Why Good Things Happen To Bad People

Most often the question is asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" This sermon focuses on why good things happen to bad people. 

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Psalm 73:1-3,7-19 (KJV)

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. [2] But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. [3] For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... [7] Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. [8] They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. [9] They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. [10] Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. [11] And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. [13] Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. [14] For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. [15] If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. [16] When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. [18] Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. [19] How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalms 73-89 (NKJV)

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" 12 This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth. 13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

The author, most attribute Psalms to be written by David, affirms the existence of God. Then he confirms the character of God: God is good. He looked around at life and looked at things going on his life an almost lost it. He was confused with the contradictions in life. If there's a God and if He's a good God, then why would he allow bad things to happen to His people? In this Psalm we see the flip side if this question of why good things happen to bad people? Wicked Godless men don't have problems and troubles that the believers have. They have no interest in the ways of God and make no attempt to live a moral life. They have a nice house, nice car, big bank account, their kids are in all the clubs and sports. Verse 3, "For I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." He was struggling with the problems of the believers while being jealous of the nonbeliever. He came to the wrong conclusion that living for The Lord wasn't worth it; v16 it was too painful for me. It wasn't until verse 17 that he understood why. God blesses when we are faithful. Coming to church is when we often get that answer we have been seeking from God. Coming to church is when we receive the blessing of renewed covenant. Coming to church refills the emptiness that only God can fill.

When it comes to the past, there is one thing that all people have in common: we have all sinned and fell short of the measure of perfection. Genuine guilt is caused by sin. God has created us in such a way that creates guilt. But our culture has changed our perception that people have sin. To have sin would mean to face guilt and to admit you have fallen short of perfection. Everyone has to deal with the guilt of past sin. There is also the condemnation of sin; to be judged. Those without Christ are on death row of eternity, which is the ultimate of judgements. Burden of sin is another commonality. It snowballs until it smothers us. That is why it is so important to have Jesus in your life. To know you have only to confess your sins, to invite Christ in your heart, that He will wash away and forgive all your sins is what it's all about. That Christ was born, died and rose again to take away the sin of man, bear the burden of man upon Himself so that we would not have to suffer the eternal suffering.

Would you like to have a burden lifted today? Would you like to have that heavy load removed from your shoulders? That why it's so important to know The Lord. Only He can do that for us.

While we all have a sin past, we have a lot of people who can't live life in today. People who are not happy with no matter what they have. It seems the more they have, the less they're happy. Solomon was a great example of this. Ecclesiastes is a wonderful book to read for this example. He tried all worldly things to find joy and happiness; to find knowledge. The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

The future has to be planned for, we have to look toward the future. When we look at those who don't know The Lord, the word to use is fear, fear of death. V 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. We are one day closer to death each day we awaken. We do not know the day, but are you prepared? Do you know God? Can you face the judgement of living a Christ-denied life to spend eternity in hell? One cannot live a dual life and make it. If you will accept Him as your savior, and when you do, you will feel a life changing fire fill you. If you truly mean it, you want Him to be your savior, you can't help but to want to live a better life. All the other worldly things won't matter. You will only want to spread the word so others can know His love and grace, so they, too can feel the forgiveness of God.

To summarize, why good things happen to bad people, a lot of times a destruction is thought to be what moves people to God. But mostly, that just hardens people against God. It isn't trials and tribulations that lead people to repent. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Goodness of God leads to repentance. Good things happen to bad people because He wants to lead those lost to Him through those blessings.