The Check is in the Mail: What's a Christian to do when he is owed money?

I don't know if there   are many people who read these blog posts, but perhaps a few do and may gain some insight on what to do (or not to do) on some of the thoughts that I share.  

Today, I want to talk about financial stress when clients who owe you money.

One of the biggest frustrations I have in owning a small service business is getting paid timely. Most of my clients are large companies who have done pretty well over the years and some have done so by holding out on paying their debts. I may anger some of them who do this, but it's true.

Suppose you could hold off on paying your debts and have the use of that money for a few more months, you could invest that money and grow it?  I find such to be completely unfair because they demand the work be done, but then they complain when you  don't do enough or complain when you do to much.

Let me say this, very many of my clients DO pay timely. They are honorable companies who know  you are trying to do your best for them and that there are times when the work takes more time than expected or may cost more than they anticipated. They know if you are trying to do the right thing that you will not bill dishonestly. If you DO, then you should be fired immediately.

It's not the majority that are the problem, but the minority of those who don't pay timely or regularly second guess if you have done all you should do or think you have done too much, can really make the practice of law frustrating. It's not just law firms who deal with this issue. Anyone in the service industry (doctors, lawyers, plumbers and the list goes on) deal with clients who don't pay timely.

As a Christian, what should you do? Here are a few thoughts that I must keep in mind. I hope these ideas encourage you too.

One of the major themes of the Bible is obedience to the Lord.  Obedience to these principles demonstrate that Christians are trusting God in another area of their lives.

God is Source

The first principle is that God is the source of everything. Philippians 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Proverbs 8:20,21 adds, "I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures."

Whenever we need money or possessions, prayer is the answer. Look to the Lord, because He will provide it-according to His will. Clients are simply a conduit of God's provision; they are not the ultimate source of our financial blessings.  Sometimes I get so frustrated when professional and personal debts are owed and clients have owed me money for over ninety days that  I tend to focus on them and what they should be doing. Not to say that we don't contact them and try to work out the payments, but just remember they are NOT the ultimate answer to our needs.

Giving Essential

The second principle is that of giving. Luke 6:38, a key verse, says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again

Ouch! This is a tough one, but it's not just about tithing. I strongly believe in tithing, but in addition to that, what am I doing in  the business to do for others who  cannot help themselves.

Have we given God the first of our time? For example, the man who is unwilling to cancel a newspaper subscription, which is keeping him from reading the Word of God, may often be the same man who is having trouble making the payments on the TV set that is keeping him from doing the things that would help him grow closer to the Lord. So it can be a vicious cycle.

Live On Margin

The third principle is that of living on a margin. Everyone ought to live on a margin-a physical margin, a spiritual margin, a time margin and a financial margin. Living on a margin simply means allowing room for things to happen. I am still working on this one because I don't do a very good job because sometimes it seems that to make the ends meet, I have to get right to the edge of the ledge.

Keep Out of Debt

Another principle is to keep out of unnecessary debt and thus avoid the debt trap. Again, this is one of the areas that I have not been the best example. When there are needs, I may dip into the line of credit, when I should say No.

Too many people think you can buy now and pay later. That isn't true. I've found that easy credit now make me uneasy. I make every effort to pay my debts monthly, but there are times because of the lack of timely cash flow that I have to borrow from the line of credit.

I am trying not to do that, but that it when I have to remind myself of the first principle.

Secret of Contentment

Being content with what one has. Hebrews 13:5 puts it succinctly: "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

One area where people often first become discontent involves the old automobile. Too many persons trade or sell their cars before they are used up.  Many salesmen make the slick remark, "You just make that easy monthly payment." There is seldom anything easy about that monthly payment. It seems to get harder to make all the time.

I am pretty good at this one because I have only purchased a new car twice thirty years and I have driven those for years. I have had car salesman complain about how I tend to drive cars far beyond when THEY think I should. I like that. Most cars are good for more miles than most people put on them.

Just because a car has over 100,000 miles doesn't mean a person has to get rid of it. Look at some of the buses, trucks and cars still going strong, especially in countries outside North America. They are cars of the same age and mileage that other people junked years ago.

A worthwhile saying to remember on contentment is this: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without."

Work Hard

The Scriptures spell it out: "In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury [ poverty]" (Prov. 14:23). "He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough" (28:19).

It is important to work. "In the beginning God created" (Gen. 1:1). Even God is at work. This is a principle throughout the Bible. Many times I find that people in financial trouble aren't really working hard.

Don't even get me started on this one because I have some pretty strong opinions!

Do you need to get a second job? Do you need to meet with more people to market what you do? Do you just to spend more HOURS doing the work? I know it sounds old-fashioned, but I often wonder about the work ethic of some younger people. In fact, it seems to me that the smarter the person is the less he/she wants to devote WORK.

Seek Godly Counsel

The last principle is that of seeking godly counsel. Psalm 1:1 declares, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly."

Before buying a house, purchasing a car or just borrowing money, pray about it and seek the counsel of godly people. They can keep you from making a lot of mistakes. The reason so many persons don't seek counsel is that they don't want to be told by someone an intended action is unsound-they just like to do what they want anyway.

Don't be hurried into any deal. The worst deal in the world is often the one in which a person is rushed into signing-capitulating to a relentless salesman's chance-of-a-lifetime-offer pressure tactics.

Here is another area that I need to learn some tough lessons. The best offer in the world can wait.

Conclusion

These are  just a few biblical financial principles. Just remember after you have done all you can, then just stand.  Be content and  stand firm in the truth because God has said:

"Never will I leave you;

Never will I forsake you." Deut. 31:6,8

For all of you who are trying to take the next right step in how you manage your business in Godly way, I am praying for you. I welcome your prayers as well. I pray God will bless you abundantly more than your wildest imagination. It may not be financially, but the blessing may be in health, wisdom, contentment, peace, or joy.

I leave you with the words of song by Paul Oakley:

It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender
To Your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want You to know
I will follow You all my days

For no one else in history is like You
And history itself belongs to You
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me
And I will spend eternity with You