Pursuing Wisdom

Read Proverbs 3:1-12 and Matthew 7:24-27

Pursuing Wisdom

Two weeks ago we explored how Proverbs isn’t a book of promises but of probability - walking wisely is more likely to lead to good outcomes. We do not worship a vending machine God - put something in, get something out - transactional. Yet wisdom teaches us that there is value in aligning our lives with the way God has designed the world and our place in it. To that end, wisdom is available to all who seek first the kingdom of God. Wisdom is not just something you stumble into; it’s something you pursue. The someOne you build your life upon.

Our passage today from Proverbs 3 is structured as a father speaking to his child. This voice is not abstract or distant. It’s close, urgent, full of affection and guidance. And it starts simply:

“My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.” (v.1)

Some people are fortunate to have had a biological or adoptive father or mother who imparts faith and wisdom, and some do not have parents that walked wisely. Whether or not you had wisdom passed down to you in your family line does not put you at an advantage or disadvantage. Proverbs takes us all in as sons and daughters, urging us to listen and learn from the generations of the faithful who have gone before us. 

This isn’t just about remembering things cognitively. In the wisdom tradition, remembering is tied to obedience. To remember is to live it out. It’s not enough to have God’s word in our heads; it must be written “on the tablet of your heart” (v.3)—internalized, embodied, lived. Just as Jesus says in the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Hearing, but not acting is a poor foundation for life. 

The rest of this section follows an action and outcome pattern. The odd verses include actions to pursue, the even verses of the probabilities or encouragements for taking action. For example: 

1 - keep my commandments

2 - long life and shalom - peace, prosperity, health and well being

3 - bind faithfulness and loving devotion to your life and heart

4 - favor with God and people

5 - Trust the Lord

6. God will show you the right path to follow

7. Turn away from evil

8. Physical health and refreshment

This is not a rigid formula but a pattern: when we walk in God’s way, blessing follows. That blessing is not always financial or material—though verses 9–10 talk about barns and vats—but it is always rooted in peace, stability, and the sustaining presence of God. There is so much richness in each of these couplets - this morning we have time to focus in on three of them:

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.

The world says, Follow your heart. Believe in yourself. Go with your gut. But Proverbs warns that wisdom does not begin with self-confidence. It begins with God-confidence. Don’t just go with what feels right; pray, seek God’s guidance, engage in bible study to be formed in biblical wisdom. 

Human understanding is limited, fallible, and incomplete. What seems right to us may not be right from God's broader, wiser perspective. Take even the wisdom of the gospel. Urging people to trust in a crucified Jew looks foolish, but it is wise beyond any earthly wisdom (so Paul will note, nuancing Proverbs’ point). (Goldingay 3353)

This proverb instructs us to trust that God knows best, even when we don't understand the "why" behind situations or outcomes. It implies a posture of humility—acknowledging that we don't have all the answers and must surrender our need to control everything. This doesn’t mean we stop thinking or making wise decisions—it means we acknowledge God as the ultimate source of truth and direction, and we defer to His understanding above our own.

The encouragement is that God will direct our path. God is active in guiding us - whether that’s in whether to speak or stay silent in a strained relationship. To direct the priorities for our time. Choosing spouses or education. God isn’t busy with “more important things.” God desires to guide our path. Membership. 

This is good news for the church in the 21st century. As I visit with folks, I hear stories of what being the church meant 2, 4 or 6 decades ago. An acknowledgement that the world today is so different for grandchildren and great grandchildren. And yet we cannot despair of God’s church, but trust the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge him and he will make straight our path. 

Our second proverb couplet is verses 9-10.

Honor the Lord with your substance
    and with the first fruits of all your produce;

 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

I remember when I was about 5 or 6 my weekly allowance was 50 cents. Before I went to the candy store, which was my treat after chores, I was taught to put a nickel aside for offering. In ancient Israel the people gave of the first part of the crop. To mark that God comes first, not as an afterthought. Grateful for that habit of the heart taught to me by elders in faith. 

Bring material offering forward in worship. Some give through cash or cheque, bank debit or etransfer. If you don’t give physically, tie your heart to the act of offering in worship. It’s not like the electrical bill or taxes. 

Tithe or give regularly to your church or ministries.
Help those in need—the poor, widows, orphans, or struggling families.
Practice contentment instead of constantly chasing more.
Avoid dishonesty or exploitation in financial dealings.

The surprising thing the Father counsels his child is that this is the way to a generous life - food and wine a plenty to bless and care for others. 

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Christians preached about the use of money in 1744 he said Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can. For “when the Possessor of heaven and earth brought you into being, and placed you in this world, He placed you here not as a proprietor, but a steward.”

Our last couplet of wisdom are verses 11-12.

But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;

    don’t sulk under his loving correction.

It’s the child he loves that God corrects;

    a father’s delight is behind all this.

The Hebrew word for discipline means “to teach and train.” This is not about retribution, but formation. Becoming wise means being open to correction. As Longman puts it: “The wise want to correct their mistaken thinking and behavior; only fools reject correction.” We live in a time when criticism is often met with defensiveness. But God’s correction is a sign of His delight. He wants to shape us—morally, spiritually, relationally—into people who can stand strong when life’s storms come. Hebrews 12 quotes this passage and reminds us: God’s discipline is for our good. You are not abandoned, you are deeply loved. But it takes humility to receive it. 

In Suffering: When discipline or hardship comes, ask, “What might God be teaching me?” But also remember Job’s warning: don’t jump to simple conclusions. Sometimes the lesson is clear, and other times it’s a long walk of faith.

As we’ve walked through Proverbs 3 today, we’ve seen that wisdom is not simply knowledge—it’s a way of life. A life shaped by trust, generosity, humility, and openness to God’s correction. It’s a path that requires intentional choices: to lean not on our own understanding, to honour God with all we have, and to receive His loving discipline as formation, not condemnation.

The Father’s voice in Proverbs is not harsh or distant—it’s near, loving, and full of longing for his child to flourish. That same voice speaks to us today. Whether you’ve grown up with wisdom modeled for you or not, the invitation remains open: you are God’s child, and He longs to lead you on a path of life, not just survival.

Wisdom doesn’t promise a pain-free life—but it does promise that we won’t walk alone. When we choose to trust in the Lord with all our heart, to acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will guide our steps. May it be so in our life and in our life together. Amen.