Wishing for Sin  
 

by Robert Turner

The wealthy have many friends (Proverbs 19:4); and the bread of falsehood is sweet (20:17). We may get treasures by lying (21:6); and the rich rule over the poor (22:7). Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Sometimes those who should know better are jealous of the apparent gains of sinners. When we notice such an attitude we feel it is time to lock the door and hide the sugar bowl. We cannot consider a man very pious who looks longingly toward “the advantages” of the worldly.

Solomon knew that “there is a just one who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked one who prolongs life in his wickedness” (Ecc. 7:15; 8:11–14) but he said this too was vanity. When we see the wicked prosper we face real temptations: (1) to consider our lesser fortune a sign of piety, and become self-righteous—“holier than thou”; (2) to envy the wicked (Proverbs 24:1); (3) to fail in our understanding of true values, distinguishing “the meat that perishes” from that which endures unto everlasting life; and (4) allowing the wish to become mother to the deeds.

James says a man is tempted when he is “drawn away of his own lust and enticed” (1:14). A man who is happy with his wife doesn’t go around saying, “Why couldn’t I have had a woman like that one over there.” And one who is happy with Christ does not look longingly toward Satan’s realm. We envy the worldly man for one reason only—because we are worldly.

The friends of the wealthy are often shallow; and the sweet bread of deceit becomes gravel. The liar’s treasures are vapor; and “he that oppresseth the poor to increase his gain . . . shall come to want” (Proverbs 22:16). The proverbial wisdoms given here are backed not only by inspiration, but are repeatedly proven in life.

Then, we must recognize the necessity for reviewing our goals and the standards by which we hope to achieve them. Like Abraham, if we are forever mindful of that materialistic state from whence we came, we may have opportunity to return. But we desire a heavenly country; so God is not ashamed to be called our God: for He has prepared for us a city (Hebrews 11:15).

 

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