ANOTHER ILLU$ION

   Wealth adds many friends, 
   But a poor man is separated from his friend.
   --Proverbs 19:4

What does this proverb tell you about friends?

It would seem that some friends can be rather fickle. Lots of folks would love to be your friend as long as you have money. But when the money is gone, they are gone too. 

Friends like that are sometimes called ‘fair-weather friends.’ They are friends in good times (fair weather), but not in bad.
(Remember the 'friends' of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15?)

What does this proverb tell you about wealth and poverty?

At first glance, it would seem that wealth is better than poverty. After all, wealth assures a person of many friends. However, if we understand that wealth attracts fickle friends, we see the true nature of wealth. Wealth can only create the illusion of friends.

Think about marriage vows for a moment. Typical marriage vows include the lines:
   For better or for worse;
   For richer or for poorer.
In other words, the marriage vows assure the bride and groom that their relationship is based on something much deeper than money and 'fair weather' circumstances.

Wealth is overrated.
Wealth creates illusions of grandeur.
Wealth has no benefit after this life.
Have you ever watched a wealthy person die? It is not their wealth that gives them confidence. It is not wealth that calms their fears.

The lesson is not to hate wealth and love poverty. That does not make sense. Rather, we must view wealth as neither good nor evil. However, it IS an illusion.

Don’t be fooled by the illusion.
Wealth will not insure true friendship.
Those who accept you or reject you based on your wealth or poverty are not real friends. So, don't chase after wealth and its illusion.