James now says a few words on obtaining wisdom. This is especially needed if we are going to know how to act and bear up under trial.

"If any of you lack wisdom ..." Notice the diplomatic way he approaches his subject. He does not come out flatly and say, "Most of you are ignorant and you need to get some wisdom from God"; as if to say, "Some of you may be lacking in this needy virtue."

"... lack wisdom ..." If those Christians were like some of us they lacked wisdom. Situations often arise requiring wisdom, and often we do not have it. Why, because we do not ask of God. Sometimes a Christian may do the most asinine thing. While such occasionally happens, it is totally unnecessary. A Child of God need never do a foolish thing, if he/she would always remember to ask of God.

What is wisdom?: An old preacher wrote: “During my first sermon, I had occasion to quote Proverbs 9:10, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.’ Later I was asked, ‘What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?’ At that time, it was a difficult question, because I had never given it much thought.”

Wisdom is more than knowledge. One might have a lot of facts in his head, and yet have no wisdom to use these facts to advantage. Some with much education have little or no wisdom. Others have little education, yet are very wise. One might have much knowledge of the Bible and yet have no spiritual discernment. Others newly converted, having little knowledge, often show great spiritual discernment.

Natural wisdom: There is a natural wisdom and an acquired wisdom. Both come from God. Some manifest great wisdom from their infancy. They are born with it and are quick to grasp a thing and quick to use it rightly. When this natural wisdom is used for the Lord it is wonderful, but too often it is set against Him. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 we read much of this natural wisdom that refuses the will of the Lord. If we are interested in this aspect of human wisdom, we should carefully study this portion. The world still calls the preaching of the cross foolishness, but the Lord says, "The foolishness of God is wiser than men" (1 Cor. 1:25). Strange to say, often the wisest in worldly things are the densest when it comes to spiritual things. "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called" (1 Cor. 1:26).

Wisdom needed badly: We desperately need wisdom, especially in time of trial. It is especially difficult to act wisely when trials and troubles sweep over us. We need wisdom to bear these triumphantly. Wisdom is needed for many other things, too. Scores of perplexing problems vex us every day. We need wisdom in guiding our affairs and judging things rightly.

Wisdom greatly to be desired: We read in Job 28:18, "The price of wisdom is above rubies." In Proverbs 4:7 we have, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." This is the principal theme of the book of Proverbs. All seem to desire wisdom, but few have it. Not many know that it can be had from God for the asking.

The Bible and wisdom: The Bible is inspired by God, and He gives wisdom by His Spirit as one searches the Word. An honest student of the Word will usually manifest wisdom in all things. Whoever wrote Psalms 119 was very wise, and he ascribes his wisdom to knowledge of the Word of God. He says in verse 98, "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies." Then in verse 99, "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation."

A wise student: A Christian contractor once said, "I hold a responsible position building homes. The president of the company recently asked me, 'What university did you attend?' 'I never attended any university, sir.' 'You didn't? But, you surely went to college.' 'No sir, to tell the truth, I never finished high school.' 'Well, I am surprised; you talk and act every bit like a university graduate. How do you account for that?' 'The only way I can account for it is that I have made a study of the Bible – the Bible has given me any wisdom I may have."

“…ask of God…” Our verse does not say, "If any of you lack wisdom let him go to college." Education can give great knowledge, but not wisdom in using that knowledge. The Jews thought the rabbis were the source of true wisdom because they were students of the ancients. Perhaps it startled some of James' readers to think that he by-passed them altogether and said "ask of God."

Advice from men: It may not be wrong to consult man on some matters, but it is never wrong to consult the Lord. Let us never seek advice from the world on matters moral or spiritual. It is often well to consult spiritual Christians, but it is better to search the Scriptures, and to ask God. Even spiritual Christians may be wrong, but the Lord and His Word are always right.

Lean not unto thine own understanding: There is great danger of a Christian approaching a vexing situation, looking over it carefully, and then acting as he thinks best under the conditions. This he should never do. In Proverbs 3:5 we read, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not upon thine own understanding." We may reason ever so cautiously, but we cannot foresee the future. It is so much better to let the Lord take hold of the wheel of our ship, than to try and steer our own course. As the boat needs a pilot to guide it through treacherous waters, so we too, need a pilot to guide us through the dangerous shoals of this life.

Let Him lead: If we let Him hold the wheel of our ship, we may find Him leading in a way we did not expect. A missionary wrote the below paragraph:

Once, while serving the Lord in a foreign country, I was looking for a certain lady to speak to her about the Lord. There were two farms owned by brothers in that area, and she had purchased one of them. I was unable to find the farm. While searching the area, I stopped at another farm and was given directions by another lady. As I was leaving I thanked her, giving her a Bible along with an invitation to attend our Bible study. Did you say you lived in that first cottage down the road? When I assured her I did, she said, 'My husband and I have lived here for two years and have said that we wanted to meet you and your wife, but we have put it off. But now we certainly will. Yes, we will attend your Bible study.' And they did. The Lord led me to the wrong farm to find the right woman.

Such events demonstrate the wisdom of the Lord.

God's wisdom in creation: Everything in creation shows the wisdom of God. Consider all the Lord accomplishes through the sun. By it He heats and lights the whole earth. How puny man's lights and heating plants are beside His. The sun also draws up the water that causes it to rain. His vast sprinkling system is a marvel. The sun also causes the change in seasons, regulates day and night, and holds the earth in its proper place. All this demonstrates the mighty wisdom of God.

Little things show His wisdom: We turn from the mighty sun to the little things on this earth: to the little bird, the little flower, yea, the smallest insect. They all show His mighty wisdom. They also show us that He is the source of all wisdom. He is: all loving, all powerful, and all wise. If we are to be wise, we must get our wisdom from the Lord.

"... let him ask of God ..." Here is a simple definition of prayer: "ask of God." This is the first of many references to prayer in the book of James. Here in our present text, he is suggesting prayer in connection with things of the mind. In 4:3, he speaks of unanswered prayers—asked for selfish purposes. In 5:13-15, it is prayer in time of physical trouble; in 5:16, for one another; and last in 5:17, 18, about material things, as Elijah prayed concerning rain. We need to pray about all things.

Not easy to pray: It is comparatively easy to preach about prayer, but not so easy to do it. If you want to give one who preaches on prayer an uneasy five minutes, ask him how much time he spends in prayer. Tradition says that James was called "camel knees." This was because he spent so much time in prayer that both of his knees had a hard callous, like the knees of a camel. If this was so, he really had a right to write about prayer. He practiced what he preached.

Man of prayer – Jacob: We have many examples of men of prayer in the Bible. Jacob, through his own folly, got into desperate circumstances. He was returning to Canaan, and Esau, whom he had deceived and cheated, was coming to meet him with 400 men, and Jacob was afraid. We see him praying and wrestling with the Lord, and prevailing. We find him acting very wisely too, and a terrible catastrophe was averted (Gen. 32 and 33).

Daniel prayed: Daniel was a great man of prayer. Three times a day he opened his windows toward Jerusalem and prayed to his God. This accounts for his wisdom and advancement in Babylon. He says in Daniel 2:20: "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his." His prayers brought him into trouble, but the Lord was with him in it, and brought him out of it.

Solomon asked of God: Solomon is perhaps the best illustration of our text in the Scriptures, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." Shortly after he ascended the throne the Lord said to him, "Ask what I shall give thee." Solomon did not ask for long life, or riches, or victory over his enemies, but for wisdom to rule the people of Israel aright (1 Kin. 3:5-12). This greatly pleased the Lord and He gave him far more than he asked. If we ask for wisdom like Solomon, the Lord will be highly pleased with us too.

The Lord Jesus prayed constantly: As we read through the Gospels, we notice that the Lord Jesus was constantly in touch with His Father. After a busy day, He would steal away to be alone with Him, sometimes spending the whole night in prayer. If He needed this, surely we do too.

He desires to bless: These examples and many others we could note surely should encourage us to lay hold of God. We can never come too often, nor ask too much. The world hates a beggar, but not the Lord. He is waiting to bless those who come to Him with requests. He especially delights to give wisdom. He wants His children to be wise. Especially in time of trial, should we ask for wisdom, not for the trial to be removed, but for wisdom to bear it victoriously. Let us not, however, bow down and ask, and then get up to act on our own hasty impulses, but let us wait patiently for Him to lead in the right way.

"... that giveth to all men ..." God is a great giver. He does not charge for anything, the sun light, heat, or the rain. He really is the giver of everything we eat and wear and use. The farmer charges for our potatoes, but not the Lord. And this is true of everything in the world. And these natural gifts are not to a special class of saved or unsaved, but to "all men." "For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt. 5:45).

Spiritual gifts: The Lord does not charge for spiritual blessings either. He gave His Son (John 3:16). He gives eternal life (Rom. 6:23). He gives peace (John 14:27). He gave His Word (John 17:8). He gave His Spirit (John 14:16). He will give us glory (John 17:22). With Christ, He freely gives us all things (Rom. 8:32).

Men love a giver: Men normally love a giver. If you desire many friends, be free in giving. Yet most have no room for the greatest giver of all. As Christians, how we should appreciate our wonderful giving Father. Remember, if we are to receive gifts not common to all men, we must ask of God. Christ said to the woman at Samaria's well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water (John 4:10).

"... liberally ..." Our Lord not only gives, but He gives liberally. This is true naturally and also spiritually. The truth of His liberality is seen in the human body. We have more of most of our organisms than we really require. By disease or operation we may lose a lung, or a kidney, or half of our liver and live with little apparent ill effect. Other organs, such as gall bladder, appendix, or tonsils, may be removed entirely and we get along. We may lose an eye and still see, or an ear and still hear, or half our teeth and still chew. This is true of most everything in nature. Half the blossoms on a tree may freeze and the tree will still bear a good crop of fruit. Liberal in spiritual gifts: The Lord is also liberal with spiritual blessings. When you were saved perhaps all you thought was, "My sins are forgiven; I will not go to hell." Did you know about the score of other things you received along with your salvation? Did you know you were given His Spirit, and a new nature; that you were made a son and an heir of God?

Gives as a King: He gives far more than you ask or think. He gives like a father to his son. Alexander the Great gave liberally for some cause. When questioned about it, he said, "I give as a king." Our Lord gives as the infinite God. How wonderful to be His recipient.

Man may upbraid: If you ask favors of man, they may be granted, but with them may come plenty of advice or complaint. "If you had done the right thing you would not need this favor." "Why are you asking me for this help? I can hardly afford it." "You always come at the wrong time," etc., etc.

"... and upbraideth not ..." Our Father is different; He gives without grudging and without complaint. He does not reprimand for past or present failures. You can come to Him any time, day or night, just as often as you like. He gives unstintingly, expecting no recompense. The prodigal son came back to his father in rags, with his portion of goods all squandered, but his father upbraided not. He deserved nothing but a good lecture, and to be turned out again. He desired to be received as one of the hired servants, but he was given full sonship, the best robe and a welcome feast, far more than he hoped (Luke 15). There is only one thing for which He will upbraid us. We read in Mark 16:14, "He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart." We must ask in faith, as our next verse explains.

"... and it shall be given him." The promise at the end of our verse is definite and sure, "It shall be given him." The Lord has things to give, and wants to give them, and will give them for the asking, but we must believe in Him and obey His commandments. Some might say, "That maybe all right for someone else, but it is not for me." It is for you, if you ask and believe. The Lord Jesus says exactly the same thing in Matthew 7:7-11. In verse 7, He says, "Ask and it shall be given you." In verse 8, "For everyone that asketh receiveth." In verse 11, "How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him." Especially is this true if we ask for wisdom. "For the Lord giveth wisdom" (Prov. 2:6).

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