A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17

The greatest test of friendship is loyalty.

A friend loves at all times. No matter what happens, in the best of times and in the worst of times, through thick and thin, a friend will be there for you. The word is loyalty. Above all else, a friend is loyal.

A loyal friend will never betray you or undermine you. A loyal friend will never gossip about you. For a friend loves at all times.

If you lose your job and go through all your savings, a real friend will offer to help or anonymously get you money. For a friend loves at all times.

If you get a serious disease, your friend will be there. If you lose your marriage, your friend will be there. If a loved one dies, your friend will be there. He will call you, reach out to you, come to be with you. For a friend loves at all times.

If you get too big for your britches, if you begin to wander from God, if you have a blind spot that is hurting you, your friend will be the one to confront you and challenge you. For a friend loves at all times, and your welfare is more important than his comfort.

If something wonderful happens to you, say a big promotion or a significant raise or a huge bonus, your friend will be glad with you. Genuinely, deeply glad. For a friend loves at all times.

If you are discouraged or worried or hurting, and you need someone who will just listen to you, listen without being judgmental, even if it is 2 a.m., then you know you can call your friend. For a friend loves at all times.

This kind of friend, a loyal friend, a friend who loves at all times, is an incredible gift of God.

The question is not: Do I have friends like this?

The question is rather: Am I a friend like this?