Discover the Word Podcast

The battle for contentment is one of life’s biggest challenges—even for followers of Christ. And that battle for contentment runs headlong into how we view money. What we use to purchase things. The phrase “silver and gold” appears in the scriptures no less than 58 times and we want this week to examine a handful of those texts to try and get some wisdom about money in general and silver and gold in particular.

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Money touches so much of our daily lives, but the Bible helps us see it in the right perspective. Scripture reminds us that while money can meet needs and bless others, it was never meant to define our worth or secure our future. God cares more about shaping our character than growing our bank accounts. As we earn, spend, give, and save, we’re invited to trust Him as our true provider—knowing that our ultimate security isn’t found in money, but in Jesus. 

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• 2 Kings 5:5 
• Ecclesiastes 3:11 
• Acts 4:37 
• Mark 12:43-44 
• Matthew 17:24-27 
• 1 Timothy 5:8 
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 
• Proverbs 8:10-11 
• Proverbs 16:16 
• Psalm 119:72 
• Matthew 6:33 
• Philippians 4:12 
• Psalm 135:15 
• Acts 3:1-8 
• Proverbs 22:1 says that “a good name is more desirable than great riches.” How does that change your attitude about money? 
•  Scripture indicates some ways to keep the right attitude about money and what it's used for—like caring for the needs of loved ones, caring for others, caring for the work of the Lord, and paying taxes to support the government. How might these examples inspire you this week? 
• Psalm 115:2-8 describes the dangers of replacing God by making idols out of money. How can this help you trust more in God than money? 
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 provides the assurance that no amount of money can save us, only Jesus’ sacrifice can do that. How does this encourage you to handle money differently this week? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me have the right attitude about money and use it well in my life. Help me focus more on growing my character in Your image than on growing my bank account. And help me see the opportunities in my life to help others with the money You’ve entrusted to me.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• God and Money 
• What Jesus Said About Your Money 

Listen: 

• “Jesus, Love & Basketball” with Chris Broussard 

Read: 

• The Money 

Watch: 

• How to Use Money in Godly Ways 

Several times in the Bible, we read that what is impossible for man is possible for God. What does this mean in various settings? Is making the impossible possible a matter of faith? Character? God’s power? What might be dangerous about the possibility for humans? How can we understand and fully live within the boundaries of the possible while stretching to experience God’s power in the impossible?

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When life feels uncertain, it helps to remember who God truly is and that the Bible says repeatedly that nothing is too hard for God. But... the Scriptures also tell us there are things God cannot do—He cannot do evil, He cannot lie, and He cannot be overcome by death. That means His character is completely trustworthy. When we face fear, confusion, or disappointment, we can rely on His goodness, believe His promises, and trust that nothing—not even death—has the final word. 

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Job 34:10, 12 
• Hebrews 6:18-19 
• John 12:24 
• Psalm 18:3-5 
• Psalm 16:9-10 
• Acts 3:15 
• Jeremiah 32:37 
• Genesis 18:14 
• Matthew 19:16-30 
• Genesis 11:1-9 
• Matthew 17:20 
• Hebrews 11:6 
• Job 34:10 says that it’s impossible for God to do evil. How does this encourage you in your daily walk with Him? 
• Hebrews 6:18 says that it’s impossible for God to lie. How can this help you trust Him more? 
• Acts 2:24 says that it’s impossible for Jesus to die. How does this give you hope for your own rebirth with Him? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Thank You Jesus that some things are impossible for You. Because You cannot do evil, cannot lie, and cannot be bound by death—let that help me trust You even more and encourage me to walk closer with You.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Reading Plans  

Listen: 

• God of Hope  
• Seemingly Impossible Commands | Week 1  
• Seemingly Impossible Commands | Week 2  

Read: 

• Facing The Impossible 
• The Love of God: An Intimate Look at the Father-Heart of God 

Watch: 

• The Mysterious Prophecy of Isaiah 53  
• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories  

Being afraid of something doesn’t sound preferable, but throughout the Bible we see benefits from fearing the Lord. Find out what that can look like for us today and what we’ll experience when we do!

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The fear of the Lord is the starting place for wisdom and it leads to a never-ending friendship with a loving God. Scripture reveals that fearing the Lord is intended to comfort us not to scare us. Because the more we understand God’s character, the more we are compelled to revere Him. God’s Word guides us to express our fear of the Lord through right living, rejecting evil, and clinging to what is good. 

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Matthew 1:20 
• Matthew 2:22 
• Matthew 9:1-8 
• Acts 13:16, 26, 43 
• 1 Peter 1:1 
• 1 Peter 5:12-13 
• Revelation 19:4-10 
• John 4:13-18 
• Matthew 10:26-31 helps the disciples understand how much God cares for them—and how much He’s in control, even during tribulations. How does this encourage you to know that God is on your side?  
• Acts 10:1-2, 34-35 shows that those who fear God leave an openness to be surprised with how He works. How does this encourage you to look for God’s mighty presence and expansive invitation in your life?  
• 1 Peter 2:11-17 summarizes a picture of what it looks like to fear God (live in freedom, respect everyone, love the family of believers, honor authority). How does keeping God first in these kinds of ways help you live in the world better? 
• Revelation 14:6-8 shows that the fear of the Lord is linked to God’s judgment which can lead to worship and praise. How does this fear of the Lord draw you closer into relationship with Him? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me demonstrate my reverence for God by living in His freedom, respecting others, loving fellow believers, and honoring the authorities He has placed in my life. Help me see how putting God first in these kinds of ways leads me to live well.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Explore the DTW archives  

Listen: 

• Proverbial Wisdom  
• A Life of Wisdom and the Proverbs 31 Woman  

Read: 

• Reverent Fear  
• Understanding the Bible: The Wisdom Books  

Watch: 

• Mount Arbel - Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission 

What happens when people “fear the Lord” in a healthy way? Explore how this can lead to wisdom and relationship with God!

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The Bible’s wisdom books remind us again and again that the fear of the Lord is where real wisdom begins—and that’s the kind of wisdom we need for everyday life. From big decisions to ordinary moments, we all need God’s perspective to help us navigate what’s in front of us. 

Proverbs offers that wisdom with a hopeful, “glass half-full” lens, giving practical guidance for daily choices. Ecclesiastes meets us in the tension, naming life’s frustrations and uncertainties with a more “glass half-empty” honesty. And Job takes us deeper, showing that a healthy fear of the Lord isn’t about being afraid—it’s about being drawn into a real, trusting relationship with God as we learn to revere all of who He is, even when life doesn’t make sense. 

Reflect 

Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 

• Proverbs 1:5 
• Proverbs 24:5 
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 
• Proverbs 24:3-4 
• Ecclesiastes 2:20-21 
• Ecclesiastes 9:11 
• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 
• Job 
• Psalm 22:22-24 
• Psalm 19:7-10 
• Psalm 25:8-14 

• Would you say you identify more with the “glass half-full" approach to wisdom in Proverbs, or the “glass half-empty" approach of Ecclesiastes? 
• Job’s story demonstrates that fearing God is relational and not transactional (see Job 1:9). Why is it important to fear God for who He is and not for what He does? How does this type of reverent fear strengthen your relationship with God? 
• God assured Job of His power and presence and unlimited perspective. How did this help Job have a healthy fear of God (see Job 42:1-6)? How can this help you have a healthy fear of God? 
• Fear of the Lord invites you into a deeper relationship with Him (see Psalm 25:14). How can that help you live wisely today? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me have a healthy fear of God that allows me to live with wisdom throughout my life. Enable me to revere God for who He is and not for what He does so that I may deepen my relationship with You. Open my eyes to see more clearly the wonder and awe of who You are.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Ecclesiastes | Week 1  
• Ecclesiastes | Week 2  
• Our Daily Bread Mobile App  

Listen: 

• Proverbial Wisdom  
• A Life of Wisdom and the Proverbs 31 Woman  

Read: 

• Reverent Fear  
• Understanding the Bible: The Wisdom Books  

Watch: 

• Mount Arbel - Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission 

We want to live wisely, but that can seem impossible at times. Discover what the Bible means when it says that wisdom begins with “the fear of the Lord.”

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What does it look like for you to grow in wisdom? Scripture invites you to begin by fearing the Lord—by learning to revere Him for who He truly is and letting that reverence shape your daily choices.  

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
•  Isaiah 10:13 
•  Psalm 107:27 
•  Exodus 28:3 
•  Deuteronomy 34:9 
•  1 Kings 5 
•  Psalm 37:30 
•  Deuteronomy 4:6-7 
•  Proverbs 1:1, 7-8  
• Proverbs 21:23 
• Proverbs 3:18 
• Proverbs 16:7 
• Proverbs 15:32-33 
• Proverbs 10:1, 27 
• Proverbs 25:1 
• Proverbs 9:10 
•  Proverbs 14:27 
•  Proverbs 19:23 
•  Proverbs 22:4 
• Proverbs 2:1-5 
• When you hear Proverbs 1:7 say that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” what stands out to you personally? How does that shape the way you think about wisdom and learning? 
• As you reflect on Scripture, what kinds of good fruit or growth does the Bible connect with fearing the Lord? Where have you seen any of these take shape in your own life? 
• How does it encourage or comfort you to remember that the benefits of fearing the Lord are meant to guide how we live, rather than serve as promises to hang on to? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

Jesus, help me to truly revere You—not out of fear that pushes me away, but out of awe that draws me closer. Grow me in wisdom as I learn to trust who You are and submit my heart to You. Show me, day by day, what it looks like to honor You in my thoughts, my choices, and my relationships. Help me recognize how walking in reverence shapes the way I respond to others. May Your wisdom guide me so I can live with a heart that reflects You. 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Our Daily Bread Publishing 

Listen: 

• Proverbial Wisdom  
• A Life of Wisdom and the Proverbs 31 Woman  

Read: 

• Reverent Fear  
• Understanding the Bible: The Wisdom Books  

Watch: 

• Mount Arbel - Sermon on the Mount and the Great Commission

The Bible is a book of invitations, and in this series, we will explore such invitations in the form of "let us" statements inviting us to join in some aspect of the life of the Christ follower. From worship to purity to endurance to love, these invitations welcome us to live with and for our Lord.

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After exploring some Let Us invitation in the letter to the Hebrews in our last study, is it possible there are other Let Us invitations in other parts of the Bible? Step into five more biblical invitations, outside of Hebrews, that call you to live out your faith in everyday ways: worship God with your whole heart, persevere when faith feels hard, lay aside the sin that holds you back, love others deeply, and put that love into action.  

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Psalm 34:3 
• How does this invite you into communal worship? 
• Romans 13:12-13 
• How does this invite you into the sanctification process—that Jesus accomplishes in us? 
• Galatians 6:9 
• How does this invite you to keep going? 
• 1 John 4:7 
• How does this invite you to receive and share God’s love? 
• 1 John 3:18 
• How does this invite you to live out love and not just feel love? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me embrace the Bible’s invitations to be more like You. Help me worship You. Help me receive the process of sanctification that You accomplish. Help me keep going when things are hard, knowing that You will provide a harvest on the other side. Help me receive and share Your love—by living it out around me.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Become an Our Daily Bread Ambassador 

Listen: 

• Spiritual Habits and Training | Week 1   
• Spiritual Habits and Training | Week 2   

Read: 

• Healthy Habits for Spiritual Growth    
• The Ordinary Life of Jesus  

Watch: 

• New Life in Christ    
• Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life 

Have you ever noticed that the phrase “let us...” appears thirteen times in the book of Hebrews? Join us as we explore why this phrase was important to the author and how it invites us to walk with Jesus!

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Join together with other believers and walk with Jesus through a series of five “let us” invitations from the book of Hebrews: let us hold fast to our faith, let us approach God in prayer, let us grow spiritually mature, let us draw near to God, and let us run our race. 

Reflect 

Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 

• Hebrews 4:14 
• How does this invite you to hold fast to your faith? 
• Hebrews 4:16  
• How does this invite you into prayer? 
• Hebrews 6:1  
• How does this invite you into spiritual maturity? 
• Hebrews 10:22-24  
• How does this invite you to draw near to God? 
• Hebrews 12:1 
• How does this invite you to run your appointed race with Jesus? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, thank you for the invitation throughout Scripture to live with You together with other believers. Help us hold fast to our faith, approach You in prayer, grow in spiritual maturity, stay near to You, and run our appointed race with You.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Start Your Our Daily Bread Subscription   

Listen: 

• Spiritual Habits and Training | Week 1  
• Spiritual Habits and Training | Week 2  

Read: 

• Understanding the Bible: The Letter to the Hebrews   
• Healthy Habits for Spiritual Growth   

Watch: 

• New Life in Christ   
• Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life

What happens when God’s people worship other things? Find out as we continue exploring the wayward tribe of Jacob’s son Dan with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer.

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The Danites focus on God but they distort their worship of Him. By subordinating Him to other things, establishing their own version of religion, and lacking justice, they actually keep themselves from God. While their story reveals some important cautions for us today, we can also be encouraged by God’s promise to restore all things.   

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• 1 Kings 12:26-30 
• Exodus 32:4-6 
• Nehemiah 9:18 
• 1 Kings 12:31-33 
• Amos 5:18-24 
• Revelation 7:5-8 
• Acts 15:1-5 
• Acts 15:13-18 
• Jeroboam worshipped God with calf idols which subordinated God (see 1 Kings 12:26-30). Is there a way you may set out to worship God which could actually subordinate Him to other things?  
• Jeroboam divided the religion in northern Israel from the religion in southern Israel for his own purposes (see 1 Kings 12:31-33). What caution can you take away about the danger of distorting God’s ways with personalized religion? 
• The northern Israelites got some things wrong in how they worshipped God (see Amos 5:18-24). What is one way that justice can be included as you worship God? 
• God's redemption is described in both the Old Testament (from Amos 9:11-12) and the New Testament (from Acts 15:13-18). How does this give you hope in God’s restoration of all things? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me to worship You above everything else and prevent me from subordinating You to anything else. Help me to focus on Your ways and prevent me from distorting Your ways with my own ways. Help me see opportunities to include justice as I worship You. And fill me with assurance that you are restoring all things.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   

Listen: 

• My Three Sons   
• Am I That Hard to Love?  

Read: 

• Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking  
• Redemption’s Hope   

Watch: 

• A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew  
• Loving Those Who’ve Fallen Away 

While some Bible stories surprise us, they all help us understand more about God and His plan! Discover how God was faithful to redeem the tribe of Dan and all of Israel with special guest and archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer. 

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So much of Dan’s story leaves us saying “That's not the way it's supposed to be.” From his troubling conception to the Danites forced migration, this tribe does things their own way, mixing legitimate devotion to God with misguided methods of worshipping and serving Him. But ultimately, Dan, his family, and his city set the stage for the coming of the One who redeems all things into the way they should be.   

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• Genesis 30:1-6 
• Deuteronomy 27:11-13 
• Judges 5:17 
• Judges 1:34 
• Judges 13:1 
• Judges 17:1-18 
• Judges 18:3-10 
• Judges 18:27-19:1 
• Dan’s conception began with his mother taking matters into her own hands (from Genesis 30:1-6). In what ways might you be taking a matter in your life into your own hands? 
• Micah wanted to seek God but he didn’t involve God in the process (from Judges 17:1-18). In what ways might you be seeking God without involving Him? 
• The Danites worshipped the true God but they did it in a false way (from Judges 18:3-10). In what ways might you be trying to worship God but miss Him in the process? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me seek You and find You and worship You with the right motivations. Show me when I may be getting off track following You with the wrong motivations, and lead me to stay on track.”  

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   

Listen: 

• My Three Sons   
• Am I That Hard to Love?  

Read: 

• Noah: Hope in the Waters of Remaking  
• Redemption’s Hope   

Watch: 

• A New Identity: The Gospel of Matthew  
• Loving Those Who’ve Fallen Away  

When you hear the word "seek," what comes to mind? Hide and seek? Explorers? Searching for something you lost? Well, Matthew 6:33 is one of the best-known scriptures in our Bible. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” What does this summation mid-way through the Sermon on the Mount actually mean and how can following its guidance impact our lives?

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