Good Guys may Finish Last, but they always Finish on Top

Many people feel that doing what is right does not really pay off.   They will say things like good guys finish last.  When you look at the back of the book, it clearly says that the good guys win in the end.  Good guys may finish last, but they always finish on top. Make no mistake about this.  At the end of the day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord ^{(Phil 2:10-11)}.  Below is a brief summary of what the Scripture has to say regarding how behaving right or behaving wrong actually pays off. 

Why Behaving Bad does not really pay off.

Wicked Fools don’t really think through what they do before they do it.  They are lured by the bait evil has to offer, but they never quite anticipate being trapped by the trouble it causes.  Craving the bait, they gulp it down and never realize exactly what actually trips them up.  Their lack of judgment is what ultimately kills them.  Wisdom eludes them because they don’t want to hear it.  They think of themselves as all too clever; believing they will never be caught.  They never realize that those who take crooked paths will always be found out.  What you try to conceal will always eventually be exposed.  A fool’s own sin becomes his own undoing.  His own chatter becomes his ruin.  Look for trouble and it will always find you.  Treat someone badly and they will likely treat you in kind.  What goes around eventually comes back around to you.  The wicked have been sold a deceptive bill of goods.  They bring trouble on themselves.  Any plunder to be gained is hardly worth all the trouble they incur for it. Misfortune pursues the sinner relentlessly.  A wicked man may run for a while from what he has coming to him, but what he dreads always catches with him.  His life is always cut short. Know with certainty that they will always be punished.  All they hope for comes to nothing.  A man cannot establish his life on wickedness.  Why invite a beating? Why ruin and destroy yourself?  Better to settle for honest pay than inherit all that trouble.

Why Behaving Right really does pay off.

A righteous man gives thoughts to his ways.  He weighs his answers and knows what is fitting.  Through his knowledge, the righteous man avoids trouble.  Because He guards his way, He guards his life.  He walks uprightly because He fears the Lord.  By acknowledging God, the righteous make their path straight.  They accept God’s word, and the years of their life become many.  In seeking the good of others and they themselves find goodwill.  Their kindness benefits them and gains them respect.  The Lord loves those who pursue righteousness.  He hears their prayer and shows them favor.  The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry; he actually lets them eat to their heart’s content.  He holds victory in store for them and protects them.  They escape trouble.  They thrive like a green leaf.  Pursue righteousness and love and you will find life, prosperity and honor.  Blessings will crown your head and what you desire will be granted.  The reward for the righteous will always be made sure.  They truly attain life; they cannot be uprooted or shamed.  No harm befalls them. Know with certainty they will always be vindicated. Their road is the path to immortality. 

The Righteous will see the fate of the Wicked

Scripture teaches that both the righteous and the wicked will see each other’s fate. The believer will observe with their own eyes the humiliation and punishment of the wicked by God (Ps 91:8). When the wicked are cut off, the righteous will see it (Ps 37:34). They will see the defeat of their adversaries and how the wicked are routed (Ps 92:11). The righteous will see their downfall (Prov 29:16). The righteous will look for the place of the wicked and it will be no more (Ps 37:10). They will go out and look upon the corpses of those who have transgressed God whose worm does not die and fire is not quenched (Isa 66:24). The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him who did not trust in God (Ps 52:6-7). I suppose the reason for showing everyone the punishment of the wicked will be to drive home a point to the Righteous. The point of what could have been had they not trusted in God and kept his ways. When the righteous come to understand the end for the wicked, they will no longer envy their path (Ps 73:17). They will also be eternally grateful for what God has done for them.

The Wicked will see the fate of the Righteous

Moreover, the wicked will see the victory and triumph of the believer. Evil men will bow down before the righteous (Prov 14:19). The fool serve the wise (Prov 11:29). They will be forced to fall down at their feet and acknowledge that God loves the believer (Rev 3:9). The wicked man will see all their blessing and be vexed gnashing their teeth as they waste away (Ps 112:10). I suppose the reason for showing everyone the blessing of the righteous will also be to drive home a point to the wicked. The point of what could have been their own if they only trusted God and did what was right. It will serve as a reminder to them of the foolish choices they have made in life and make them reflect on it with eternal regret. The rich man in agony was forced to observe the blessing of Lazarus and vice versa (Luke 16:19-31).
If what is outlined above is the fate for the righteous and the wicked, would it not makes sense to do what is right even it appears that you are coming in last. Does it not say that the first will be last and the last will be first? Before death, it is never too late for a living man to repent and avoid such a fate.