1. The title that I have given to our present study comes from a hymn written by Annie Johnson Flint entitled, “He Giveth More Grace.” It is a great song. The chorus goes:

His love has not limit,
His grace has no measure,
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again! 

2. I especially love the second stanza:

 When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done;
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. 

3. The songwriter was acquainted with the great truth that God is a giving God. When we think of God’s giving we have to say with the songwriter, “He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”

4. We read in verse 16, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.” The verse is a pivotal verse between verses 15 and 17. It is telling us not to err or stray in light of what has been said in the previous verses and what is being stated in the following verses. In other words, the verse is giving us two reasons why we should not err as believers.

5. First, we should not err in light of what sin will do to us. In the preceding verses, James spoke of temptation and the consequences of yielding to temptation. He tells us in verse 15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” In light of such consequences, we should not err.

6. Secondly, we should not err in light of all that God gives us. In the text before us we are told that God is a giving God. Throughout the Bible we are reminded of God’s giving. The familiar John 3:16 is a wonderful reminder of God’s giving: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

7. Romans 8:32 declares, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” God is a giving God and we all are recipients of His giving. Therefore, in light of all He gives us, we should not err.

8. We should not err in light of the grief that we see in sin and the goodness that we see in God. Sin is grievous and God is gracious and both serve as a reason not to err. What sin will do to us and what God gives us is motives for not erring.

9. Let’s consider verses 17-18 and consider what James had to say about God’s giving. First we see:

1. A DECLARATION OF GOD’S GIVING!

 1. We read in verse 17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James reminds us that God is a giving God.

 2. Guy King, in his commentary on James, tells of a legend of an ancient kingdom whose king had died. Ambassadors were sent to choose a successor from two twin infants. They found the little fellows fast asleep, and, looking at them, found it difficult to decide which one should be made king. But then, they noticed that one of the infants had his tiny fists closed tight and the other slept with his little hands opened. They choose the infant with the open hands and the infant grew to be known as “The King with the Open Hand.”

3. Our text tells us that our God is not the “God of the clutched fist” but the “God with the Open Hand.” Our God is a giving God. He is a God, as we shall see, that gives and gives and gives. As the songwriter put it, “He giveth and giveth and giveth again.” Notice more carefully what verse 17 says about God’s giving.

A. God Is Unchanging In His Giving!

1. James declares the unchanging giving of God in both His name and nature. In our text He is given the name, “the Father of lights.” The name refers to God as the Giver of light in the form of the sun, moon, and stars.

2. Genesis 1:16 describes God creating these lights: “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” God is the Creator, or as James states, the Father of these lights. He created the sun and moon for the specific purpose of dividing the day from the night and also for the purpose of providing light for the earth. Genesis 1:17 states: “And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.”

3. James is a master of illustrating and he uses this astronomical picture to illustrate a great truth about God. As Guy King says, “He calls the heavenly orbs to his assistance in order to elucidate his point.” What is his point? He is declaring that God is unchanging in His giving.

4. He states that in God there, “is no variableness.” The word “variableness” means there is no “variation or change” with God. God is an unchanging God. God said in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the Lord, I change not…” The same truth is stated of the Lord Jesus in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

5. Theologians often use the term, “the Immutability of God,” referring to the changelessness of God. God does not change in His essence. There is no alteration or variation to His substance. He is an unchanging God.

6. As the first American astronaut prepared to go into space, one reporter asked, “What are you depending on most in your venture?” No doubt, the reporter expected the astronaut to say something about the quality of his equipment, his navigational skills, or the people at the space center. But instead, he replied, “That God will not change His laws.”

7. God will not change for He cannot change. He cannot change for the worse, for He is holy. He cannot change for the better, for He is perfect. As A.W. Pink said: “God cannot change for the better, for He is already perfect; and being perfect, He cannot change for the worse.”

8. Everything around us is constantly changing. The first time I ever came to Chattanooga was in the summer of 1974. There have been a lot of changes during the course of these past 27 years. We can now see Lookout Mountain during the daytime!

9. We are constantly changing. I preached in a Tentmeeting last Friday night. A fellow walked up to me and said, “I can remember when you were just a little fellow.” I wanted to say, “Yes, I have changed a pound or two, but not as much as you.”

10. Things are constantly changing but God never changes. The Bible says in Psalm 102:25-27, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.”

11. James illustrates the unchanging nature of God by referring to the sun God created. There are times when we do not see the sun. Our earth is spinning on its axis; therefore, there are certain hours when the part of the earth on which we live is turned toward the sun and certain hours when it is turned away from the sun. This gives us our days and night.

12. But even though there are certain hours when we do not see the sun, the sun is still shining. What changes is the earth, not the sun. It may be night to us, but on the other side of the planet it is day. The sun is always shining. That never changes. The same is true of God. He is always God. He never changes.

13. There are times when the sun is eclipsed and the light of the sun is dimmed or blackened out, but that is not due to the sun ceasing to shine. That is due to the moon coming between the earth and the sun. There may be times when the light of God may not be seen, but that is always due to the fact that something comes between God and us. He never changes. We are the ones that change.

14. James had this idea in mind when he stated that in God there is “neither shadow of turning.” It literally means, “or shadow as a result of turning.” A shadow is cast as the result of the earth changing its position, but the sun remains the same. God is like the sun—He never changes. There is no turning on His part. He is unchangeable.

15. God by nature is a giving God. That will never change. Now we may allow something to get between God and ourselves that results in our not being able to receive from God, but God Himself continues to be a giving God.

16. Notice also that we see that:

B. God Is Unceasing In His Giving!

1. In verse 17 we see that the gifts God gives “is from above” and these gifts “cometh down.” God’s gifts originate in Himself. We will look at these gifts more in detail a bit later, but we see that all that is good and perfect originates in God. All that comes from God is good and perfect because God is in Himself good and perfect. God’s giving could not be anything less for God cannot be anything less.

2. James tells us that that which is above comes down. Again, we see that God gives! But here is what I want you to see. The words “cometh down” are in the continuous present tense meaning God continues to give. He never ceases to give, not for a single moment. God’s giving is not occasional but constant. He is always giving and will always be giving. There will never be a moment when He is not giving.

 3. On March 27, 1808, a grand performance of the Creation took place in Vienna, and the composer himself, Franz Joseph Haydn, who was 76, was able to be in attendance. He was so feeble that he had to be wheeled into the theater in a chair. As the chorus and orchestra burst with full power into the passage, “And there was light,” the crowd burst into applause and cheers, turning to the great composer to show their appreciation. The old composer was seen striving to raise himself. Once on his feet, he mustered up all his strength and, in reply to the applause of the audience, cried out as loudly as he could, “No, no! Not from me, but,” pointing to heaven, “from thence—from heaven above—comes all!” He then fell back in his chair, faint and exhausted, and had to be carried from the room.

4. All that is good and perfect comes from above and God is always giving us that which is good and perfect. God is unchanging and unceasing in His giving.

1. A Declaration Of God’s Giving!

2. A DESCRIPTION OF GOD’S GIFTS!

1. We not only have in our text a declaration that God is a giving God, but we also see a description of the gifts He gives. Because these gifts come from above, come from God, there is a divine quality and value about these gifts. There are three particular gifts that are referred to in our text. Notice first of all:

A. God’s Profitable Gifts.

1. Verse 17 speaks of “Every good gift.” The word “good” speaks of that which is, “gentle, noble.” It implies that the gift is “beneficial for the recipient.” All that God gives us is for our benefit.

2. I think of 1 Tim. 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” All the things we receive from God are for our full enjoyment and benefit.

3. We could say that God wants to enrich us through His giving. All that He gives to us brings eternal riches and benefits to our life. As the Psalmist said in Psalm 103:2, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

4. I find it interesting that the word “good” is a word that has no regular degrees of comparison. A child may speak of that which is “gooder” or “goodest.” May I say that when it comes to God’s good gifts, there are no “gooder” or “goodest” gifts than the gifts we receive from God.

5. In our last study we looked at the subject of temptation. Temptation in a nutshell is this world and flesh trying to lure us away from God with the ideal that there is something better or something that is more enjoyable. Let me say it this way: “It don’t get any better than what God gives!”

6. God’s gifts are “good.” They are profitable and beneficial. They bring rich blessings into our life. They impart to us divine blessings, blessing that are from above.

7. Furthermore we see:

B. God’s Purposeful Gifts.

1. Verse 17 also speaks of “every perfect gift.” When we think of something being perfect we think of that which is without a flaw, fault or defect. It is true that God’s gifts are without fault or defect, but the word used here carries a different meaning.

2. The word speaks of the result, fulfillment, completion, and consummation. In other words, the gifts of God have as their end the accomplishment of God’s purpose in our lives. The giving and gifts of God are not lavished upon us without purpose or reason. They are given for our benefit and to bring about His divine purpose in our life.

3. There are many reasons why God gives to us, but let me point out just three reasons. For one thing, His giving and gifts are designed to increase our adoration of Him. His giving makes us love Him more. The more He gives, the more we love Him. He is constantly winning our hearts through His giving and gifts.

4. He also gives to increase our appreciation for Him. The more He gives the more we find ourselves grateful and appreciative of Him. The more we understand how undeserving we are of all He gives to us and does for us, the greater the depth of our appreciation.

5. Lastly, but not least, He gives to increase our consecration to Him. His giving and gifts only make us want to serve Him and follow Him. In light of all He does for us and gives to us, how can we withhold from Him anything He asks?

6. God’s giving and gifts are perfect. They always have a divine end and goal in mind. God gives to that we might enjoy heavenly benefits and He gives to bring to pass His plans for our life.

7. Let me remind you that God’s prefect gifts may come in the form of a trial. As we have seen, James has a lot to say about trials. Let me once again point you to verse 4: “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” We see our word “perfect” again. It is the same word found in verse 17. As we saw, trials are a work in our life to bring about and produce certain things in our life.

8. I think of Paul. Listen to what he said in 2 Corinthians 12:7, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” Did you notice that he spoke of his thorn in the flesh as something given to him? He described it as a gift to keep him humble.

9.  God’s perfect gifts may come in various ways and forms, but they always come with a purpose. His gifts are profitable and purposeful.

10. Finally, I want you to see what I want to call:

C. God’s Paramount Gift.

 1. In verse 18 we see, what is in my opinion, God’s greatest gift. We read: “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” As believers, we have received and continue to receive and will forever be recipients of many wonderful gifts from God. But the greatest of them all was when He saved us.

2. As John Newton said in his great hymn—Amazing Grace:

When we’ve been there 10,000 years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We’ve no less days
To sing God’s praise,
Then when we first begun.

3. Ten thousand years in eternity, we will still be praising Him for saving us. Ephesians 2:8 tell us that salvation is a gift of God and it is by far the greatest gift we have ever received.

4. Notice what James has to say about this paramount gift from God. First we see in our salvation the will of God. Verse 18 says, “Of His own will begat He us.” It literally means, “having willed it.” It speaks of a planned course of action, a choice made by God.

5. What is this planned course of action? First let me say that it is not saying that God willed that some be saved and some not be saved. Henry Ward Beecher used to say, “The elect are whosoever will; the non-elect are the whosoever won’t.” Salvation is not limited but is available to everyone and anyone who will accept God’s gift of salvation.

6. The Bible tells us that before the foundation of the world God made the choice to send His Son to this earth to die on Calvary’s cross that He might provide salvation for all men. It was a choice that God did not have to make. He did not have to give His Son. He could have chosen to let me go to hell because of their own doing and sin. But He willed it. He chose to give His son and planned a course of action whereby men could be saved.

7. Secondly, we see in our salvation the word of God. The instrument God used to bring us to Christ was His word. Verse 18 tells us that we were begotten (born again) by “the word of truth.” There has never been a person saved that somewhere did not come into contact with God’s Word. It may have been a message they heard, a tract they read, a verse they remembered, or a soulwinner that witnessed to them, but in all cases, the instrument God used was the word of truth.

8. The Bible says in Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation…” Also we read in 1 Peter 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” As well, Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

9. What a joy and blessed honor it is to preach God’s word, teach God’s word, and go out and share God’s word. It is the mighty instrument God uses to save people.

10. Last of all we see in our salvation the work of God. What did salvation do for us? Verse 18 tells us that we are saved, “that we should be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.” The thought of the first-fruits takes us back to the Jewish system of offerings. In the Old Testament the firstfruits of the harvest and first-born belonged to God.

11. James has in mind the firstfruits of the harvest. They would bring a sheaf of the wheat and wave it before the Lord as an admission that the whole harvest belonged to God.

12. Verse 18 is telling us that we belong to God! Salvation has made us the purchased possession of God. I am His and He is mine! We are God people and God’s property.

13. I think of the familiar story of the little boy who made him a toy sailboat. He carried the little boat out to the pond and began watching it float on the water. However, the wind pulled the little boat away from shore, and all the broken-hearted boy could do was watch it be blown out of reach and sight. Several weeks later he was walking through town and he saw his little toy boat for sale in a store window. He rushed in side and bought the boat and was overheard as he walked down the street hugging his little boat: “You are now mine twice. I made you and now I have bought you.”

14. Of all God’s gifts, salvation is the greatest. We are His possession.