Who says you can't buy friends? Solomon points out that wealth draws friends like moths to a candle. But are they truly friends? While they may appear to be friendly, what is their motivation? Your wealth or well-being? Such thoughts plant a seed of doubt about people's true intentions.
My wife and I have had our share of financial challenges. But looking in hindsight, we never felt closer to each other than when we teamed together to fight our way out of such challenges. And our friends then? The best we ever had!
It makes me stop and challenge my own personal motivation for friendship with others. Is it for my own personal benefit? Is it the "connections" they have in lofty positions? Or is it simply a matter of showing God's love to others? When Jesus came to the earth, he didn't pursue the rulers of the country or the church. Rather, he focused upon the dregs of society: the poor, the sick, low-income workers and tax collectors. What was his motivation? For His benefit or for their benefit? As Christians, we should be friendly to others, regardless of their station in life. Didn't He do the same to us?
