The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
“When it comes to friends, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.” When my children were growing up, I taught them to value their true friends, and to be a true friend themselves. They learned that true, lasting friendships were often mingled in with many acquaintances, and even a few false “friends.” And the test of time proves which friends are the “quarters.”
Most of us have known peers who seem to make friends everywhere they go, it looks effortless. And for the quiet, shy ones who struggle to make a friend, envy often creeps in just watching as they talk and laugh with their newest “friend.” It seems everyone wants to be around them, and truly likes them.
There is nothing wrong with being an outgoing and enjoyable person to be with. Many of us are blessed to know these individuals. They make us feel at ease and seem interested in what we are saying in conversation with them. But no one can truly be a close and lasting friend with a large number of people because to truly be that type of friend takes time and energy, and we only have so much of these things to give to those in our life.
The Book of Proverbs, filled with wisdom for all areas of life, points us in the direction of a true friend and warns us of the pitfalls of having unreliable friends: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV) Words are easy to say, but a true friend shows by their actions that they are loyal: “Many people will tell you what loyal friends they are, but are they telling the truth?” (Proverbs 20:6 Living Bible)
Time spent with someone will show whether they are a true friend. Seeing people in different situations brings out their character, and God’s Word is our reference. Cherish those true friends He brings to you, and remember that the value is not in how many friends you have, but in how many are true, loyal, and faithful.
“When it comes to friends, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.” – What a great quote! This is SO true. MY ‘4 quarters’ it seemed, always had a pocket full of pennies. And that was okay with me because by nature, I like my solitude most of the time anyway. It has taken a lifetime to cultivate these steadfast friendships. I’ve realized, as I’ve gotten older, that true friends aren’t necessarily the ones who are around every day- though sometimes they are. True friends can be the ones that perhaps you may not see for a very long time, and have little contact with. Still, when together, it is as if the time spent apart is non-existent.
I am fortunate to have friends like that, and I value every single one for what they’ve added to my life. And each one added something unique and special.
True friends are blessings God puts in our path. We need to be able to recognize them and be a good friend in return so that they want to stay.
What a blessing it has been today, to reflect on my friendships!
Thank you Lisa. Great quote, and I really enjoyed this article.