Note 19 at 2Co 11:12: Paul's motive for not receiving personal offerings from the Corinthians was to stop criticism of him and the Gospel he preached. He gave such a selfless example by the way that he conducted himself financially, that it would be inconceivable that anyone could successfully oppose him. These false apostles (2Co 11:13) who had challenged him were not refusing financial aid from the Corinthians. If the Corinthians had cut off support to these false apostles, they would have gone on to greener pastures. They were not true to God, but only to themselves. Their greed proved it.

Paul was saying, "If they want to criticize me, let them live like me--refusing to receive gifts." Paul knew that would silence his opponents.