How to Win Friends and Not Lose Self-Respect
The poor is disliked even by his neighbor,聽but the rich has many friends. (Proverbs 14:20) ESV
讙址旨诐志诇职汁专值注值讛讜旨 讬执砖指旨讉郑谞值讗 专指謶砖讈 讜职讗止讛植讘值謻讬 注指砖执讈郑讬专 专址讘执旨纸讬诐變
Ever wonder how two soon-to-be newlyweds can spend a $1 billion on a wedding? 聽One couple in Moscow took the celebration of a lavish wedding ceremony to a whole new level.
The wedding was held at Safisa, a luxury banqueting venue the couple transformed into a fairy-tale setting with walls of freshly-cut flowers and furniture from Paris.
The 600 wedding guests were served sushi and feasted on a full European meal, which ended with the presentation of a cake taller than the couple. Elie Saab designed the bride’s 28-pound custom gown, which is estimated to cost $25,000.
For entertainment at the ceremony, the couple enlisted Sting and Enrique Iglesias to warm up the stage for none other than Jennifer Lopez.
An official price tag for the wedding isn’t available, but Harper’s Bazaar estimates it falls within the $1 billion range.
Knowing opportunists who are out to聽hobnob with the rich and famous, I doubt whether many invited guests declined to attend this unique affair.
As a former pastor I have officiated at countless weddings. 聽Some affairs were exquisitely done. Others were simple鈥揳 church fellowship hall with punch and wedding cake for refreshments.
What I remember most about these weddings is not the money spent, but the genuine support and friendship the guests had shown towards the couple.
The value of lasting friendships is the subject of 聽Proverbs 14:20. What is friendship? How can we tell when relationships are real or based on dubious motives?
In this no nonsense proverb, Solomon cautions us against using friendships to get close to people capable of providing something for our benefit.
The King of Israel questions whether we avoid friends going through financial hardships because they may expect us to rush to their aid. In contrast, we may gravitate more towards the well-to-do because of how they may benefit us. (more…)
