Go! And Live Wisely: The Treasure of Wisdom, the Freedom of Confession, and the Overflow of Grace
Introduction: What Do You Value Most?
Imagine for a moment someone offers you a choice: a million pounds in cash, or a heart full of wisdom, a soul freed from guilt, and a life overflowing with grace. Which would you choose?
We live in a culture obsessed with wealth, success, and achievement. Yet, God’s Word calls us to something far greater—something eternal.
Today, our message is titled “Go! And Live Wisely: The Treasure of Wisdom, the Freedom of Confession, and the Overflow of Grace.” It’s based on three key verses:
Proverbs 16:16 (NLT): “How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!”
Proverbs 28:13 (NLT): “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT): “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
These three truths—wisdom, confession, and grace—are deeply connected. Wisdom shows us our need for God, confession brings us back to God, and grace sends us out to live for God.
1. The Treasure of Wisdom (Proverbs 16:16)
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!”
Proverbs is a book of wisdom literature, primarily written by King Solomon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for wisdom here is “?okmah” (???????)—which means not just knowledge, but skill in living according to God’s ways.
In Solomon’s day, gold and silver were the ultimate measure of wealth. Yet he says wisdom is better. Why? Because wealth fades, but wisdom leads to life everlasting.
True wisdom begins with God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Without reverence for God, all other wisdom is counterfeit.
Think of Solomon himself—he was the wealthiest man of his time, yet when God offered him anything, he asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9). And because he sought wisdom first, God blessed him abundantly.
Max Lucado once wrote: “God’s wisdom is not a trickle; it’s a waterfall. Ask for wisdom and you will be drenched.”
As I reflect on that, I realise: too many of us settle for a trickle—earthly advice, fleeting trends—when God offers a waterfall of wisdom in Christ.
How do we pursue wisdom today?
Seek Christ through Scripture—He is “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Pray daily for discernment—James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.”
Choose obedience over convenience—wisdom is applied truth.
2. The Freedom of Confession (Proverbs 28:13)
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
Here, the Hebrew word for “conceal” is “kasah” (??????)—to cover or hide. This echoes the human tendency since Adam and Eve to hide our sin. But God says hiding sin leads to stagnation; confessing sin leads to mercy.
Confession is not merely admitting wrong—it is agreeing with God about our sin and turning away from it. The word “turn” here implies repentance—“shûb” (?????)—a change of direction.
1 John 1:9 echoes this truth: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
I once heard of a man who carried a heavy rucksack filled with rocks to remind himself of his past mistakes. He would not put it down. But when he finally confessed to God and surrendered those burdens, he said, “I feel lighter than I ever have before.” Sin is a heavy load—confession is the unloading.
Charles Stanley said: “When we conceal sin, we give it power. When we confess sin, we release its grip.”
That’s true, isn’t it? Confession is not weakness—it is the doorway to freedom.
In the 21st Century, we are told to “hide the mess, curate the image.” But God calls us to uncover sin and lay it at the cross. For the believer: confess quickly. For the seeker: repentance is the first step to salvation.
3. The Overflow of Grace (2 Corinthians 9:8)
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”
Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church during a collection for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. The Greek word for “generously provide” is “perisseuo” (pe??sse??)—to overflow, to abound.
God’s grace is abundant. It is not stingy; it overflows. This verse speaks not only of material provision but of spiritual sufficiency—grace to live, give, and glorify Christ.
Philippians 4:19 confirms this: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Consider the boy with five loaves and two fish (John 6). He gave a little, and Jesus multiplied it until 5,000 men (plus women and children) were fed—with 12 baskets left over! Grace always overflows.
John Piper said: “Grace is not just pardon for the past—it is power for the present and promise for the future.”
And that’s the essence of this passage: grace doesn’t just save us—it equips us to serve, to give, and to share.
How can we live this out?
Trust God’s provision in times of need.
Give generously—not from leftovers but from the firstfruits.
Share the Gospel lavishly—because grace multiplies when given away.
The Gospel Connection: Wisdom, Confession, Grace Meet at the Cross
All three of these verses find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus Christ:
He is our wisdom—the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
He is the reason we can confess our sins—because His blood was shed for our forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7).
He is the source of overflowing grace—for from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace (John 1:16).
At Calvary, Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, conquering sin, death, and hell. This is the Good News: you don’t have to earn wisdom, buy forgiveness, or strive for grace—it is given freely through Christ.
Call to Action: Go! And Live Wisely
So how should we respond?
Seek wisdom above wealth. Are you chasing riches, or are you chasing Christ?
Confess your sins without delay. Stop hiding. Start healing.
Trust God’s grace to provide and overflow. Give, share, serve—because your cup is never empty in Christ.
Tim Keller once said: “The Gospel is not just the ABCs of Christianity; it’s the A to Z.” This means wisdom, confession, and grace are not one-time lessons—they are a lifestyle.
Invitation to Salvation:
Friend, if you are here today and you have never repented of your sin and placed your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, this is your moment.
Stop concealing your sin. Confess it. Turn from it. Receive His mercy. He offers you forgiveness because He paid the price on the cross. Believe in His death, burial, and resurrection. Call upon Him and be saved today.
Romans 10:9 says: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Benediction:
Go now, and live wisely. Walk in the fear of the Lord. Confess quickly, forgive freely, and give generously. And may the God of all grace fill you to overflowing, that you may be a channel of His wisdom, mercy, and love in this world.
