"Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men."
2 Corinthians 8:21
Paul was a man of high personal integrity. And for his own testimony’s sake, he was prudent how he lived his life in front of people. In 2 Corinthians 8, he is taking up an offering from the churches in his travels for the church at Jerusalem, where believers were going through a time of financial hardship. He not only was concerned with taking the offering, but with how the believers’ funds were collected and handled.
Our verse for today is found in Paul’s statement, which is just one sentence in vv. 18-22. From this declaration, we are borrowing one brief thought in verse 21. In this verse, we learn a little bit of how Paul operates his affairs. His habit of honesty is something we should seek to emulate.
“Providing for honest things,”
As far as Paul is concerned, honesty isn’t “the best policy,” it is the only policy! It was with this kind of integrity that he handled his ministry. This is the same thing that he taught the Romans.
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).
Why did he have such a concern about personal honesty? Here’s why,
“Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed” (2 Corinthians 6:3).
He was convinced that he should not do anything that could cast aspersions on the ministry. If there is a breach of trust in a man’s ministry, that man will have no ministry with those who have seen the trust broken. Paul was careful not to handle the money for the Jerusalem offering by himself. He had other godly men working with him, a wise policy.
“Not only in the sight of the Lord,”
Obviously, the Lord saw everything Paul did, and he wanted to behave in the right way. God always sees our thoughts, motives, and actions. He is never fooled by our “false shuffles” and “sleight of hand” moves to keep the truth hidden. No matter how clever we are with our secrets, God always knows each detail. The believer who wants to protect his/her honesty will give thought to having the right thoughts in their heart and right actions before the Lord.
“But also in the sight of men.”
In many ways, it is much easier to show the Lord our integrity than it is convincing people that we are living above reproach. God can never be fooled! But He also demands that we are open and aboveboard with people too. “A lie is the intent to deceive.” God wants us to deal with people in honesty and integrity without any deception. This is just the way the believer is supposed to live. It all starts in a heart that is right with God. And then with the right actions in front of the lost world, and our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Believers, our testimony before the Lord, and others is important. If we are not honest, we have no testimony! We must maintain our honesty in our dealings with God and others.