Are you giving people rides?
Because if you are forming relationships across the economic spectrum you'll be giving your friends a ride.
The reason is obvious. Most middle to upper class people own cars. Others do not. Those without cars rely on public transportation. Consequently, especially in a town like mine which isn't a pedestrian-oriented city and where the public transportation is sparse, many people must rely upon friends and acquaintances for car rides. To get back home. To visit the doctor. To get to work. To go shopping. For all sorts of reasons.
It took me a while to realize this. As I spent more and more time at Freedom Fellowship, our church plant that reaches out to people across the economic spectrum, I found more and more people in my car. I was always giving rides. Now every time I go to church I look forward to taking Robert, Henry, Josh and Maria home. During the week I take Kristi to places where she needs to go. Last week I took her shopping for sandals. The week before that I took her to Walmart to return some jeans. Being blind and in a wheelchair it's tough for Kristi to take the bus. It's so much easier for her to give me a call. In my car I can get her where she needs to go.
All Kristi needed was a friend who was willing to share his or her car.
All of this has led me to the conclusion I gave above.
What's the simplest way to tell if you are forming friendships across the socioeconomic spectrum?
I think it's this:
Do you regularly have people in your car?
Friends without cars will need a ride from time to time. A lot of the time, actually.
Are you giving your friends a lift?
