Proverbs 19:4

This verse is from the book of Proverbs, a collection of ancient wisdom sayings mostly attributed to King Solomon of Israel, who lived around 970 BC and was celebrated for his insight into human nature. The proverb makes a stark, unsentimental observation: money attracts people, and its absence drives them away. It isn't prescribing how things should be — it's describing how they often are. It invites an honest look at what actually holds our relationships together, and whether our own friendships are more transactional than we'd care to admit.

God, give me the courage to be a friend who stays — not just when it's easy or beneficial, but when it costs me something. Show me who in my life needs that kind of loyalty right now, and give me eyes to actually see them. Amen.

Nobody wants to believe this about themselves — that their friendships might be quietly transactional. But if you've ever lost a job, gone through a financial crisis, or simply stopped being useful to someone, you probably know exactly what this proverb feels like from the inside. The friend who stopped calling after your status changed. The invitation that disappeared when you couldn't keep up. Proverbs doesn't dress this up or offer comfort. It just names it, the way a wise old friend names something uncomfortable and then holds your gaze until you figure out what to do with it. Here's the harder question this verse is quietly asking: which side of this dynamic are you on? It's easy to feel like the one who was abandoned. It's harder to examine whether you've ever been the one doing the quiet drift — staying close to people who are useful or impressive, losing interest in those who are struggling or inconvenient. Real friendship is rare precisely because it costs something. Who in your life right now might be waiting to find out if your friendship survives their hard season?