“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him”
who gives to all [each]
“All” here does not mean en masse. God gives to each person individually. He treats you as an individual when you come to Him in prayer. God does not reserve prayer for the spiritual elite; He answers all of our prayers.
liberally
It is one thing for God to give, but it is another thing for Him to give “liberally.” “Liberally” means simple, open, with no ulterior motive, wholehearted. The idea here is willing and generous giving on God’s part.
and without reproach,
“Reproach” means to revile, to disgrace, to abuse, to upbraid. God will not insult or reprimand us if we ask anything of Him in prayer. He will not heap insults on us for exercising our right in prayer. God does not give to us according to a merit system but out of His sheer, unadulterated grace.
Principle:
God’s heart is oriented to be generous toward you.
Application:
God is generous with those who ask from Him. He is a generous Giver who gives unconditionally. God has singleness of heart by unconditionally giving to us without us having to bargain with Him for it. He has but one condition – that we ask Him for it.
God does not give His gifts grudgingly. He does not complain about answering our prayers. He delights in doing so.
God does upbraid us for unbelief and hardness of heart.
“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen” (Mark 16:14).
