1. The Blessing Of Having Friends
Proverbs

4. Friends are valuable – they are one of greatest blessings a man can have
Sometimes we are closer to our friends than our physical family

5. I. Picking Friends

7. We need to seek after true friends and not “fair weather” friends

8. Fair weather friend = A friend who supports others only when it is easy and convenient to do so (dictionary.com)

9. Proverbs 19:4
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

10. 13:20 – Influence of friends
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

11. 27:17 – a good friend will make us better
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

12. 22:24-25 – avoid those who have a bad influence on our character
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.

13. II. Producing Friendships

14. 18:24 – we must be friendly to have friends
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

15. 25:17 – don’t “wear out your welcome”
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

16. 17:9 – Be forgiving toward others
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

17. 17:17 – Help others in time of need
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

18. III. Preserving Friendships

19. 16:28 – Don’t gossip about your friends
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends (KJV)
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. (NKJV)

20. 25:19 – Don’t betray your friend’s trust
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

21. 26:18-19 – avoid hurtful conduct
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!” (NKJV)

22. 6:1-2 – Don’t become involved in your friends financial affairs
My son, if you become surety for your friend, If you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. (NKJV)

23. I. Picking Friends

24. II. Producing Friendships

25. III. Preserving Friendships

26. Friendships can be one of the most valuable blessings a man can have
Let us work to pick, produce and preserve meaningful friendships