Christ calls us to use earthly resources for an eternal purpose.
The phrase “make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon” does not mean buying salvation, but faithful stewardship of temporary blessings for the good of people and the glory of God.
The words of Luke 16:9 often raise questions because they sound unusual. In Ellen White’s book Christ’s Object Lessons, this thought emphasizes the principle of Christian stewardship: everything we have is given to us by God not only for our own benefit, but for service. Jesus does not approve cunning or bribery. He teaches that money, property, time, abilities, and influence should be directed toward what has eternal value.
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting homes” Luke 16:9
What is “unrighteous mammon”
The expression “unrighteous mammon” does not mean that every coin is sinful in itself. In the biblical context, it refers to the material means of this fallen world. They are temporary, unreliable, and often become an occasion for greed, injustice, and self-exaltation. That is why Christ calls them “unrighteous”—not because it is impossible to use them rightly, but because they belong to an order of things corrupted by sin.
Jesus immediately shifts the focus from money to character. Material things become a test of faithfulness. The way a person handles what is small and temporary shows whether he or she can be entrusted with more—the spiritual treasures of the Kingdom of God.
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” Luke 16:10-11
From the standpoint of Adventist teaching, a person is not the owner, but the steward of God’s gifts. Everything belongs to the Lord, and we only temporarily manage the property He has entrusted to us.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” Ps. 24:1
What does “make friends for yourselves” mean
Jesus is not speaking about manipulating people. To “make friends” means to use your opportunities in such a way that they become a blessing to others. When a believer feeds the hungry, supports the needy, gives to mission, helps spread the gospel, supports the church and ministries of mercy, then his earthly resources serve eternal results.
These “friends” are people who were served through the love of Christ. In eternity it will become clear that many souls received light, help, or hope because of someone’s generosity and faithfulness. People do not save us, nor do they open heaven for us, but God uses our service as an instrument of blessing for others.
Jesus expressed this same thought elsewhere when He called people to shift the center of gravity from the temporary to the heavenly.
“Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” Luke 12:33-34
Ellen White repeatedly emphasized that God entrusts means to His people so that through them the suffering may be supported and the gospel proclaimed to the whole world. This is the true purpose of Christian stewardship.
What does “when you fail” mean
These words point to the moment when earthly resources come to an end. This may happen through death, loss of property, or at the end of the world’s history. A person cannot take along money, status, or possessions. Then the true value of where one’s strength and resources were invested becomes evident.
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” 1 Tim. 6:7
That is why Scripture warns us not to put our hope in wealth, but to rely on God and be rich in good works.
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share" 1 Tim 6:17-18
What are the "eternal dwellings"
"Eternal dwellings" are an image of God's Kingdom, the future life with Christ. It is important to understand: our offerings do not save us. Salvation is only by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. But true faith is always revealed in works of love and mercy. Therefore, the proper use of possessions is not the cause of salvation, but the fruit of a converted heart.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" Eph 2:8-9
However, the next verse shows that a saved person is called to good works.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" Eph. 2:10
So, the meaning of the expression is this: use everything temporary in such a way that it serves the eternal. Let your resources become instruments of love, truth, and salvation for others. Then, when earthly things pass away, the fruits of faithful service will remain in God's Kingdom.
In conclusion, it is worth asking ourselves several practical questions: Do my resources serve only comfort, or also the cause of God? Do I support those who are in need? Do I help the preaching of the gospel? Christ calls us even today to transform the perishable into the eternal through sacrificial love, generosity, and faithfulness in small things.
