What did Jesus mean when He spoke of making friends by worldly wealth (Luke 16:9)?

Response

In Luke 16:9, Jesus says, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.” Other translations present the verse differently:

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (KJV).

“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (ESV).

“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes” (NET).

Jesus’ statement about using “worldly wealth” to “gain friends” comes at the end of the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-8). The idea of using “mammon” or “unrighteous wealth” to make friends in the world may seem inappropriate, and Jesus’ endorsement of such a concept appears peculiar, to say the least. To grasp Jesus’ meaning in verse 9, we need to comprehend His message in the preceding narrative.

Firstly, the parable of the unjust steward is narrated for the disciples’ benefit. The parable is somewhat unconventional, and the context is unusual. In most of Jesus’ parables, the main character symbolizes God, Christ, or another positive figure. In this parable, all the characters are wicked—the steward and the man whose possessions he oversees are both unsavory individuals. Jesus is not urging us to imitate these characters’ actions; instead, He aims to convey a spiritual truth.

In the parable, a wealthy man summons his steward and notifies him that he will be dismissed for mishandling his master’s assets. The steward takes action to secure his future once he’s unemployed. He makes some astute deals behind his master’s back.: If you agree to shelter me when I am eventually put out, I will immediately reduce the debt you owe my master. When the master becomes aware of what the sly servant has done, he commends him for his “shrewdness.”

In His application of the story, Jesus says, “For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light” «And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. », (Luke 16:8). Here, Jesus contrasts the “sons of the world” (i.e., unbelievers) and the “sons of light” (believers). Sadly, unbelievers tend to be wiser in the things of this world than believers are about the things of the world to come. The unjust steward cheated his master but in so doing made friends of his master’s debtors. Those people were later obligated to care for him once his livelihood ran out.

Then comes Luke 16:9: “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” Jesus encourages His followers to be generous with their wealth in this life so that in the life to come their new friends will receive them “into eternal dwellings.” This corresponds to Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

In referring to “worldly wealth,” Jesus is not saying that believers should gain wealth dishonestly and then be generous with it. Worldly here means “having to do with life on earth.” In your earthly life, “make friends”; that is, bless others. Use the monetary resources you have to reach out to others. The result will be friendships that endure into eternity: the souls we reach in this world will welcome us into “eternal dwellings” someday.

The principle Jesus tThe teaching in Luke 16:9 is that all our possessions should be utilized to advance God’s kingdom. We act as stewards of God. Just as the dishonest steward in the parable was “shrewd” in benefiting himself materially, we should also be “shrewd” in benefiting ourselves (and others) spiritually. It is our responsibility to utilize the resources entrusted to us by the Master to further the Master’s objectives. We have been given material possessions to benefit others eternally.

If God is our Master, then our wealth belongs to Him. The faithful steward whose Master is God will use the wealth entrusted to him to strengthen the kingdom of God. The New Living Translation conveys this message effectively: “Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” «And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. », (Luke 16:9).

When we contribute to missions, support our local church, or give to charity in the name of Jesus, we are utilizing “unrighteous, worldly wealth” to advance the kingdom of God and exalt the name of Christ. We are acting “shrewdly” in our dealings in this world when we focus on the “eternal homes” we will one day share with our “friends” in Christ.