Some Thoughts From Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:24

²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

It is thought that the true friend who is closer that a brother is our Savior to each of us. But in the context of Proverbs this seems very unlikely.  The writer both describes and promotes common social friendship.  And that is most assuredly the subject here.  But there are two very important truths in this verse.

1.       The number of companions does not equal friendship. There are any number of reasons people become companions of others.  Wealth, liberality, protection, and personality are but a few.  These companions are ordinarily temporary.  When what they want is taken away they depart with it.

2.      True friendship is no less a reality.  I heard this illustration in a sermon. “There are four things that cannot be bought; a baby’s smile, the love of a good woman, the friendship of an honest man, and the Grace of God.”  How true.

There is a wealth in having true friends that has no other equal.  I cherish mine.

Thank you fellows and girls.