We travel farther and fly higher than any previous generation in history. We accumulate data as never before. The computer age is advancing at almost the speed of light. Yet, while knowledge is increasing, wisdom is decreasing.

Many lives are in shambles. Suicide rates are higher than ever before. Morals are at a record low. Divorce claims half of those who are married. While we possess great knowledge, we must admit that we are missing one very important ingredient: WISDOM!!

In this one verse, James shows us the vastness of our resource by showing us:

1. James beautifully ties this is in with the closing thought of the previous section(vv. 2-4), by the use of similar words. In v. 4, he expressed his desire for us to be "entire, wanting nothing". Now, he ties it together with the opening of v. 5, "If any of you lack wisdom".

2. It appears that he is assuming that there is a deficiency, on our part, for wisdom. Therefore, to get a better understanding of what is really lacking, we must get a clear meaning of what wisdom is. Let's look at some Biblical definitions:

4. Thus, James is apparently admonishing us that there might be a deficiency in this category for believers.

5. Too often we rely upon Human Reasoning rather than Divine Resources.

You face an important decision, of which two or more choices are open to you.

Very carefully you weigh the pros, and cons, the advantages, and disadvantages.

The issue seems to lean in one particular direction. In your mind, you're thinking

"So far, so good!"

6. However, if our decision is based upon reasoning, rather than wisdom, it will ultimately be the wrong decision.

7. James seems to be stressing this point: "Don't rely upon mere human reasoning, but upon the Divine Resource!"

There is a deficiency, on our part, by now he shows:

3. James seems to give the solution to the problem of our deficiency, by showing his sufficiency.

4. How can one get wisdom? "let him ask of God!"

3. One of the Almighty's chiefest attributes is his wisdom.

4. Wisdom doesn't come from Plato, Aristotle, or Socrates. Wisdom comes from God.

5. Thus, James encourages us, in our deficiency of wisdom, by informing us that his sufficiency makes this wisdom available to us as we face life's many twists and turns.

6. However, he doesn't stop there, he goes on to show how eager God is to impart this unto us. He shows that:

LIBERALLY(lit.): "bountifully, abundantly, or generously"

WORD IS CONNECTED WITH 'bountifully' in I Cor. 9:6

a. James shows that God is not hoarding all of this up for himself; nor, is he stingy with it.

b. On the contrary, if we will but ask, he is more than generous to give it to us.

a. James is demonstrating a blessed truth here; that, when we come to God for wisdom, he doesn't beat us over the head, make fun of us, or disgrace us.

b. He knows we have need of Divine Wisdom; therefore, he is gracious in his giving of it to us.

Many of the gifts we give or receive have some sort of strings attached. Those

gifts are used as opportunities to belittle, insult, or rebuke someone.

c. However, God never says, "You made your bed, now lie in it," or "I told you so!"

d. He is gracious, not giving based upon what we deserve, if that were the case, not a one of us would receive it.

e. He gives because it's his nature to do so.

The story is told of an old woman who lived alone. She was so poor that she

found it hard to pay her rent. One morning, her pastor came to her door. He

knocked, several times, but there was no reply. Later that afternoon, he came

back, knocked again, but still no answer. He looked in the window, and saw the

old lady huddled up against the fireplace. When she saw him, she welcomed him

in. He said, "I came this morning, but there was no answer." She replied, "Oh, I

heard you knocking, but I thought you had come to collect the rent."

f. Praise His Name! It's not that way with the Lord, he gives generously, and graciously; but James also shows that:

. What a blessed promise! All we must do is but ask the one who gives generously, and graciously, and he will give it to us genuinely.

. If we will but see Our Deficiency, and see His Sufficiency; and ask him for this priceless gift of wisdom, we'll find that he'll give it to us Generously, Graciously, and Genuinely. HALLELUJAH, WHAT A GOD!!!!

James focuses upon the manner by which we petition, and ask God. Thus, he shows that there must be:

2. We see the prerequisite for our request is: FAITH!

3. We might say that this is the secret for successful praying.

4. We might say that this is the secret for successful living.

WAVERETH(lit.): "to be in strife, or division with oneself"

SAME WORD AS 'staggered' in Romans 4:20

4. James likened the doubting man to a wave of the sea who direction is dictated by the winds that blow.

5. Our faith, and belief must not be affected by the winds of circumstances.

Remember Simon Peter, when he walked upon the water(c.f. Matthew 14:22-33). As long as he kept his eyes upon the Lord, everything was fine. However, "when he saw the wind" he began to sink. Jesus asked, "Wherefore didst thou doubt?"(v.31)

6. Faith is not like a stamp we put on an envelope, or a hopeful shot in the dark. It's not even having faith in a prayer; but, the faith referred to here is belief in A PERSON!!

James shows that there must also be:

a. UNSUCCESSFUL MAN (v. 7)

a. This is the man who thinks God owes him something.

. This man feels as if it is God's duty to bless him, and give him spiritual wisdom.

. James calls this man an unsuccessful man.

IDEA: Of one with two thought patterns, a soul divided between faith and world

PICTURE: Of a man wanting the best of both worlds

. He wants to trust God, and in himself at the same time; as a result, he finds himself torn between the two.

. James says this man in uncertain, which causes him to be an:

UNSTABLE(lit.): "unsettled, unsteady"

WORD IS DERIVED FROM WORD FOR 'confusion' in I Cor. 14:33

"For God is not the author of confusion…."

. Because this man is uncertain, he is unsteady. It is as if he says on one hand, "I believe", on the other hand, "I doubt."

. He is confused, torn, and unsteady in his spiritual walk.

. The tragedy is because he won't turn loose of the world, and himself, he can't lay hold upon the firmness of unchanging God.

. Because he's unsteady in his relationship with God, he is unsteady in all that he does. May the Holy Ghost help us to not only have Faith in our Request, but Firmness in our Request, and may we make our life's creed, the fine words of Robert Keen:

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith, in his excellent Word!"

He again uses a vivid illustration to drive home his point; thus, admonishing us to contemplate our response of how we would react if we found ourself in one of the two following pictures. He shows us the:

2. It would appear, at first look, that James is contradicting himself. However, James displays a wonderful, and beautiful paradox.

3. The man referred to here as a "brother of low degree" is one low on the economic scale, who is poor and powerless.

4. The world may think him to mean nothing. However, James informs us that this man can "rejoice". Why? Because he belongs to God!

5. He may not have much of the world's goods, but he "holds a clear title to a mansion, that Jesus has gone to prepare!"

6. This man with poverty can rejoice, because he has looked through the eyes of spiritual wisdom, he has evaluated things in the light of how God sees them.

8. On the flip side of the coin, James shows us a man who has been richly blessed.

9. On the world's scaled, this is one of the elite. He has everything anyone would ever want.

10. The message here is not that God is "against his people having things, but he is against things having his people!"

11. Therefore, the man that has achieved spiritual wisdom, realizes that God is the giver(c.f. James 1:17), the blesser, and these material goods are just temporary.

12. The spiritually-minded rich man realizes that, "..a man's life consisteth not in the things which he possesseth."(c.f. Luke 12:15)

13. Therefore, he too, like the man with poverty can rejoice, for he realizes while these things are good, he has something far greater that awaits him.