TRUE FRIENDSHIPS vs. TRANSACTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
If 7 out of 10 calls to me are asking for something, it is not a friendship, it is a transactional relationship.
An example of a friendship killer call is, “Hey Fred, Zechariah here. Been a long time. How are you? I’ve really missed you. How is Susie? What’s Jay up to? . . . Before we hang up I want to tell you about my new business. You can make thousands if you sign up with me.”
If a friendship is not mutually beneficial and if a relationship is not close to a 50/50 give and take, it is not a true friendship.
The acid test of a true friendship happens when you have absolutely nothing tangible to give, yet this amazing person stands with you. This is a true friend.
A true friend of mine was fired from his job. He became very depressed. This is what he told me after I called him often over a period of months, “I thought I had leprosy, so few friends called me.”
These past five years have taught me a great deal about my true friendships and my transactional relationships.
I can tell you this. We have less true friendships than we think we have, and we are true friends to fewer people than we think we are.
Don’t believe me? Read the account offshore, many stood with Jesus on his walk to the cross.
So what is my point?
Take serious time to identify true friendships in your life. Now make sure these precious few get the first fruits of your life.
Three action steps to treasure my true friends:
- Connect with them without an ASK
- Do an act of kindness for them
- Pray for them
