Luke 16:9
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 · King James Version
Meaning
Jesus' words in this verse can be quite puzzling at first glance. He encourages his followers to make friends with the "mammon of unrighteousness," which refers to worldly wealth or material possessions that are gained through dishonest means or unjust practices. However, what Jesus is teaching here is the importance of using our resources in a way that aligns with God's kingdom. By making friends with wealth that is tainted by sin, we can leverage it for good causes and ultimately further the work of God on Earth. The end goal is not to accumulate wealth for ourselves, but to use it to build relationships and make a lasting impact in the lives of others. In doing so, we store up treasures in heaven and secure a place in everlasting habitations for ourselves.
Theological Overview
When looking at the theological interpretation of the verse "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness," we see a unique perspective on using worldly wealth for spiritual purposes. The term "mammon" refers to wealth or possessions that can be seen as a false god or an idol that distracts from the worship of the true God. In this context, Jesus advises his followers to use their material wealth in a way that serves a higher purpose, by making friends out of it. This can be interpreted as using wealth to help others in need, support charitable causes, or advance the Kingdom of God. By doing so, believers can ensure that their money is not serving greed or selfish desires, but is instead being used for eternal purposes. The phrase "that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations" suggests that by using their wealth for good, believers can store up treasures in heaven and secure a place in eternal dwellings. In essence, this verse emphasizes the importance of using earthly resources in a way that aligns with God's kingdom and leads to eternal rewards.
Luke 16:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles.
World English Bible
I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.
Douay-Rheims
And I say to you: Make unto you friends of the mammon of iniquity: that when you shall fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I say vnto you, Make you friends with the riches of iniquitie, that when ye shall want, they may receiue you into euerlasting habitations.