“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” — Matthew 22: 20-22

Jesus gave this oft-quoted response when asked by church officials whether he felt his followers should have to pay the Roman tax. The questioners were seeking to trap Jesus and arrest him, yet they walked away satisfied with the answer.

In today’s complex financial world, it’s difficult sometimes to keep our wits about us when faced with bill collectors and demands for payment. Sometimes, we don’t even remember or understand the debt the caller wants to discuss. When it comes to debt collection phone calls, it is all too easy to respond in a less-than-Christian and less-than-responsible way.

Here are a few tips on how to handle bill collectors in a Christian manner.

1. Pick up The Phone and Make Responsible Arrangements
Speaking with a bill collector is very unfamiliar territory for most. For this reason, the first reaction to a known bill collector is often to avoid the call. However, it is important to face the matter head on.

When overwhelmed and put on the spot, it is very easy to promise a bill collector more than you can afford. You want to fulfill your obligation, and you probably want to get the person to stop calling. However, you don’t want to jeopardize your other financial obligations by agreeing to more than you can truly afford. A better solution is to disassociate yourself from the emotions of the phone call, call the collector back after you’ve had time to make a budget, and work out a solution that will be satisfying to both the collector as well as your finances.

2. Be Polite
Bill collectors can bring out bad behavior in many of us. After all, not having enough to pay what you owe is frustrating in itself, let alone with an aggressive stranger letting reminding you of the shortcoming. However, it is important to remember that the person on the other end of the phone is someone like you, just trying to earn money to house, clothe and feed his or her family. Even if the person is rude to you, the proper Christian response is to “turn the other cheek” and end the call politely.

3. Educate yourself
If this is a new situation to you, as it is for most people, it may be helpful to educate yourself on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The collection industry is very regulated and knowing your rights can be very empowering and prevent you from being taken advantage of.

4. Ask For Help
If, despite all of your efforts, you are unable to make reasonable arrangements with the bill collector don not just let it build up on you- ask for help. The Christian Debt Relief programs offered by FaithWorks Financial can help you get your accounts back on track, or settled entirely, so that you can put the situation behind you and move on to rebuild your financial house.

To learn more about how FaithWorks Financial can help you on the road to financial freedom, fill out the short form on the right or call us at 877-232-5109. We are a Christian debt relief agency and we share your Christian views.