You Can Be wealthy Through Corrupt Deals?

Habakkuk 2:6
…“‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods
and makes himself wealthy by extortion!
How long must this go on?’

Habakkuk 2:9
“Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain,
setting his nest on high
to escape the clutches of ruin!

Habakkuk 2:10
You have plotted the ruin of many peoples,
shaming your own house and forfeiting your life.

The book of Habakkuk is made of the prophet’s complaints and God’s response. This section is God’s second response. Among many things that God says in this response is that it will be very unfortunate if anyone builds a house using unjust gain. That means it is possible to build a house using unjust gain, but it will not end in the excitement of having a house but in punishment for the unjust acquisition of that money.

Corruption is when one abuses their position and privilege for personal gain. Corruption includes many dishonest acts such as abuse of office, misappropriation of funds, theft, unprocedural operations, etc. What is common with corruption is that the end of the process benefits the individual(s) involved. Through corruption, we can become wealthy and acquire personal property.

Woe is defined by Oxford Languages as great sorrow or distress. Therefore the Bible says woe to him who piles up stolen goods. Woe to him who builds a house by unjust gain. There will be great distress for or distress for anyone who will pile up wealth that comes from corruption. Anyone who builds a house by the proceeds of corruption will go through a distressful and sorrowful time.

God also promises to punish those who plot the ruin of many. Corrupt people ruin people. They ruin people so that no one stands in the way of their corrupt dealings. They ruin people who question their ways. Corrupt people prefer people who agree without questioning. Therefore they ruin anyone who questions. They ruin people who fight their corrupt ways. It has been said that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back.

God’s second response to Habakkuk’s second Complaint tells us a lot. You can actually gain wealth, significant wealth, attractive wealth, admirable wealth, through corruption. God tells us that it is possible to even build a house, a big modern magnificent house using corrupt deals. God doesn’t always stop the corrupt when they begin, God waits for the right time.

As corrupt people amass wealth and exhibit wealth through luxurious living, they seem invincible and untouchable. Corrupt people are corrupt for a long time not a brief short time. Corrupt people are corrupt long enough to acquire enough wealth. Corrupt people are corrupt long enough to build a house. During that long reign of the corrupt many are ruined. It seems corruption carries the day. If you can’t beat them, join them, but not yet. God warns that they will amass wealth for long and build for long, but they will not sit to enjoy. God will at the opportune time bring distress.

When the corrupt are now ready to sit back and enjoy what they have collected and built, God will call their bluff. God will unleash the agony and distress that they least expected. Life will become unbearable for them and they will not enjoy anything that came from corruption and ruining others. You can be wealthy through corrupt deals but not forever. God will ensure you do not enjoy it.

What comes by hardworking is blessed by God. It may not be as much as that which comes by corruption, but it will bring true joy and sustainable enjoyment. We should work hard and pray against greed. We should work hard without ruining anyone. We should work hard and find joy even in small achievements. May God save us from corruption and any corrupt dealings.

Dear God, I desire some more resources to make me comfortable in life. I need a greater income. I pray that I will not pile up stolen goods to make myself wealthy. I pray that I will not build a house or another property using unjust gain. I pray that I will not plot the ruin of anyone. Save me and grant me wealth that is sustainable, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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