Money

The Christian life is not lived in isolation. As Jesus showed, the call to discipleship is a call to community. His disciples provided companionship on his mission, and then they themselves became powerful witnesses who kept the Christian faith alive.

Companionship is badly needed in exploring money as a Christian. The support of a community to work on a most difficult dimension of your life can make the difference between staying on the journey and turning back.

Working with money is hard work. Working withour acquired values can stir up an inner storm. Therefore it is a good time to have companions in the boat with you. Not only can they admit their own confusions and fears over the journey (thus making yours less unique and more manageable), but they can also help you recognize the Lord's presence in your struggle.

Throughout the month, remember to maintain your relationships with peole in your area who are living on the margins of society.

As you work specifically with money issues during the month, and in the future, honor your own internal time-clocks at all stops, including a simplification of your life. The Brothers at Taize suggest that it frequently takes up to seven years to make such simplification changes.

Become a risk taker, a giver as well as a receiver. Start to de-accumulate, unclutter. Begin with your clothes closet, pantry, something of special value or meaning to you.

WEEK 1

In addition to your daily quiet time, please add this exercise.

Earlier we worked with Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved and with our being the beloved of God. For five minutes twice a day meditate on "I am the beloved of God." Hopefully, this exercise will help you to move that knowledge from your head to your heart.

Sit still in a comfortable position
Close your eyes
Let your breathing become softer and slower
Then silently repeat over and over:
"I am the beloved of God."
As you hear these words, let God love you.
Let God's love flow over you
Experience God's love surrounding you, holding you
Rest in God's love
Let God love you.

Write and share your three-page Money Autobiography (see enclosed instructions)

In your small group there may be portions of your money autobiography that you choose not to share. That is quite acceptable. After a person reads his/her autobiography, then the leader will ask if there are any clarifying questions to ask the presenter. Those questions are then asked. Then the next person shares. At the conclusion of the session, the leader asks: What themes, what ideas, what common threads did you hear in the money autobiographies read?

WEEK 2

In addition to your regular quiet time, continue your daily meditating on being the beloved of God.

In small group continue sharing/reading the money autobiographies

WEEK 3

Read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 and the Book of James. Write a brief reflection to share with your small groups on each of the following questions:

How would you assess your abundance and the needs of others? What would you perceive to be a fair balance between these? How close are you to living in this balance? (2 Cor. 8:13-14)
As you look at yourself, do you see someone who sows bountifully or sparingly? (2 Cor. 9:6)
To what extent are you able to live with an impartial attitude toward the rich and poor? (James 2:1-13)

WEEK 4

Read Leviticus 25 each day this week. Write a brief reflection to share with your small group on each of the following questions:

Am I a better-safe-than-sorry personality or a nothing-ventured-nothing-gained personality? How does this affect my view of money?
In what specific ways could the Jubilee concept find application in your world? Which of these ways seems to hold you back? Which excites you, lures you? Choose one to put into practice.
Am I fearful of the abundant generosity of God? Am I fearful I will be too rich and that willkeep me from God? How much do the opinions of others influence my life?
Think about justice, compassion, and peace. Is there any particular vested interest which I hold onto that would hinder my experiencing Shalom with my neighbors? (There was a difference between the gardens of George Washington and William Penn. Washington's garden had a wall around it and was guarded by sentries. Penn's garden was entirely open and had no guards. Penn was known to say, "If people have need of my garden, let them have it.")

i am ajay kr sharma liveing in india my famalipoor.i am a blood cancar at 2003in start
my famaly poor.to help my famaly
--ajay ( dabal at sify dot com ) from india on 12/12/2006; 10:25:19 AM