Scratch that, it always depends on what Lex gets out of it.
Take Whitney for example. Late night football game with the Sharks in Metropolis with his old man who was dying and for that one Lex�d almost gotten approval in the wary eyes of Jonathan Kent himself. And a farm boy sitting on the bleachers talking to the girl of his dreams. Lex reassured himself with the fact that they�d been talking about the benefits of being friends with Lex Luthor. Exactly what he wanted.
Well, exactly what he wanted that he could bring about himself. His other needs could only be answered by a miracle and that he hadn�t been able to buy. He was still learning to get over that disturbing fact of life. Meanwhile, he concentrated on ensuring the farm boy�s happiness with simple things like the girl�s gratitude.
Lex knew where he stood, after all.
People always want things. Whether or not Lex will give them what they want usually depends on how easy it is for him and what he gets out of it.