Why did Paul want the Corinthians to collect the offering before he arrived?
Paul wanted the Corinthians to gather their offering before he arrived so their giving would not be influenced by his presence. He did not want them to give merely to impress him or dig into another pocket because Paul was watching. The gift was to be voluntary, as God had prospered them, not compelled by his visit.
Les explains that Paul wanted the collection finished before he arrived so the Corinthians would not be under his influence. They were not to give because Paul was present and watching, digging into another pocket to impress him. Instead, Christian giving is to be voluntary, as God has prospered, not a mandated 10 percent. Paul’s instruction protected their free will and kept the gift from being pressured by his visit.