Reading this chapter I could think about one thing: It's a Wonderful Life. This movie is a great example of economic friendship. A man, George Bailey, becomes the owner of his father's bank and loan business after his father passes away, keeping him from his dreams of travel and college. In his work he constantly helps people out, trusting that they will pay back when they are able. The bad guy in the movie, Mr. Potter, is constantly trying to take over the Bank and Loan and, in turn, take over the whole town. Through an unfortunate turn of events, the Bank and Loan misplaces $8,000 that it had to pay back the big bank. George Bailey does not know what to do with himself and thinks about jumping off of a bridge but is saved by his guardian angel. He soon sees what life would be like if he weren't around, and it's not good. People he had helped get housing don't have it because no one would trust them or help them out with loans. When George ends up back in the real present, he returns to his home to find that his wife is not there. Soon, the doors open and everyone George had helped in the past comes through the door with whatever money they can spare and gives it to George. The total amount is just the amount that was lost and Bank and Loan is saved from the evil Mr. Potter.
The people coming to George with their money always makes me tear up. The trust and compassion involved in such an act is beautiful, and is a perfect example of economic friendship as described by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Because of George's compassion for others when it came to financial matters, he had secured himself a safety net that he didn't even think about. This is a great way to follow the previous chapter about earthly insurance. Wilson-Hartgrove gives us an answer on how it is possible to live without saving up our own money instead of using it for God's kingdom. This doesn't answer all of our concerns, though. Just because we help out others by making economic friends, it is hard to imagine that they will help pay for a college education. For this, community is still a necessity.
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Econmic sharing is a "Christian" thing to do, as was seen in "It's a Wonderful Life". People that are willing to share and be generous will always be taken care of. It is an important lesson that continues to be taught to us. There are no limits, and our churches should rise up to the challenge and become the communities and economic sharers like Wilson-Hartgorve talked about. We need to impliment his challenge, and I think it is possible.
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