I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9
“Point of view is important in these closing verses. The master commends the manager for his shrewdness, while the narrator of the parable, Jesus, identifies the manager as “dishonest.” That is, the master does not commend his manager for his dishonesty, but for his prudence in business affairs…
“Children of this age,” he observes, understand how the world works and use it to their benefit; why do “children of the light” not understand the ways of the kingdom of God? “This age” draws on the characterization of time divided into two aeons, the present epoch and the one to come. Collocated with “their own generation,” this age is implicated with faithlessness and wickedness…
If they did understand the ways of the new aeon, how would it be manifest in their practices? Simply put, they would use “dishonest wealth” to “make friends” in order that they might be welcomed “into eternal homes.” Wealth is characterized as dishonest in the same way that the manager was. Both belong to this aeon; indeed, in speaking of its demise, Jesus insinuates that mammon has no place in the age to come.”
Joel B. Green in The Gospel of Luke (NICNT; Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 1997) 593.
I want to honor my mom today. It’s her birthday. And for as long as I can remember, she’s used any worldly wealth she has to make friends for eternity. What about you?
This is not a trick question. It’s an open book test. The book is the Bible and the test relates to our handling of possessions. Will we used it for earthly or eternal purposes?
Happy birthday Mom! Thanks for your example that mammon must have “no place” in our lives now as it has no place in the life to come. Thanks for living for eternity. I love you.