3:19-20
There is so much written in the Bible about wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18 we are told the ‘message of the cross’ is foolish to those who do not know Jesus. In the following verses this is tied to wisdom. There is the wisdom of this world. Which the world measures as important. Much like the foolishness attributed to the message of the cross. This wisdom is highly valued in the world. But it is not true wisdom. True wisdom is knowing God. It is this wisdom spoken of in these verses in Proverbs. It is the divine wisdom of God. The divine wisdom that guided Jesus in the creation of all things (Colossians 1:16). This wisdom exists in creation but it cannot truly be grasped and understood without Jesus. True wisdom, divine wisdom, comes through knowing Jesus.
How do we live a life of wisdom as spoken about in this chapter of Proverbs?
We live that life by living like Jesus. By seeking to become like Him. To know Him more. To follow Him on that narrow path. The one that started at the gate to the sheep pen and will end in heaven.
The one who lives the life of wisdom is truly blessed.
 

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom … she is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.” v13, 18 NIV.
God’s wisdom is the source of life.
We are blessed when we find God’s wisdom and gain understanding from reading God’s word, then follow Jesus on the narrow path, intent on learning from our experiences in life.
God’s wisdom is better than all the wealth of possessions in the world. Wisdom is true peace, that deep peace in our souls. The peace that transcends all life throws at us.
A life full of God’s wisdom is a life truly lived.
So do not fear taking hold of the wisdom God has for you. Do not think you are not good enough to be wise in God. You are good enough and God has wisdom in abundance for you. It is the humble who are able to lay hold of God’s wisdom. This is the true wisdom that gives life. This is the true wisdom that draws others to God. Do not be afraid to love God, be humble, and live in His wisdom. For when you do this you will be blessed and others will be blessed through you.
 

3:11-12
We go through hard times. As we have discussed in Job, they are not necessarily punishment.
God loves us as His precious children.
God. Loves. Us.
But it is important to remember that when Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden they were not promised easy lives, rather they were told their lives would be full of ‘painful toil’ (Genesis 3:17). Why should we think life will be anything other than that? Why rebel and become angry with God because we are having a hard time. Why think it is punishment? Why think God is deliberately giving us a hard time? We do not know why things happen and it is rarely our place to know.
When it comes to life you can be the Pharisee who over analyses the Bible, trying to write the rules of legalism that trap people into narrow dark places of fear and cause them to believe their salvation can be lost by one breach of the rules.
You can be the person trapped in the narrow dark place of fear, forgetting that “there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. ...” (1 John 4:18 NIV).
Or you can be like David and come before God in humility, seeking to do His will, eager to meet and know God who loves you. Who gives comfort, even when you think the comfort is not there. And you can ask Him to hide you in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8).
The true meaning of these verses is to know God, truly know Him. To place greater emphasis on relationship with Jesus than the legalism of those who do not know God. And to trust God to sustain you no matter what happens. To stop fighting the bad things in life. To stop seeking to find the reason. To just trust the God you know and love. God who loves you.
 

3:9-10.

Honour God with everything you own. Give Him the first and the best. (v9)

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What does that mean in practical terms?

In Luke 14:13-14 we are told to give to those who cannot repay us.

We are also told that God will reward us for what we give, if not now, then in the life to come. Although that should not be our motivation for giving.

The main point of these verses is to emphasise the importance of perceiving what we own as belonging to and given by God.

From the earliest verses in the Bible we see reference to the honouring of God for His provision.

In Genesis 4 Cain brought some of his produce to God as an offering. The implication is that he brought what he couldn’t use and brought it without genuine thanksgiving, thinking of what he could use and begrudging having to give God anything. He failed to acknowledge that what he had was given by and belonged to God. Abel on the other hand gave the best offerings of the very first born of his flocks. He willingly gave something of value to himself as an acknowledgement and thank you for what God had given him.

When we ‘give’ God does not look at the outward show of the actual act. He looks at what is inside us. He looks at our motivation and attitude. Giving is not about gaining plaudits from others for our generosity. Giving is not about some rigid ‘formula’ a religious institution has imposed on you. Giving is an attitude of the heart. Giving is a desire to express the gratitude and awe you feel for all God has done for you.
When your heart is following Jesus on that narrow pathway. When your desire is to put yourself aside and serve Jesus. When your desire is to make what you do about Him. Then you are going to be honouring Jesus with your wealth, whatever form it takes.

Then your barns will overflow and your vats will brim over. And those blessings will be many and varied. And you will know God has given them to you and you will thank Him with great joy and humility.