TV ads promise to get you huge monetary settlements for personal injuries–reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death, and punitive damages. The city of Chicago has, to date, paid out nearly $600 million for wrongful convictions and incarcerations. Many other court settlements stem from unresolved disputes between corporations and individuals. Here is how the Bible tells Christians to handle disputes among themselves, found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, “When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers. Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.” Of course, certain situations may require trained professionals to become involved. Still, people of faith can often mediate conflict and bring solutions that preserve dignity, save money, and foster unity within the body of Christ.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
