Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you — better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.
Loyalty is an interesting thing…and honesty something that is not as common in our day. Too often we don’t really know who is living around us. And far too many of us don’t have a group of “go-to” friends who will be there for us no matter what. A wise person knows the value of true friends, and does not abandon them throughout all of life. There are blessings that come to us when we have long term friends. They are there with us in the good and the bad in our lives. Having close friends is essential in a society where we don’t stay close to family any longer. Oftentimes we cannot easily access close family because we don’t live close to them any longer. That is why a neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away. When tragedy and trouble strike, they often do so without warning. In those moments we need someone who can come quickly to our side and offer us comfort and encouragement. That is the moment when you need the neighbor who is near. But those kinds of relationships have to be cultivated over time. That requires both effort and time. Take the time to make, and keep, close friends. You probably won’t truly appreciate all that they can bring to your life until the moment when you need a neighbor close, rather than a brother far away. It is not being disrespectful to family. Family will always come to your aid, at least that was the way I was raised. However, we all need a neighbor who is near in times of trouble. They will be there when we need them. And their value to us cannot be measured in dollars and cents. But it can be measured in comfort and encouragement!
Spiritual Steve 