The Wicked Prosper?

"Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy" (Jeremiah 12:1)?

When we are comfortable in our own ways, when life is good to us, when we don't really have to live by faith because we "know what tomorrow will bring," we are not really well off. In reality we have come to a sad and pitiful state, having lost sight of what it really means to be thankful to God for all of his blessings.

This is a good occasion for God to work humility in our lives. Let us do it before he does!

But as for unbelievers the question is, Why do they prosper? Shouldn't God's people be better off than the wicked? The answer to the latter is that we are better off in that our riches are not earthly but heavenly. We live in the here and now but we also live with our eyes fixed on the eternal. Our father has it all! This world is not for us. We are merely passing through. Here we work for what is to come. Our reward is in heaven. The unbeliever may be happy and comfortable in the here and now but the day draws near when all will be lost to them; their worldly possessions and most importantly--their soul! Remember what our Lord said, "what profit is there if a man gains the whole world and loses his soul" (Mat. 16:26)?
But why does the wicked prosper? It is God's will that it be so (at least in this world not the next). Every opportunity is afforded to them for their repentance. But they do not acknowledge God, his grace, his mercy, or his gift of prosperity. His "rain falls on the just and the unjust" (Mat. 5:45). But they do not appreciate this. Rather they say, "Leave us alone! What can the almighty do for us? They have forgotten that he (God) filled their homes with good things" (Job 22:18). Do not take God's long suffering and grace for granted as regards this earthly comfort if this is your case. Rather surrender all to him.