Weeks 70 & 71 - Ghanaian Songs, Tithing & Blessings

One thing about Ghana and maybe Africa in general, the music fills the air everywhere you go!

One of the things I will miss most here in Ghana is the enthusiastic nature of the singing! Whether it be worship music on Sunday, traditional wedding songs, or songs sung at school, they give it their all!

Today in church, our 1st counselor Freddie Jesse gave a beautiful talk. He first referenced a "marching song" that is sung in primay schools from a young age. They sing it as they march along to and from classes.

 

Life in this World is a Great Struggle (listen with this link)

Life in this world is a great struggle, for both the young and old.
And even those who have great riches, have troubles of their own.
Rich men envy poor men, poor men envy the rich,
therefore what is the sense in envying your neighbor.

Freddie then shared some wisdom regarding personal finances and finding Financial freedom:

1. Pay tithing - Malachi 3:10-11

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

2. Spend less than you earn

3. Learn to save

4. Honor your financial obligations

5. Teach your children about finances

We then heard from our stake High council with a similar message focused on Neil L. Andersen's Oct 2023 general conference talk: Tithing: Opening the Windows of Heaven

Even though we plan, there will be unforseen things that come. It is almost impossible to keep up with the ever increasing price of goods and services. This will not stop. We must learn to be industrious. We must be hardworking and teach our children to work hard. 

Constantly consider the many blessings bestowed upon us. The gospel of Jesus Christ refines us each day. How are we grateful unto the Lord daily?

As with members of many other faiths, Latter-day Saints believe that the payment of tithing shows gratitude to God and brings both spiritual and temporal blessings.

Prove Me Now Herewith

"All that we have and all that we are comes from God. As disciples of Christ, we willingly share with those around us.

With all the Lord gives to us, He has asked us to return to Him and His kingdom on earth 10 percent of our increase. He has promised us that as we are honest in our tithes, He will “open … the windows of heaven, and pour … out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”² He has promised us that He will protect us from evil.³ These promises are so certain,⁴ the Lord declares, “Prove me now herewith,”⁵ a phrase found nowhere else in the scriptures but when quoting Malachi.

The windows of heaven open in many ways. Some are temporal, but many are spiritual. Some are subtle and easy to overlook. Trust in the Lord’s timing; the blessings always come."

Personal Blessings

I can honestly say, we have seen SO many blessings during our mission time over the past 16 months. Life has not been without trials for our family members back home. It is difficult to be a continent away when these struggles comes, but we have continued to do our best, stay the course, and trust in the Lord. Indeed, the windows of heaven have been open and blessings have poured through.

We know many of you also have trials, difficulties, illness, sadness and many other struggles. "Prove the Lord" and His promises. His promises are sure. Do your best and God will take care of the rest. 

I love the words of this hymn that we sang at the end of our sacrament meeting. All that we have comes from God. 

We Give Thee But Thine Own

1.We give thee but thine own,

Whate’er the gift may be,

For all we have is thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from thee.

2.May we thy bounties thus

As stewards true receive,

And gladly, as thou blessest us,

To thee our firstfruits give.

3.To comfort and to bless,

To find a balm for woe,

To tend the lone and fatherless

Is angels’ work below.

4.And we believe thy word,

Tho dim our faith may be;

Whate’er we do for thine, O Lord,

We do it unto thee.

Text: William Walsham How, 1823–1897

Music: Anon., arr. by Lowell Mason, 1792–1872, and George J. Webb, 1803–1887

Proverbs 3:9; Matthew 25:34–40 

Sending much love from Ghana!! 💗💛💚