And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. (Jam 2,23)

At the first level of his relationship with God, a man is in the position of a child. The child enjoys the fact that it is loved, it does not return anything to the parents for their care - except for a smile, a nice look - it is enough that it is theirs and simply exists, and it should be so. In the same way, one expects from God help, support and comfort in difficult moments, so that he can feel and experience his love.

But just as in life, one is to grow in his relationship to God. The next level is the one of a friend. Friendship must not be based on what the other one can bring me. It is an intimate relationship, primarily a matter of mutual understanding, even if it does not bring any immediate advantage: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Pr 17:17) As soon as other elements insinuate into it (such as efforts to sell household cleaners or insurance), it brings about a damage, because it is clear that one party wants to use it for its own profit.

He who is in the position of a friend in relation to God no longer comes to him because he expects to gain something. But that doesn't mean he doesn't get anything! As Abram grew in his relationship, he received much, more and more, but this gradually ceased to be the reason why he followed God. (In current jargon, we could say that the more he prospered, the more he abandoned the prosperity teaching.) In the beginning, however, the fulfillment of his needs was a strong impetus, and as everyone else he expected it from his idols first. Would he have not chosen them if they could have given him more than this invisible God?

Another level of relationship is a co-worker relationship. Most people who are still struggling in their relationship with God at the level of a child want to become co-workers in order to earn God's friendship and experience the level of reciprocity. Man wants to present God his commitment, success, his deeds, so as to receive praise and acceptance. It leads to an endless cycle: unfulfillment - efforts - the expected fulfillment has not come - unfulfillment - even greater effort - again emptiness - unfulfillment - effort - ...

One must become a friend of God before a servant of His.