Last week we began our walk through James with a discussion on trials, temptations, and suffering. We learned that rather than curse these things, we need to embrace them with a type of joy, understanding that through these undesirable circumstances we build steadfast faith which is eternally valuable. This week James will look at the topic of wisdom. Wisdom is a topic that James discusses frequently in this letter, and today’s passage is his introduction to the topic. First mentions are often worth noting in the bible so let’s begin by reading chapter 1:5- 11.

If any of you lacks wisdom,

God is the source of all true wisdom

First, James describes God as not only the source of wisdom but that He generously gives wisdom to all that would ask without reproach, (or scold or “put down” to use a more common term). This phrase tells us a lot about the character of God. He is generous and kind and wants us to have wisdom. Think about the first temptation in the garden of Eden for a moment. Here the serpent implied to Eve that God was just the opposite. He implied that God was withholding wisdom from them because he knew that if they had it they would be like God. The implication being that God did not want that. In this passage:

James demolishes the literal “oldest lie in the book” with his first sentence regarding wisdom.

God is not “hidden” in the way that many philosophers would fret about. He is ready and waiting to give wisdom to all that would ask. God has opened a path back to Him for anyone that would seek it. But there is one catch…

An important proviso

We must ask in faith. When we sinned in the Garden of Eden so long ago, our first mistake was not eating the forbidden fruit. Our sin began by believing that God is not good, believing that He is holding back good things from us, and therefore can not be trusted. So God’s plan is to provide us with a road back to Him through His Son Jesus. But it is the road of faith, we must repent of the suspicion and distrust of God that brought us here in the first place, and trust in His goodness and generosity. We must believe that he is not withholding wisdom, He is not stingy or cruel or hiding from us, He can be trusted with our whole heart for He is the ultimate good.

Now wholeheartedness seems to be a big concern for James in this letter, it is a theme he touches from many angles. Here he speaks to the “unbelieving believer” that is like a wave of the sea tossed around whichever way the wind blows. Such a request can’t be taken seriously by God because it is not even believed by the one making the request. A person like this is double-minded, he is sure of nothing but open to everything, and he is unstable in all his ways. James bluntly states that a person like this should not expect anything from the Lord.

Wisdom, humility, and reality

Finally James makes a statement that at first blush almost seems like a change of subject. He talks about the rich and the poor. He describes how the poor are exalted and the rich will fade away like a flower. But the poor in this case are not simply the impoverished but the faithful poor. And the rich in this scenario are those caught up in their pursuit of riches and the associated earthly glories. While this is not explicitly said here he will come back to the subject of rich and poor believers in the church later. This I think is a preamble to that discussion.

The poor that James is describing have no hope but Jesus, they are wise in that they are looking nowhere else for help. They may be poor now but because of their faith they will be exalted by God in eternity. Rich believers however are much more inclined to be double minded trying to pursue both God and money.(As if that is possible.)

So what is James trying to say here? Wisdom requires a desire for wisdom, as proverbs often teaches. The poor have this desire forced on them by their need every day. This is difficult for the poor and they feel it, but James reminds them that they will be rewarded for their faith. Wisdom reminds the rich on the other hand to remember that their riches will fade and that their pursuit of riches is ultimately futile. Wisdom brings eternal riches, money and fame do not. Realizing this is the first step toward the wisdom of God. And by the way, if you are “not rich” you are not safe from this double mindedness, sometimes the poor are more focused on riches than the rich.

So how do we walk the path of wisdom?

God will not force himself on anyone, but neither will he hide himself from anyone if they ask Him for wisdom in faith. The first step, as always, is our desire to be wise. This week let’s not substitute information for wisdom. Today let’s spend 20 minutes in prayer rather than 20 minutes flipping through social media. Let’s get true wisdom from God instead of being manipulated by the news and corporate Ad agencies. We can always choose how we spend our free moments. Let’s not waste them this week. Let’s commit to helping each other focus on wisdom. Let’s speak life to each other this week. And may we always pursue things that have eternal value, for that pursuit is the road to wisdom.

Let me close with a familiar quote from Proverbs:

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

Have a great week!