Cardboard friendship

There's a saying in Estonian 'A house built of cardboard doesn't last'. Seems like a logical saying, since cardboard is not the the best material to withstand wind or rain.

Cardboard ('papp') is also an Estonian slang term for money or cash. This of course adds an interesting twist to this saying. Sure, money is often needed buy materials to build a house, but you certainly don't build the house out of cash itself.

I've often wondered how much this 'cardboard-money' effects friendships. How many friendships are built on a currency that continually looses value (in Estonian cash is appropriately called 'sularaha' or 'melting money'). Cash is just paper we put a value to. Not a strong material for building, is it?

A few days ago, a 'friend' sent me an email where he expressed his disappointment and anger relating to one of his investments going sour. I personally had no ties or financial interest in his investment, though as an act of friendship i initially helped him negotiate the deal, and later tried to help in resolving his dilemma. The situation's dragged on, he's understandably not happy with the situation, but now he's demanding i do something about it as if i'm responsible.

After reading his threatening demand, another old saying came to mind: 'No good deed shall go unpunished'. How often do we hold people hostage who have tried to help us? If someone has helped  us along our journey, is it our right to demand that person help us again in the future? Or should we be thankful, and consider it a privilege to have such good and helpful friends in our lives. Building a relationship on selfish rights or demands is building with cardboard. It just does not last.

Money has destroyed many friendships. The scripture says money is the root of all evil. It's true, one should keep away from those who are corrupt in their ways, for they can steal and destroy others for personal gain. So when unexpected financial turmoil erodes a friendship, i begin to question what the friendship was built with?

Flimsy cardboard just won't last, but a solidly built friendship stands the tests of time.