Taking a break from Acts to address giving and generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15: Paul's clear New Testament metric for Christian giving.Paul urges the Corinthian church to complete their promised offering to the persecuted church in Jerusalem. The Macedonian church — far poorer — gave "beyond their means" and begged to participate. Now Corinth must follow through.The New Testament Metric for Giving:As PROOF of love (8:24)WILLINGLY, not under compulsion (9:5,7)BOUNTIFULLY, not sparingly (9:6)As decided IN YOUR HEART (9:7)CHEERFULLY—God loves a cheerful giver (9:7)Not dollar-for-dollar ROI. Not prosperity gospel. But spiritual blessing and God's provision for every good work.0:00 - Welcome & Introduction: 2 Corinthians 9:6-151:00 - Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-153:00 - Taking a Break From Acts (Week 42)4:00 - Members Meeting & Above and Beyond 20267:00 - Why This Sermon Now (Second Sermon on Finances in 12 Years)8:00 - Growing Up in Prosperity Gospel (Why We Don't Pass a Plate)11:00 - Context: Paul's Third Letter to Corinth13:00 - 1 Corinthians: Strong Correction / 2 Corinthians: Love & Comfort15:00 - The Offering for the Persecuted Church in Jerusalem17:00 - The Macedonian Church Gave "Beyond Their Means"19:00 - Paul to Corinth: "Don't Embarrass Me or Yourselves"20:00 - Jesus Became Poor So You Might Become Rich (Not Materially)23:00 - "Give Proof of Your Love" (2 Cor 8:24)25:00 - The New Testament Metric for Giving (9:6-15)27:00 - Not an Exaction (Not a Tax—Taxation Is Theft)29:00 - Whoever Sows Sparingly Reaps Sparingly (Farming Illustration)32:00 - Not Dollar-for-Dollar ROI (Prosperity Gospel Is Wrong)33:00 - God Is Able to Make All Grace Abound (Every Good Work)37:00 - Give as Decided in Your Heart (Not Reluctantly/Under Compulsion)42:00 - We Need Cheerful Money, Not Reluctant Money43:00 - We Give Because God Gave (Jesus, Holy Spirit)46:00 - God Delights to Entrust Resources to Faithful Stewards48:00 - New Testament Metric Summary (Proof, Willing, Bountiful, Cheerful)50:00 - Some Cannot Give at All (Why Not? Healing Questions)52:00 - Above and Beyond: For Our Church AND Our Great-Great-Grandchildren55:00 - Boys Need Targets (Observational vs. Goal-Oriented Giving)58:00 - Habakkuk 2:2: Write the Vision, Make It Plain59:00 - Current State: 3-Year Contract, Rent Increasing1:01:00 - Last Year: $2,000 Extra (Observational, Not a Goal)1:03:00 - The Young Adult Who Failed to Launch (Harsh But True)1:05:00 - $6,000 Over 3 Years = Stuck1:06:00 - Pastor's Confession: I Scoffed at $20,000 (Like Sarah)1:08:00 - Convicted by 2 Corinthians 8-9 Over Last 3 Weeks1:09:00 - The Math: 25 Households × $70/Month = $21,0001:11:00 - Some Can't Give / Some Could Cover the Whole Thing (Matching Gift?)1:14:00 - Annual Goal Moving Forward (Not Always $21K)1:16:00 - Why Ownership Matters (COVID Taught Us a Lesson)1:17:00 - Pastor's Dream: Property, Gardens, Cemetery, Wedding Chapel1:20:00 - Why Do We Give? Because God Gave1:21:00 - Closing Prayer: Confession & Faith#2Corinthians9 #Giving #Generosity #CheerfulGiver #AboveAndBeyond2026 #ChristianGiving #Stewardship #RedemptionHillChurch