What Makes a Good Friend?

ON December 25, 2010, a 42-year-old woman in Britain posted a suicide note on a well-known social networking site. Her message sounded like a desperate plea for attention. Although the woman had more than a thousand social network "friends" online, not one  came to her aid.  The police found her body a day later. She had taken a fatal overdose. 

Today, modern technology allows us to make hundreds, or even thousands, of social network "friends" by merely adding their names to our list of computer contacts. And when we wish to end of those "friendships," we simply delete that person's name from our list.  However, the tragic incident involving the woman in Britain underscores a startling reality-true friendship still eludes many. In fact, one recent survey revealed that although we are socializing more, the number of truly close friends has decreased. 

Like most people, you probably agree that good friends are important. You may also recognize that there is more to being a friend that simply clicking links on a computer screen or a smart phone. What do you look for in a friend?  How can you be a good friend? What does it take to forge a lasting friendship? 

Consider the following four guiding principles, and note how the Bible's practical advice can help you to be the kind of person others would want as a friend. 

Next time: What Makes a Good Friend?/ 1. Show That You Really Care

From the jw.org publications