Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 16:9

"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." — Luke 16:9 (ASV)

I say to you. I, Jesus, say to you, my disciples.

Make friends for yourselves. Some have understood the word friends, here, as referring to the poor; others, to holy angels; and others, to God. Perhaps, however, the word should not be considered as referring to any particular persons, but is used in accordance with the preceding parable. For in the application, our Savior uses the language characteristic of the steward's conduct to express the general truth that we are to make a proper use of riches.

The steward had managed his financial affairs to secure future comfort for himself, or to find friends who would take care of him beyond the time when he was dismissed from his office. That is, he would not be destitute, cast off, or without comfort when he was removed from his office.

So, says our Savior to the tax collectors and those who had property, use your property to secure happiness and comfort beyond the time when you are removed from the present life. In using your money, have reference to the future. Do not use it so that it will not be of any use to you in the future; but employ it so that, just as the steward found friends, comfort, and a home by his wisdom in using it, so you may, after you are removed to another world, find friends, comfort, and a home—that is, may be happy in heaven.

Jesus, here, does not say that we should do it in the same way that the steward did, for that was unjust; but only that we should secure the result. This may be done by using our riches as we should; that is, by not allowing them to entangle us in cares and perplexities dangerous to the soul, engrossing our time, and stealing away our affections; by employing them in works of mercy and benevolence, aiding the poor, contributing to the advancement of the gospel, bestowing them where they will do good, and in such a manner that God will approve the deed and will bless us for it.

Commonly, riches are a hindrance to piety. To many they are snares; and, instead of positively benefiting the possessor, they are an injury, as they engross the time and affections, and do not contribute at all to the eternal welfare of the soul. Everything may, by a proper use, be made to contribute to our welfare in heaven. Health, wealth, talents, and influence may be so employed; and this is what our Savior doubtless means here.

Of the mammon. By means of the mammon.

Mammon. A Syriac word meaning riches. It is also used as an idol—the god of riches.

Of unrighteousness. These words are a Hebrew expression for unrighteous mammon, the noun being used for an adjective, as is common in the New Testament. The word unrighteous, here, stands opposed to the true riches in Luke 16:11, and means deceitful, false, not to be trusted. It often has this meaning. (See 1 Timothy 6:17; Luke 12:33; Matthew 6:19; Matthew 19:21).

It does not mean, therefore, that they had acquired the property unjustly, but that property was deceitful and not to be trusted. The steward's wealth was deceitful; he could not rely on its continuance; it was liable to be taken away at any moment. So the wealth of the world is deceitful. We cannot calculate on its continuance. It may give us support or comfort now, but it may be soon removed, or we may be taken from it, and we should therefore use it to derive benefit from it in the future.

When you fail. When you are left, or when you die. The expression is derived from the parable, referring to the steward's discharge, but it refers to death, as if God then discharges His people, or takes them from their stewardship and calls them to account.

They may receive you. This is a form of expression merely denoting that you may be received. The plural form is used because it was used in the corresponding place in the parable (Luke 16:4). The direction is to use our worldly goods so that we may be received into heaven when we die. God will receive us there, and we are to employ our property so that He will not cast us off for abusing it.

Everlasting habitations. Heaven, the eternal home of the righteous, where all our wants will be supplied, and where there can be no more anxiety, and no more removal from enjoyments (2 Corinthians 5:1).