According to our passage, friendship takes effort on the part of two individuals. If a man would have a friend, he must be friendly. While this may seem obvious, it is valuable instruction for us as we think about our interpersonal relationships. Whether we are trying to establish new relationships, or maintain and rekindle an old one, it takes effort. True friendship is not established in a single conversation, but in the repetitive act of showing one’s self friendly. Many are tempted to take a back seat in this arena and wait for people to flock to them in an effort to establish friendships. When this doesn’t happen (outside of small talk it rarely will) the individual becomes deflated, frustrated, and paranoid. This passage helps us with this frustration; if an individual would have friends, they must actively show themselves interested in the lives, opinions, cares, worries, victories, and struggles of others. As friendships are established, we will have friends of differing degrees. The type of friend that Solomon speaks of at the end of this passage is the one who is intimate and committed in all seasons of life. We should all strive to be this kind of friend. We should also be thankful that every Christian has this type of friend in Christ.