Paul was very conscious of his need to guard his project and the people involved in it from any charge of financial mismanagement. Doing what was correct was not enough for Paul. He wanted to make sure that everyone perceived what he did as honest and above board as well. Paul had learned to anticipate the suspicions or accusations of those who viewed his ministry critically and to take necessary precautions. [source][source][source]
"Cicero"s words (De officiis 22175) are appropriate: "but the main thing in all public administration and public service is to avoid even the slightest suspicion of avarice" ..." [1][source]
Some observers doubtless wondered if Paul was using the money of other people for his own advantage. Others probably suspected him of skimming a certain percentage of the large gift off the top as his commission. To guard against any misunderstanding Paul had originally thought that he would not accompany the delegates who carried the money to Jerusalem ( 1 Corinthians 16:3-4; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:16; Romans 15:25). He had also insisted that the churches rather than he appoint the delegates ( 1 Corinthians 16:3) and that two delegates accompany Titus to Corinth before he arrived ( 2 Corinthians 8:18-19; 2 Corinthians 8:22-23). He sought to apply the wisdom of Proverbs 3:4, which 2 Corinthians 8:21 virtually restates. [source][source][source]
We need to apply Paul"s wise caution in our day when so many professed servants of the Lord have proved deceitful. We cannot afford to be naive or careless about doing things that are honorable in the sight of all men. [source][source][source]