Christian Debt Assistance

Forms of Christian debt assistance can provide you with a more personal outlook and hope toward debt elimination than assistance provided by other companies. Assistance comes in various forms -- from direct debt payments to training you how to budget and quickly eliminate debt from your personal balance sheet.

Debt Counseling

Several Christian-based organizations exist to serve you with the information needed to understand your debt situation and how to improve it. Debt counseling services typically offer debt consolidation, which pulls all of your debt into one account and reduces your obligations to one payment, and debt settlement, which negotiates with your creditors for a more affordable debt payoff. There is usually a basis on Christian principles including Scripture references and prayer support. When choosing an organization, make sure it has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau and has counselors certified by a reputable financial counseling organization such as the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Benevolence Funds

Many churches offer benevolence funds to church patrons, visitors and neighbors for times when they are experiencing financial hardship. Some churches require the money to be paid back while others do not expect money returned at all. Not all churches allow access to their benevolence funds for debt assistance purposes. Church deacons and elders typically make the decision of whether an applicant should receive financial assistance.

Workshops

There are workshops available for people to learn about money and debt management using Christian principles. Crown Financial Ministries and Financial Peace University offer courses to maintain budgets and reduce debts. There is usually a fee associated with the course. You receive course materials and access to counselors or mentors who can help you reduce and eliminate debt.

Warning Against False Companies

"Christian" has become a term used by several organizations to sell their services yet some do not follow Christian principles. Make sure there is Scripture that justifies tasks in the system and that elements you believe in as a Christian are included in their budgeting recommendations to you, such as tithing. Find out if the company or its owners have a religious affiliation.