitful and multiply!

Michael Q. Pink

About the author

Michael is America's leading authority on applying Biblical Wisdom and Natural Law to sales and business and has authored 19 books including The Bible Incorporated, Selling Among Wolves and God's Best Kept Secrets. Using that knowledge, he has helped thousands of professionals and entrepreneurs experience radical transformation in their lives and careers, including helping a start-up with 3 struggling sales reps turn the corner and become the 16th fastest growing company on the INC 500 list. 

  • This is absolutely mind-blowing…and powerful…and true. Thank you for your tenacity. The scriptures tell us that, initially, the magicians could do the same “tricks” that Aaron and Moses were doing. Eventually, though, the magician’s power would no longer work and the power working in Aaron and Moses took over. This is what is supposed to happen when we function according to the principles given us by the King.

    • Hi Joanne;

      We just saw the Moses movie yesterday and was struck by the same thing. Thanks for posting!

      Blessings from both of us!

      Michael

  • Thanks Michael for your keen insight into understanding the often “felt” contrasts between the wicked business person and the righteous….as the psalmist experienced….”I was confused and angry until I entered the presence of the Lord(my paraphrase)”.
    I would like for the opportunity to meet personally with you again….could you call me? Blessings.

  • Thank-you Michael…

    again, for the wake up, to walk circumspectly and be diligent in redeeming our time, by taking hold of those opportunities and challenges put in our paths daily, to both occupy and overcome…

    by the Word of our testimony and the Blood of the Lamb, in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit Who indwells and works through us.

    Proverbs 4:1-27,, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 3:14-21

    Onward and Upward!

    • Hi Geary;

      Thanks for posting again. I always enjoy your feedback my brother and I appreciate your pursuit of the Lord!

      Blessings,

      Michael

  • Thank you for your insight. Being a commercial real estate broker in the Napa Valley, California taking over properties for the Kingdom is a great vision to have. I am doing so on a small scale, but you have given me much to consider in growing my vision and including other Christ-followers with the resources to make an impact in the Napa Valley!

  • Hi Michael,

    Thank you for tour posts. You’ve been a serious source of encouragement and an eye opener.

    The CBI, can it run online? I work in a bank, recently, the Lord dropped real estate in my spirit. I know I can go on being living mediocrely when I can wake up and take over.

    I await your kind response.

    Ugo.
    Nigeria

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