What Have You Done With What I Gave You?

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

February 02, 2026

in Life Worth Giving, Spritual Growth

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February 01, 2026

Readings: Micah 6:1-8
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12

4th Sunday of Epiphany 2026 – Abp.Hines

Sometimes when we’re given scriptures to study or meditate upon, it’s almost impossible for us to really comprehend the whole meaning unless we look at other places. God, through the prophet Micah spoke strongly to the people. We need to look back at the beginning. God made everything out of nothing. His plans are perfect; it’s man who messes it up. God created all things for our benefit. He made sure everything else was created first; the sun, the moon and stars, water, vegetation, before He made man. We should be thankful for our lives and yet we are not content. God had to send His Only Son to identify with us as man and even go to the cross in behalf of our sin and to take away the discontentment. In spite of our disobedience, God continues to do good for us. And so, the questions God may have in His mind are, “why are you not satisfied? What have I not done for you? I’ve given you everything.” God was speaking to Micah, as He saw the people being in discontentment. Aren’t we thankful for the flowers and the trees? Some people even mock Christ dying on the cross. But God gave us the power to overcome.

Acts 3:26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” Genesis 12:1 -3 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Psalm 4:6 Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?” Lift up the light of Your face upon us, LORD!

Christ came to pronounce blessings upon us. Why are we complaining all the time? We’ve already been given blessings. Instead of asking, we should be thanking Him. Christ’s message came with blessings, destroying the difficulties of the Old Testament. Are we thankful for even the smallest things? That our fingernails grow? Our hair grows. Christ shows us what true happiness is. He has designed our lives with hope to discourage the weak and poor that they may have hope. The beauty of His love and compassion is awesome. The Old Testament may have had a lot of negative things going on but Christ changed all these things in the New Testament.

God brought healing to us, but why do we still get sick? Have we abused our lives? When Noah built the ark, he was 600 years old. When he died, he was 900. But what has happened to man today. We have gone downhill. Our lifespan has become shorter and shorter when God gives us the increase. Is it because we have given so much to the world and submit ourselves to the world system? Christ gave us principles of Christianity. In the old bible, where we find the Sermon on the Mount, it says there the “blessedness” of the poor, because God is the one who gives us the blessings.

The world gives us stress and anxiety when we should be accepting the peace of God. He has given us life. We should not overlook what He has given to us. We should put our confidence in God instead of things. There should be a hunger and thirst for righteousness’ sake. Our hearts have to be pure and not be deceiving. He has given us honesty and truth-we are peacemakers. When we are insulted, we do not fight back. Rejoice and be glad, for our reward in heaven is great. The world may think we are foolish. But we don’t lose when we are with God. “What have you done with what I have given you?” We need to be grateful to Him at all times.