Why did Paul tell the Corinthians the men coming would expect something from them?
Paul alerted the Corinthians that the visiting men would expect a collection because Corinth had far more to offer than the poorer churches in northern Greece. He wanted their bounty collected beforehand so it would be ready to be picked up and taken to Jerusalem, not procrastinated.
Les explains that Paul was setting the Corinthians up by reminding them that these men would expect something from them, because Corinth had so much more to offer than the poor churches up in northern Greece. Paul had already exhorted the brethren to go before them and make up beforehand their bounty so it might be ready. Les points out Paul's constant drumming: have it done when the fellows get there; don't put it off or procrastinate; have the offerings collected and ready so they can pick it up and take it on to Jerusalem. He then ties this to verse 6, "he who soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly," using the farming illustration that sowing half the required seed will not produce a full crop. In the Christian experience, Les teaches, tight giving and holding back when one has the ability causes God to hold back His blessings.