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      OUTLINE OF MEDITATIONS

      WEEK 1: YOU ARE NOT ALONE

      Dealing with shame

      Dealing with guilt

      God cares

      Speak to your spouse and relatives

       Speak to a financial adviser

       A lesson in listening to advice

       Sunday: Celebrate community

       WEEK 2: PLANNING BETTER

       Drawing up a budget

       Being content

       Remembering the past

       Looking to tomorrow

       Living today

       Giving thanks

       Sunday: Celebrate order

       WEEK 3: LIVING WITH DISCIPLINE

       The difference between what I need and what I want

       Saying “No” to the small temptations

       Don’t waste

       Know your priorities

       Know your limits

       God knows your motives

       Sunday: Celebrate discipline

       WEEK 4: LIVING AS A STEWARD

       “Stop trying to be wealthy”

       “Trust in God”

       “Earn all you can”

       “Save all you can”

       “Give all you can”

       “Resort to prayer”

       Sunday: Celebrate the gift of life

       CONCLUSION

       SOURCES CITED

       INTRODUCTION

      We all face financial difficulty at some point or another. We may think that financial difficulty only applies to the poor, but this is not true. Many of the so-called rich also go through worrying times. The global economic crisis has left many people with uncertainty about their financial situation. To Christians worldwide, trust in God is of paramount importance. I invite you to join other Christian sojourners on this journey of discovering God’s presence in the midst of difficult times. This book is not meant to give answers, but offers readings, meditations, prayers and suggestions as a basis for having honest conversations with God about what concerns you in your life.

      I do not adhere to so-called “Prosperity theology”. I therefore do not think that wealth is necessarily a sign of God’s blessing, or that poverty is God’s curse on the unrighteous. Financial difficulty happens for several reasons, sometimes of our own doing and other times as a result of factors over which we have little or no control. The one thing I am certain of is that God always remains faithful. We never travel the road of life on our own, and I pray that these prayers and meditations will lead you to a place where you can share your journey with God and find healing.

      HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

      The book is divided into four weeks, each with a specific theme. You are invited to consider the theme for the day, to read the Scriptures and the meditation. Each prayer starts with the words “Almighty God”. I have written this intentionally. In times when we feel weak, it is important to acknowledge that there is one on whose Name we can call, and this God is more in control than we are. We need to remind ourselves that God is God. We often try to usurp God’s place, but in our prayers as much as we acknowledge that God is Almighty, we need to know that God truly is God, and we are not. Do not rush through the readings and the prayers. Take time to make them your own. Write your own thoughts and prayers in the spaces provided. Dare to be honest with God in your conversation. The portion for each day ends with a suggestion. These are practical actions that you may want to implement in your day’s journey. This will help you to integrate the readings and the prayers into your day-to-day activity. Sunday is a time for corporate worship. Join your local congregation in celebration. Note the theme given for celebration and see if it resonates with you while you worship and thank God together with other Christians.

      My prayer is that you will know God’s immanence, but also experience awe as you witness God’s magnificence.

      Yours in prayer, both for you and for me.

       Wessel Bentley

       WEEK 1

       You are not alone

       MONDAY

       Dealing with shame

      Read: Luke 15:11–32

      People who find themselves in financial trouble often identify with the emotions expressed in this parable when the son chooses rather to sit with the pigs than to go to his father. One gets the impression that this son is embarrassed. He is also proud. At first, he tries to solve the problem by himself. He hires himself out, hoping that his attempts would restore his dignity. Instead, he finds that his efforts and his shame and his pride do not leave him any better off. Shame is an emotion that we would rather experience by ourselves. The fear of others being ashamed of us, or disappointed in us, keeps us locked in a state of helplessness. But then, the son comes to his senses and acknowledges that he has a problem and that he cannot solve it on his own. Does his story sound familiar? Perhaps you can recall how you have slipped into a place of financial difficulty and now feel embarrassed and ashamed. Your plans to recover may have come to naught and your pride and shame prevent you from interacting with those around you. Take the first step today and acknowledge the problem. As you recognize your pain, you may very well find arms that are welcoming and uplifting and not judging and condemning.

      Prayer

      Almighty

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