Following Christian Precepts...While Collecting Unpaid Invoices

Following Christian Precepts...While Collecting Unpaid Invoices

God guides us, throughout the Bible, to be good stewards of our time, money and resources. To this end, there are many variables to be explored when making collection efforts that I have detailed below of situations and circumstances where we tried to go the extra mile in being a Christian and a Believer on both collection issues and difficult economic times. These principles will do much to guide and direct you as you handle the collections of your business.

-Being Willing to Sit Down With an Arbitrator, a fellow Believer, or their clergy. Just as Jesus deals with us directly through the prompting of the Holy Spirit so are we to be willing to deal directly with others to ensure that open and honest communication, at least on your part, is always maintained. If a debtor is unwilling to resolve the matter in any amicable sensible fashion, then offer to meet with an arbitrator or a fellow Believer or their clergy. Your goal in these conversations should not be to be right, but only just and fair. I have often been willing to walk away from/reduce billings in an effort to keep peace and to live in peace. I always suggest being willing to meet with their pastor in an effort to not have a biased mediator as well as to make others more comfortable. "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Matthew 18:15

-Be Patient. Perhaps there is no greater virtue than patient. Imagine what would happen if God was not patient with us. Though our payment terms and contract specify that checks for all billed monies are due to be paid upon receipt of the invoice, we have frequently granted payment terms over months and even years. Just recently we were involved in a case, where we waited over three years to pursue more stringent collection efforts. Seeking not to judge, lest we be judged, should be of critical moral and strategic importance when pursuing all collection efforts.

-Walk Miles and Miles in Others Shoes. It is only when we really try, and not just do it half-heartedly, that we can begin to help and see others more clearly. One of the cases we were involved in was a client to whom we granted, in advance, the longest payment terms my firm had ever agreed to. I did this to help him out of a very difficult and trying economic time that they were suffering through. To this end, the client returned by favor by:

-Not honoring their initial commitment.
-Not honoring their three plus commitments to mail checks and funds.
-We failed to receive a promised money order, two promised overnight packages, and a separate package that enclosed three checks, to be applied against their balances.

Regardless of their failures, just recently I approached them and sought to see if there were other issues going on in their life or perhaps Spiritual Warfare they are in the middle of that perhaps I might help with or pray for. God does not allow me to judge my Brothers and Sisters in Christ but does require that we constantly to look to the good in others and indeed to consider others better than ourselves.

To read more about John Dillard CPA and his CPA practice, business consulting and IRS representation visit http://www.hiscpa.com/  (All Rights Reserved)

To read about his books A Voice of One, Overcoming Life's 9/11's and Charleston Dawn and his speaking ministry visit http://www.john-dillard.com/