DAILY DEVOTIONAL TODAY – April 8, 2025 || Our Daily Bread [Daily Devotion] | MamClaireTV

Daily Bread Devotional:
Devotional Topic: "RENT-A-FRIEND"

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 4:8

Devotional Message:
(Ecclesiastes 4:8)
"For whom am I toiling, 'he asked, and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment."

Did you know there is a real business called “Rent-a-Friend”? Yes, it's a website where you can literally pay someone to spend time with you. They’ll go shopping with you, attend a wedding with you, or just have a meal and talk with you—for a price. It sounds strange at first, maybe even a little funny, but when you think about it deeply, it’s also very sad.

Why would someone pay for friendship? The answer is simple: because they feel alone.

Let me tell you a short story that illustrates this...

A Short Story – The Lonely Boss

There was a very successful businessman named Mr. Tan. He owned three companies, had five cars, lived in a mansion, and was always surrounded by employees and business partners. But one day, his secretary noticed something odd: even though he had everything, he never smiled. He always worked late, and when it was time for holidays, he would stay in the office.

One Friday night, the secretary saw him sitting at his desk, just staring at a photo. It was a picture of him and his childhood best friend—back when life was simple, when they used to laugh and dream together. That friend had moved away years ago, and they lost touch.

The secretary bravely asked, “Sir, why don’t you call him?”

He replied quietly, “I don’t even know where he is. I was too busy chasing success. Now… I have no one to call.”

This verse isn’t just describing one man from the Bible—it’s describing thousands of people today.

Application – What Can We Learn?

1. Don’t trade people for profit.
We often work so hard to build our dreams, but if in the process we lose the people we love, what’s the point? What’s the use of having a big house if there's no laughter inside it? Or having a great meal if there’s no one to share it with?

God designed us for relationships. We were made for connection. No job, no money, no social media fame can replace the warmth of a real friend, a caring family, or a community that knows you by name.

2. True friends can’t be bought.
“Rent-a-friend” may give you company for an hour—but when the clock runs out, so does the connection. True friendship is not a service; it’s a gift. It's about sacrifice, trust, loyalty, and time.

The best friends in life are not the ones who are always perfect—but the ones who stay, who listen, who laugh and cry with you—not because they're paid, but because they care.

3. We need to be intentional.
Just like money doesn’t grow on trees, friendships don’t grow overnight. We need to invest in people. Call someone. Check on your family. Be there for your classmates or co-workers. Eat together, pray together, grow together. Don’t be so busy making a living that you forget to live with others.

4. Start with God—our first and forever friend.
Even if you feel like you don’t have a single friend right now, don’t lose hope. Jesus understands loneliness. He was abandoned, betrayed, and left alone to die. Yet He did it all so He could bring us into a relationship with God. He doesn’t charge an hourly rate—He gave His life for free. And He says, “I no longer call you servants… I call you friends.” (John 15:15)

Challenge – Be the Friend Someone Needs

If you're lonely, reach out. If you're not, look around. Someone in your circle is silently praying for a friend. Be the answer to that prayer.

You don’t have to be rich, funny, or popular to be a good friend. Just be present. Be kind. Be real.

And remember: the greatest friendship you’ll ever have is not one you rent—it’s the one God freely offers.

Closing Thoughts:

The man in Ecclesiastes gained the world but lost connection. Don’t let that be your story. Invest in people. Build real friendships. Walk with God. And never forget: no amount of success is worth it if you have no one to celebrate with.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding us that life is not meant to be lived alone. Teach us to value people more than possessions. Help us to build meaningful friendships, and to be the kind of friend that brings joy to others. Most of all, thank You for being our faithful friend—even when we feel alone. Amen.


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April 8, 2025
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