Today we will read Ecclesiastes 4: 9-16:

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up the other, but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help. 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13 Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who will no longer take advice. 14 One can indeed come out of prison to reign, even though born poor in the kingdom. 15 I saw all the living who, moving about under the sun, follow that youth who replaced the king; 16 there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Finally! It happens, something worthwhile.  Something of value.  Something that is truly worth having, something you should aspire to. What is that thing, that thing so precious that the Teacher finally gives it a positive review?  

A friend. It is friendship that is worth having.  It is friendship that is of great value. It is friendship that truly matters and that is of great price. Friendship. One cord is easily broken. But three?  That is much harder.  I love that he says, that if they fail, they will lift each other up.  

It reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite tv shows: “We’re a group. We’re a team. From the President and Leo on through, we’re a team. We win together, we lose together. We celebrate and we mourn together. And defeats are softened and victories sweeter because we did them together… You’re my guys and I’m yours… and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”  

Of all the things in life worth having, there is nothing, nother better, nothing more important, nothing of greater value than relationships.  What did Jesus say is the greatest of the commandments?  Love God and love Neighbor. What is that?  Relationships.  Relationship with God, relationship with neighbor. 

So, if that is true, how are you spending your treasure?  Your time, your resources?  Are you spending them on relationships?  On friendships?  On things that truly matter?   Or are you spending them on things that really aren’t that important?  

Today, we find value. We find friendship. That is worthwhile. That has great, great value.  Will you pour into your friendships today?  Will you focus on them? For they truly matter.  Nurture them, spend time on them. For they matter so very much.  

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