REVIEWING ‘FRIENDSHIPS’

Reference text: Sirach 6:5-17

The reference text today draws our attention to a question: ‘which kind of friend are you, and which kind of friends do you have? It captures 4 categories of friendship:

VS 8 For there are friends who are such when it suits them, but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
Those whose only proximity to you arises from what they stand to gain from you. If they have no real profiting, they step away. And your trouble is not an additive.

VS 9 And there are friends who change into enemies, and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.
These are those with whom every secret shared becomes a weapon. Individuals who may morph from kindness to hatred, and graciousness to disdain. They are ‘friends’ who were never really friends because all they do is to gain ammunition against you through proximity.

VS 10 And there are friends who sit at your table, but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
Good weather friends you can call them.
When all is well, they are near but at the closest hint of trouble, they retreat into their shells and become inaccessible.

VS 14-15 Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth.
These are those you can count on and who are not afraid to correct you. Men who will cry and celebrate with you, and in the day of trouble, they will be available.

Faithful friends are described as life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them. You can find such friendships in your spouse, family or even in strangers. I pray God guides our feet to find such.

#sly