Oh, so we’re not supposed to love money, but making friends with “unrighteous mammon” is fine? How exactly does Jesus want us to handle this in Luke 16:9, and what does the Bible say about balancing wealth and faith?
In response to the questions I received on this subject and the term “friend with mammon”: In Luke 16:9, Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.” Here, “mammon” refers to wealth or material possessions.
Jesus uses “unrighteous mammon” to describe worldly wealth, which, due to its temporal and potentially corrupt nature, is not inherently righteous. The phrase “make friends” suggests using money wisely to build relationships and help others in ways that will have eternal value.
As Christians, we are called to prioritise our relationship with God over money. We must avoid loving money (1 Tim. 6:6–10) and instead trust in God’s provision (1 Tim. 6:17–19). We should plan and save wisely (Prov. 21:20), manage our resources diligently, and care for our families and others (1 Tim. 5:8; Heb. 13:16). Our faith compels us to be generous and ready to give (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16). Ultimately, we are to serve God rather than wealth (Luke 16:13).
So, while we are not to love money or let it rule our lives, Jesus acknowledges that wealth is a tool and can be used for good. The idea is to use worldly wealth to do good deeds, support others, and build meaningful relationships that reflect God’s love and values. This way, our temporary, material wealth is transformed into something with eternal significance.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk