Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ESVUK

Writing about verses 6-15, Tom Wright says, ‘Paul rounds off his careful and cautious appeal about the collection by standing back from the details of travel plans and other arrangements and outlining the world-view within which generous giving of the sort he has in mind no longer seems awkward or peculiar…As always, Paul’s vision of God’s people is firmly rooted in the Bible…’

The evangelist, Lindsay Clegg, apparently paraphrased verse 7 as ‘Hallejujah. Here comes the plate!’

In preaching on this passage, David Pawson said that what it means in practical terms is that we enjoy this part of the service. People may say that they enjoy the singing, or the sermon etc. But do we enjoy the offering?

Do you ever feel a sense of excitement about the opportunity and privilege of giving? May God grant that our giving should be a delight to us, even as we seek to bless others – that we might be like the Macedonians in feeling it is a ”favour” done to us, to be permitted to give (see 8:4).

‘Our service, our giving, must be done generously; our acts of mercy must be done cheerfully (Romans 12:8). If when we give we are not happy about it, then we are not giving in the right way. Let us remember Jesus’ words: ”It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Jesus said: ”Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

”…God loves a cheerful giver” because He Himself is ”a cheerful giver”. His self-giving in Jesus is the great example in these chapters: ”Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (15).