Find Your PeopleSample

Investing In Your Friends

David and Jonathan are synonymous with real friendship. There’s Jonathan, next in line for his father’s throne, giving David his armor and weapons. At that time, a prince’s armor and sword indicated his power and identity, and Jonathan willingly gave them to his friend David.

In 1 Samuel 18:1, we read more about the quality of David and Jonathan’s friendship: Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

That poetic language perfectly describes the kind of friend we discussed yesterday. David and Jonathan’s close friendship was characterized by loyalty, service, and an absolute commitment to the other man’s success.

Biblical friendship is about giving, not taking.

In fact, friendships are a lot like wise financial investments. We make more deposits than withdrawals over a long period of time. Little-by-little, year-by-year, the interest accrues, and we’re left with exponentially more wealth than we invested.

Investing in our friends works the same way. Make small relational deposits by sending an encouraging text message, returning a few calls to people who are important to you, or even handwriting a thank you note.

Even if you don’t have the weapons and armor of a prince to gift a friend, you can still invest in them with what you do have: your words, time, and affection.

As you engage with God’s Word:

● What is one investment I’ve made in a friend’s life this week?

● What is God saying to me?

● How can I apply what God is teaching me?

● How can I be specific in prayer today?