We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable. (2 Corinthians 8:20, 21 NLT)
It does matter what others think about you no matter how often you've been told otherwise. Paul went out of his way to make sure that he could not be called into question for mishandling an offering that was entrusted to him to be delivered to the suffering saints in Jerusalem. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your testimony. You don't always have to be guilty, you just have to be accused to lose your good name.
