The prosperity of the wicked – Thomas Brooks

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They say, ‘How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?’ This is what the wicked are like always carefree, they increase in wealth. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!” Psalm 73

Oh, how little is that man’s condition to be envied, who for these short pleasures of sin must endure an eternity of torments!

O sirs! Do wicked men purchase their present pleasures at so dear a rate as eternal torments? And do we envy their enjoyment of them so short a time? Would we envy a man going to execution, because we saw him go up the ladder with a gold chain around his neck and a scarlet gown on his back? Surely not! Oh, no more should we envy the grandeur of worldly men, for every step they take, is but a step to an eternal execution!

Oh, how much more worthy of our pity, than envy is that man’s condition, who has all his happiness confined to the narrow compass of this present life but his misery extended to the uttermost bounds of an everlasting duration!

“The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire!” Luke 16:22-24