Does Public Opinion Matter?

Daily Devotional –Thursday, November 23, 2023
For we are taking pains to do what is right; not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.
2 Corinthians 8:21 (NKJV)

Serving in the church has its joys and its fair share of challenges. In my younger days, I used to believe that as long as I was honest when doing God’s work, what other people thought was not important. After all, only God can read our thoughts, and He knows I am sincere.

Before God and Men

As the years went by, however, I realized that in serving people, it is not enough that God knows I am honest. The Apostle Paul helped me understand this issue by writing, “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:21).

The apostle was referring to an offering that Titus and another disciple were to carry to the church at Corinth. Paul wanted the entire process to be done transparently because “we want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift” (verse 20). In other words, public opinion matters.

Does Public Opinion Matter?

Come to think of it, who could have doubted Paul and his fellow missionaries in their handling of the offering from diverse congregations? Yet Paul wanted to prove to both God and human beings that he and his team had operated above board in handling the contributions of the believers.

When rendering service to God and human beings, always remember to be accountable and presentable. God reads your heart, but human beings judge you by your works. Avoid criticism as much as possible by accounting for the resources that have been placed in your hands. Because public opinion matters, strive to do what is right not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

Prayer
Dear God, as I serve you, help me to always do what is right before you and before my fellow human beings.