Scripture Devotion
Ask for wisdom — from a giver who won't scold you for needing it.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Reflection
The verse begins with a refreshingly honest premise: if any of you lack wisdom — assuming, not scolding, that you will. Lacking wisdom isn't the failure here; it's the starting condition the verse expects. The failure would be not asking. And the asking is aimed at a giver described in two generous words: liberally, and upbraideth not. That second word is the quiet gift. Upbraideth not — doesn't scold, doesn't make you feel foolish for needing to ask, doesn't hold the lack against you. Most of us hesitate to ask for help precisely because we expect the upbraiding. The verse removes it: ask, and you'll get wisdom and no lecture for having needed it. A Monday full of decisions is a good day to ask, freely, of a giver who gives the same way.