William Burkitt on 2 Corinthians 8:3

Three things are here recorded as the glory of the Macedonian's charity.

(1.) It was profusely liberal, beyond their ability: To their power, yea, and beyond their power, they were ready. Though, generally speaking, we are to consult our own ability and present circumstances in all our charitable distributions; yet there may be, and sometimes are, emergent occasions, as may make it a necessary duty to administer to other's necessities far beyond our own ability.

(2.) Their charity was purely voluntary; They were willing of themselves; that is, unsolicited by the apostle, unasked by any other, only prompted to it by the grace of God: They made a collection amongst themselves freely and cheerfully.

(3.) Their charity was accompanied with importunity to the apostle to receive and distribute it. He was so far from intreating them to give, that they intreated him to receive their collection, and to take care for its conveyance to them, and distribution among them: Praying us with much intreaty, that we would receive this their gift, and fellowship of ministry to the saints.