• “God Loves a Cheerful Giver”
    The Watchtower—1998 | November 1

    • Paul enlisted the help of congregations as far away as Macedonia, and he arranged for a collection to be taken in behalf of the poverty-stricken Christians in Judea. To the Corinthians, Paul wrote: “Just as I gave orders to the congregations of Galatia, do that way also yourselves. Every first day of the week let each of you at his own house set something aside in store as he may be prospering.”a—1 Corinthians 16:1, 2.

  • “God Loves a Cheerful Giver”
    The Watchtower—1998 | November 1

    • a Although Paul “gave orders,” this does not mean that he set forth arbitrary, compulsory demands. Instead, Paul was simply supervising the collection, which involved several congregations. In addition, Paul said that each one “at his own house” was to give “as he may be prospering.” In other words, each contribution was to be made in a private and voluntary manner. No one was coerced.