PrevLuke 16:9Next

Luke 16

And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

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.

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.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

What does Luke 16:9 mean?

Explanation

This verse (Luke 16:9) comes from a parable Jesus tells His disciples, commonly known as the Parable of the Shrewd Manager or the Parable of the Unjust Steward.

The manager, who is about to be fired for squandering his master's resources, acts shrewdly by reducing the debts of those who owe his master so that when he is removed from his position, these people will welcome him into their homes.

The specific verse suggests that Jesus is recommending His followers use "mammon," a term for wealth or material possessions, in a way that gains favor with others, potentially leading to spiritual benefit or "everlasting habitations." The verse indicates a form of prudence in using earthly resources to secure eternal friendships or rewards.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of Luke, composed around AD 80-110, which addresses both a Christian audience and potential Gentile converts.

During this time, wealth was often associated with social status and power, but Jesus frequently spoke against wealth when it became an idol or led to injustice.

The cultural setting was one in which patron-client relationships were common, and reciprocity was a societal norm.

Therefore, the concept of using wealth to secure future security would have resonated with Jesus' audience, who understood the importance of alliances and hospitality.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints can be derived from this passage:

Evangelical Perspective

Evangelicals may view this verse as an admonition to use earthly resources for kingdom purposes. By helping others and making friends through generosity, they believe you can lay treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

Social Gospel Perspective

Those following this perspective might stress the importance of social justice and utilizing wealth to aid the less fortunate, thereby achieving spiritual righteousness and community.

Prosperity Gospel Perspective

While this interpretation is more controversial, some may take the verse as a suggestion that God blesses shrewd financial stewardship that also considers long-term spiritual benefits.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied in the following ways:

Encouraging generosity and use of personal wealth to help others.
Reminding believers to be wise in their financial dealings, with eternity in mind.
Suggesting that relationships formed through kindness and material assistance can have eternal significance.

Cross-References

Matthew 19:21: Jesus tells a rich young ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor and then follow Him for treasure in heaven.
Matthew 6:20: Instructions to lay up treasures in heaven, where it is safe from theft and decay.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: Encouragement for the rich to be generous and therefore "store up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age."

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

"Mammon" (μαμωνᾶς) is an Aramaic word for wealth or property.
"Unrighteousness" (ἀδικίας) can imply moral wrongness, but in this context, it may simply mean 'worldly' or 'not inherently righteous.'
"Everlasting habitations" (αἰώνιοι σκηναί) refers to eternal dwellings, invoking imagery of a permanent and divine place of rest.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient cultures, like Rome or Greece, the notion of reciprocal hospitality and generosity leading to a lasting legacy was common.

Good deeds, philanthropy, and making friends through wealth could secure a favorable memory or social status after death.

In religious texts like the Vedas and teachings like Buddhism, one's actions, generous or otherwise, impact one's future or next life.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern economics and social sciences may study the effects of generosity and reciprocity in society, including how they can foster trust and social networks.

While "everlasting habitations" likely refers to a spiritual or theological concept beyond the scope of empirical science, understanding the role of societal structures and altruism is a subject of contemporary scientific inquiry.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that the manager was commended not for his dishonesty but his prudence, applying that principle for Christians to act with foresight for eternal benefits.
The MacArthur Study Bible might emphasize the wisdom of the manager in preparing for the future and relate this to how believers should use their resources with eternal perspectives in mind.
The IVP New Testament Commentary Series may discuss the paradox of using ‘unrighteous mammon’ to gain righteous ends and the ultimate lesson of faithfulness with what is entrusted to us.

Luke 16

Luke 16

What does Luke 16:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Evangelical Perspective

Social Gospel Perspective

Prosperity Gospel Perspective

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 16:9 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Evangelical Perspective

Social Gospel Perspective

Prosperity Gospel Perspective

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?