THE TREASURY OF FRIENDSHIP

(Unless otherwise noted scripture quotes are from the KJV.)

Solomon said "Two are better than one... ...For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: But woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). This causes us to realize that friendship is a treasure. One would wisely remark that "A friend is a present you give yourself". Friendship is like "a soothing ointment for the cuts and bruises of life."

Do birds of a feather flock together? In nature they do and we must recognize in life this is true also. We need to learn that friendship requires maintenance. Solomon would again advise "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." (Proverbs 22:24-25). The lesson is, if you and I want to become angry and raging people simply make friends with this type of people. Paul addressing this from another angle would advise "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Beware of the influence that friends have on you, but also be thankful that you to can have influence on your friends for good. Being a light for Christ. Yes, birds of a feather do flock together.

Selecting and keeping friends is a job that we should not take lightly. After accepting the responsibility there are certain steps we can follow that will take us to the mountaintop of friendship where the TREASURY OF FRIENDSHIP can be found. Several "be's" that buzz around friendship include;

1. Be friendly "A Man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..." (Proverbs 18:24);

2. Be helpful in adversity (Proverbs 17:17);

3. Be humble "...In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3);

4.Be unselfish (Philippians 2:4);

5. Be sincere because Christ spoke of some that would "Say, and do not." (Matthew 23:3);

6.Be tolerant "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." (Colossians 3:13).

Yes friendship is a ship that must be sailed. Sailing is indeed work, polishing the ship, keeping the "rigging" in order, launching the boat, and continually adjusting the sails so the ship sails true. If we will take the time, opportunity and responsibility to keep up our friendships of this life they will truly be a "Present we give ourselves." Begin now to enjoy the treasury of friendship.