Expert: Dr Eddy Cheong - 4/2/2004

Question
Dear Dr. Cheong, I have recently been in some financial disagreements with other believers. My church has not been helpful in settling our disputes. Since 1st corinthins 6 said that we should not take a brother to law, what is the best thing to do? May God bless you,
              Sincerely, Kenneth Hightower

Answer
What you are saying is Scriptural in that we should bring unresolved issues to the church for arbitration first..

1 Cor 6:4-6
4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!  5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another-and this in front of unbelievers!
NIV

However when this fails there are other adequate guidelines in the Scriptures…
Matt 18:15-17

15 "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. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'  17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
NIV

In the verses above, our Lord Jesus detailed out the steps to take “If a brother sins against you (which is applicable in your case)…”

Step 1: Try to settle it with him personally

Step 2: Bring others in the church to try and settle it (this includes the leadership of the church)

Step 3: If the brother is not open to correction (or restitution as in your case) treat him like an unbeliever which means you can take whatever legal action necessary. A Christian is only ONE if he abides by the tenets of the New Testament Rulings. If he does not respond to a reasonable request like the repayment of a loan (Of course if the brother is in deep financial difficulty and requests for time or an easier mode of payment then grant it for the Lord also shows mercy), treat him like an unbeliever. This course of action is entirely scriptural.
You did not mention the specific nature of the financial disagreement but I am assuming that you are the one bearing the injustice.