Making friends is also about being helpful. A true friend helps you out, but a false friend runs off as soon as trouble comes. This takes us straight into what has been called the ‘social gospel’, the idea that outreach is not just about telling people the good news of salvation on Christ but demonstrating His love for them through our acts of kindness and works of charity. Think about this for a moment. Imagine you are to be approached by two different people, not at the same time, but independently. The first is coming to sell you something – to persuade you to change your ideas, your beliefs, your buying patterns, or political affiliation. The second is coming because they have heard that you have a need in some respect and they want to help you out. Which of these visitors would you rather entertain? Which would you welcome the most? I trust I have made my point. Who is lost to whom we could bring some help and support today?