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NASB | James 1:5 ¶ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 1:5 ¶ If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. |
Bible Question:
Hi Ray! Thanks so much for your wisdom. Here's the context of my question. At my church this past weekend, the associate pastor who was preaching gave a message on "discerning your talents" and how/where one can get involved in ministry. In the message, he gave five "steps" to doing this, such as "get in the game (i.e., don't just sit there, do something", "start small", "do it with another person", etc. Yet he did not mention prayer as one of the steps. I e-mailed him, saying that I found it strange that in a message about discerning one's talents and gifts and how to use them, he did not even mention prayer as one of the steps, and in my view, the most important step. I then referred to James 1:5 in this regard. He e-mailed me back to say that my reference to James 1:5 was incorrect since its context is seeking wisdom for the reason/purpose for our suffering, and not a general verse meaning that we can sk God for wisdom in areas other than suffering. I disagree with his position, since it appears to me that if anyone lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives it generously, and is not limited to the context of the need for the wisdom. What are your thoughts? Your brother in Christ, Peter |
Bible Answer: Hi pmandassoc, I'm sorry if your associate pastor did not see prayer as important. I would have thought that he would see involvement in prayer as "getting in the game". If you are praying you are not just sitting there. A person can "start small" and be a prayer warrior by himself. It can progress to a prayer group. It can progress to being many people around the clock, etc. etc. As I said, I am sorry if he did not see that as an important step. However, my concern would be also that there is the beginning here of lack of contentment, not esteeming one another, not being in peace with one another, not encouraging one another. 1 Thess 5:15, "See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is *God's will for you in Christ Jesus." James 3:8, "But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of *God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." James 1:5, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of *God, who gives to all men generously and [Lit. does not reproach], and it will be given to him." My hope would be that you initiate a fresh start with your associate pastor in a spirit of encouragement. Just as James 1:4 says, be steadfast so that the brethren gain a perfect result, right to the end, being mature and in peace with one another. And all of that is not to say that I agree with your associate pastor in his understanding of James 1:5. Personally, I see no mention of suffering in the passage. From the heart, Ray |