In Luke 16:9, Jesus says, “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.” This verse comes in the context of the parable of the dishonest manager, where a manager is accused of wasting his master’s possessions. Knowing he will lose his job, the manager reduces the debts owed by his master’s debtors, so they will treat him kindly when he is let go. The master surprisingly commends the manager for his shrewdness in looking out for his future, even though his actions were dishonest. Jesus then states in verse 9 that his followers should also use “unrighteous wealth” to make friends for themselves, so that when that wealth is gone, they will be welcomed into “eternal dwellings.”
There are a few key points to understand from this verse:
- The “unrighteous wealth” refers to money and possessions in this world. Jesus calls it unrighteous because worldly wealth can often lead people into greed and dishonesty, as it did with the manager in the parable.
- “Make friends for yourselves” means to use that wealth generously for others, especially the poor and needy. As Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
- The purpose is so that “they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” This means the friends made through generous giving will vouch for or welcome believers into heaven one day.
- Giving generously now results in heavenly rewards later. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21, storing up treasure in heaven should be the priority over earthly, fading wealth.
In summary, Jesus is teaching His followers to be generous with the resources God has given them, in order to invest in the eternal over the temporary. By using wealth to bless others now, especially the poor and needy, believers are making friends who will gratefully welcome them into “eternal dwellings” when this life is over. This burns the values of the kingdom of God into the hearts of Christ-followers, reorienting them away from earthly treasure and toward heavenly treasure.
Now let’s look at some key lessons we can learn from this verse:
1. We are stewards, not owners, of the wealth God gives us
All that we have – our money, possessions, resources – ultimately belong to God, not to us. As David declared, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1). We are temporary managers or stewards of whatever God entrusts to us during our lifetimes. Jesus reminds us wealth does not truly belong to us – it is “unrighteous wealth.” So we should hold it with an open hand, not a clenched fist.
2. Material wealth should be used for eternal, not just temporal, purposes
Since earthly wealth does not last forever, Jesus tells us to use it for eternal impact. Just as the shrewd manager used the master’s wealth to secure his future when he would no longer have that job, believers should use the resources God grants them now to bless others in ways that will outlast this life. Giving generously should be linked to our desire to store up heavenly treasures (Matt. 6:19-21).
3. Generosity demonstrates the sincerity of our faith
Using wealth generously and compassionately shows our hearts have been transformed by Christ to care for others as He would. As John the Baptist said in Luke 3:11, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” James emphasized true religion involves caring for widows and orphans in their distress (James 1:27). Our generosity provides concrete evidence of true spiritual conversion (James 2:14-17).
4. Blessing others now results in rewards in heaven
Jesus promises our generosity will be remembered. When we use wealth to win friends by meeting earthly needs, we reap eternal benefits in heaven. As Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink” (Matt. 25:35). The good works Jesus enables us to do will receive great rewards in the age to come (Luke 14:14).
5. We reorient our lives when we live for eternal rewards
Jesus’ teaching dramatically reframes a believer’s perspective on material wealth and giving. We recognize everything belongs to God and is for use in His kingdom. We shift from living for immediate, personal benefits and embrace delayed gratification for eternal dividends. Our lives take on new meaning and purpose when we invest in heavenly treasures that will never perish.
6. Believers have the opportunity to use wealth for good
While dangers like greed and pride often accompany money, Jesus modeled using financial resources for God’s glory and others’ good. We have the opportunity to steward wealth well, funding ministry, giving to needs, and supporting missions. We can choose to use what God provides generously for kingdom purposes rather than selfishly hoarding it all.
In summary, Jesus’ statement in Luke 16:9 gives us a radical new perspective on material resources. We are called to live openhandedly, using finances and possessions now to love others and invest in eternity rather than consumption for self. Our earthly assets can make an impact that resounds through heaven when we heed Christ’s words.
Common Questions about Jesus’ Teaching in Luke 16:9
1. Does this verse teach salvation by works?
No, Scripture clearly teaches salvation is “not a result of works” but received “by faith” (Eph. 2:8-9). However, genuine faith will always be evidenced by fruit that brings glory to God (Matt. 7:17-20). Our works do not earn salvation but demonstrate true, living faith (James 2:14-26). Generous giving and care for others provide visible proof of salvation but are not the basis for justification.
2. Is Jesus telling us to “buy” our way into heaven?
Absolutely not. Only the blood of Christ provides atonement for sin and reconciliation with God (Rom. 3:24-26). Jesus is stressing generosity as an outcome of conversion, not a prerequisite for heaven. When our lives are transformed by the gospel, the grace we have received overflows to others (2 Cor. 8:9). Christ’s sacrifice fully pays what we never could.
3. What if I don’t have much money to give?
Living generously applies just as much to less affluent believers. Jesus praised the poor widow who gave two small copper coins, worth only a few cents (Mark 12:41-44). God does not measure gifts solely by their financial value but by the giver’s willingness to sacrifice (2 Cor. 8:12). We can all give generously of our time, abilities, and resources, whatever amount the Lord has provided.
4. How can we know our motives are sincere in giving?
We must examine our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). Giving to earn applause from others, relieve guilt, or leverage future reciprocity reveals impure motives. We should aim to give cheerfully, freely, consistently, according to our means, and without expecting anything in return besides eternal rewards from God (2 Cor. 9:6-15). The Holy Spirit works in believers to make giving a joyful response of gratitude to God.
5. Who are the ‘friends’ we make through giving?
The immediate context implies the poor who receive aid will welcome benefactors into heaven. But Scripture also indicates angels rejoice over one repentant sinner (Luke 15:10). Ultimately, as we give generously from a converted heart, we store up rewards in heaven with God Himself (Matt. 6:20). So the “friends” are the heavenly beings and God Himself whom we exalt and glorify through giving.
Other Relevant Bible Passages on Wealth and Giving
Here are some other helpful passages that provide biblical perspective on how followers of Christ should view wealth and generosity:
Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
Psalm 50:10-12
“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”
1 Timothy 6:7-10
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
James 5:1-6
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up for treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.”
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
In summary, Jesus’ statement about making friends through worldly wealth provides key insights about how we should view material resources in light of eternity. As His followers, we are called to hold earthly possessions with an open hand and use them generously to bless others, store up eternal rewards, and advance God’s kingdom. Our giving provides evidence of genuine faith and reshapes our priorities toward the eternal versus the temporal.