Count trials as all joy: God’s purpose is to grow our faith to endure (Jas 1:3)

James 1:5-8 Ask God for wisdom, he gives it generously. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding - Prov 2:6

God is portrayed as the source of all wisdom. He is the all-knowing being who gives wisdom to those who ask for it. James recognizes that we need God’s wisdom, we are not sufficiently wise.

v. 6. Ask with the right attitude: have faith in God. Wisdom from God is how to live life as God designed it, for greatest flourishing. • Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade)

James 1:9-11 v. 9. What is the boasting of the lowly brother? Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." – Jeremiah 9:23-24

The Value of Knowing Christ 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. – Philippians 3:8-11

vv. 10-11. Who is the rich? 2 thoughts: 1) these are believers whom he is telling not to take pride in wealth, but in his identification with Christ 2) these are non-Christians who, in the end, will end up with only judgment

• Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade)

v. 12 – God rewards those who endure trials “trial” can mean any difficulty.

v. 13 – the idea is that when we face external trials, they carry with them an internal temptation. When we face suffering outside, we face temptation on the inside. Can we trust God’s goodness? While God test or proves his people to strengthen their faith, he never induces them to sin or destroy their faith.

God’s intention (purpose) is to test our faith that it will be strengthened.

v. 14. Our own sinful desires drag us away.

v. 15. Sinful desire -> gives birth to sin -> full-grown to death. Imagery is like the seductress of Proverbs chapters 5-9 Who lures people into adultery, and ultimately into death. “Her guests are in Sheol” (the place of the dead)

Whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord (Prov 8:35) • Count trials as all joy, because they produce persevering faith • Ask in faith for wisdom • Comfort for the poor (knowing God is greater) • Warning to the rich (riches fade) • God rewards those who endure trials • Temptation to sin comes from our own sinful natures