In the biblical narrative, the concept of the wicked deriving happiness from their wealth is a recurring theme that highlights the transient and deceptive nature of material prosperity. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into how the wicked often find their sense of happiness and security in their accumulated riches, yet this is portrayed as ultimately fleeting and unsatisfactory.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 73:3-12: The psalmist Asaph reflects on the prosperity of the wicked, expressing his initial envy of their apparent success. He observes, "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men" . This passage illustrates how the wicked appear to live in ease and abundance, deriving happiness from their wealth and the comforts it brings.

2. Proverbs 10:22: "The blessing of the LORD enriches, and He adds no sorrow to it" . This proverb contrasts the true blessing of the Lord with the wealth of the wicked, implying that while the wicked may find temporary happiness in their riches, it is not accompanied by the lasting joy and peace that come from God's blessing.

3. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12: Solomon, known for his wisdom, writes, "He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit is there to the owner except to behold them with his eyes?" . This passage underscores the insatiable nature of wealth and the futility of seeking happiness in material possessions.

4. Luke 12:16-21: Jesus shares the parable of the rich fool, who finds happiness in his abundant harvest and plans to store up his wealth for future ease. However, God says to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?" . This parable serves as a stark reminder of the temporary nature of wealth and the ultimate futility of relying on it for happiness.

5. James 5:1-3: James warns the rich, "Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail for the misery to come upon you. Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire" . This passage highlights the impending judgment and the deceptive security that wealth provides to the wicked.

Theological Insights:

The Bible consistently portrays the happiness of the wicked as being rooted in their material wealth, yet it also emphasizes the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of such happiness. The Scriptures warn against the allure of riches and the false sense of security they provide. The wicked may appear to thrive and find joy in their wealth, but this is depicted as a shallow and temporary state, lacking the true and lasting joy that comes from a relationship with God.

The biblical narrative encourages believers to seek their happiness and security in God rather than in material possessions. True contentment and joy are found in the blessings of the Lord, which are enduring and not subject to the decay and corruption that characterize earthly wealth.Job 21:13
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 52:7
See, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... Another confirmation derived from the former and from the nature of God ... there a pit
of eternal destruction to swallow up the wicked, of whose happiness it is ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... are strangers to true felicity imagine that happiness exists, what ... we have as our
neighbours wicked men, among ... by whomsoever they are spoken, derived from the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... men who did fear God, and desire the happiness of their ... of some to "rise up against
the wicked," and join ... his daring enemies, may already have derived upon our ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Characters and Names of Messiah
... promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the ... who are ready
to perish, and the happiness of all ... There is no peace to the wicked (Isaiah 57 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon ix characters and names.htm

The Seventh Book
... midst of their iniquity, and devoured the happiness of former ... fault was still more
serious and wicked than this ... not clear through what channel Salvian derived it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Temptation of Jesus
... of His Ministry, it cannot have been derived from Jewish ... nations of the world, because
of the wicked Persians ... showed to Moses Israel in its happiness, wars, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the temptation of.htm

Homiletical.
... is a certain advantage to be derived from the ... intoxicated characters, when they define
happiness as consisting ... part either of the unfortunate or of the wicked. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/iv homiletical.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... This is my home, hence was I derived, here shall I ... increases my amazement; He often
grants happiness to good ... to the good and grants the desires of the wicked. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

The First Christmas Carol
... man; but I never knew any man who derived much comfort ... verse, this song of angels,
stir your heart with happiness? ... You need not think it a wicked thing to be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the first christmas carol.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... what he had expected, and called Athens an empty happiness. ... of the Godhead, and became
a wicked creature reducing ... my God, from Whom they too derived their power ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

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